XIV–XV a. ilgieji kovos peiliai (kardokšniai) Vilniaus Žemutinėje pilyje
14th–15th Century Long Knives in the Vilnius Lower Castle

Summary/Abstract: As the interest in the weaponry of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is growing, one of the blade weapon types remains undiscussed – long knives (German Bauernwehrs, Hauswehrs). The aim of this article is to present a comprehensive analysis and to estimate the dates of two long knives and a couple of pieces that may belong to this type of weapons, the knives and pieces being found in the territory of the Vilnius Lower Castle during an archaeological research. After the evaluation of the circumstances of discovery of the weapons, stratigraphy, analogies and particularities of construction, the longer weapon may be dated the first half – middle of the 15th century, while the shorter one may be traced back to the end of the 14th century – the beginning of the 15th century. The shape of the shorter long knife is simpler and the sharpening marks are only on one side. Thus, it is likely that apart from the combat purposes, the earlier weapon was also used in household, which also explains its German name. Separately found crosspieces should be dated back to a similar period. Shell-shaped crosspieces are quite common in European weapons from the analyzed or later period and such a shape may be related to the cult of St. James. Contemporaneous analogies of these weapons from other European countries witness constant contacts of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with the West not solely at the political level but also in warfare and daily life.

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