Mortuary Hilts

The mortuary hilt sword is a cut-and-thrust weapon that emerged as a result of changes in sword designs during the time of the English Civil Wars. It was usually double-edged, with a half-basket hilt and a straight blade around 90 to 105 cm in length. Mortuary hilt swords are sometimes called the English half-basket, and they were Oliver Cromwell's favorites. The actual sword he owned now resides in the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, England. On Swords.com you will find a highly detailed and historically accurate replica of Oliver Cromwell's mortuary sword, as well as other quality English half-baskets.