Feared and respected, the Gallowglass were the professional men-at-arms of an Irish Chieftain. They formed a stable pillar of heavy armor and fearsome weaponry in the typically lightly-equipped Irish medieval and Renaissance forces. Gallowglass is an anglicisation of gaelic galllaigh – meaning foreign, young warriors. The original Gallowglass were mercenaries, most hailing from the Scottish Gaelic-Norse clans who had been dispossessed of their lands during the various Wars of Scottish Independence. These landless noblemen and their clansmen brought their skills and expensive, well-crafted equipment in their flight into Ireland and Irish chieftains recognized their value, granting them lands, employment and rights to local supplies in return for seasonal military expertise. Many chieftains employed Gallowglass as their bodyguards, since these men of foreign lands and clans were unconnected to the inter-clan intrigues and feuds of Ireland, in time, many talented Irish Gaels would also find employ as Gallowglass alongside a steady stream of foreign Scots. They first appear in Ireland in 1259, their purported numbers increasing into the several thousands in the early-16th century. They would see use until mid 17th century, when the proliferation of gunpowder weapons would make obsolete the role of the heavy shock infantryman. The presence of the Gallowglass changed Irish history, for their military prowess was instrumental in bringing the Norman invasion of Ireland to a standstill, for such well-equipped, professional warriors were required to match the famously martial Normans. Even the Norman lords of Ireland would, in time, employ their own Gallowglass.
The Gallowglass usually wore chainmail over padded armor with a steel helmet. Their two trademark weapons were the Sparth Axe – a likely holdover from their distant Scandinavian ancestry, and the large, two handed swords reminiscent of the Scots Claymore. A Gallowglass would typically be accompanied into battle by two young boys, one to carry his throwing spears and another with his personal provisions in tow.
This Gallowglass sword, by Deepeeka is a large two handed sword in the Irish style with its iconic ring pommel. The blade is of high carbon steel. The hilt and pommel are of steel and the grip is wrapped in tight, brown leather.
Erik –
Beast This sword is beast. I wanted a two-handed great sword to add to my collection and this was just the one. Large, heavy and very strong. Once I sharpened it, I was impressed by the damage it could do…I ended up cutting straight through a water filled jug and about an inch down into the tree stump it was set on just by using a vertical swing. Cool looking, functional and doesn’t break the bank. Easy to grip and I love the ribbed handle with brown leather. The pommel is also very solid. Great buy.
Sir K. –
get ir Awesome sword, heavy armor breaker.just what I need for the apocalypse n collection the authentic blade is remarkable a great combat blade. Hard to master to to the weight but worth the money.
Q –
Not bad but could be better crafted. When I first bought this I was happy with it, but after using this for a few weeks the pommel started becoming loose & the grip later also became loose. Rather unhappy that the grip & pommel have loosened, otherwise great sword.
Mike M. –
Couldn’t ask for anything better Proud owner of many Deepeeka swords, but this one is in a class by itself. The construction of this blade is absolutely wonderful. The rivet through the ricasso is surely a wonderful feature that you don’t see in other two handed swords. The Sword is heavy, well made, and is at a very acceptable price. A weapon sure to make my ancestors proud – both in Ireland and the US. The Gaels be a wailing today.
Baron Cambell –
Deepeeka at its best this sword is a heavy beast, mine got the name sword smasher because the first time i used it in combat it snapped my opponents blade right in half. However Swordsmasher lived up to her name a little too well and i was forced to retire her to save the wallets of my associates. Even so this sword is one of my favorites in my collection from its design to how it handles, it takes a strong person to wield this. some down sides are it’s very heavy and the handling is a bit rough, and while the blade handles impact well the handle does not and will rotate when taking heavy blows, and lastly the “fork at the end of the cross guard was chopped of my an english bill (it was a heavy blow though.)Finally this sword is a good buy, it will look good on your wall, and great for practicing although, be careful when using it in sparring.
Ryan –
Easily one of the best swords of its size for the price. The 42 inch EN45 blade is evenly tempered and quite solid which alone makes it worth recommending either as is or as a very affordable project blade.
Donovan (verified owner) –
This was exactly what I was looking for, its not overly pricy, and the quality shows that, but still looks and feels great as a good decorational piece!
Sebastian Rindal (verified owner) –
An amazing sword for the price! some marks here and there but for the price and size, worth it