What was the main weapon used by knights for close combat?

The story behind the answer

Knights often began a charge with a couched lance, but once the lines crashed or the lance broke—as it frequently did—the fight shifted to melee. At that point they relied on a versatile, always-at-hand blade designed for both cutting and thrusting. Balanced for quick recovery and usable on horseback or on foot, it was the dependable sidearm for most close combat situations, especially for finding gaps in armor.

Beyond battlefield utility, this weapon embodied knighthood itself. Ceremonies of dubbing used it, and nobles invested heavily in finely crafted blades. Early knights favored the one‑handed arming type with a shield; by the late Middle Ages, longer two‑handed versions appeared alongside full plate. Maces and axes had niche strengths, but none matched this blade’s ubiquity and adaptability.