and knighthood, virtually any foot soldier or fighting man could employ a sword and was expected to know something about doing so. Many early fencing teachers were themselves commoners, and urban militias made up of ordinary citizens were frequently equipped with swords. Knights might also have retinues of non-knightly retainers who were armed with swords and mercenary bands were a common element of medieval warfare. By the late 15th century entire fighting guilds and schools run by common tradesmen and craftsmen trained and taught the use of all manner of swords. There were several attempts at different times in different parts of Europe to restrict the wearing or owning of swords by commoners (or their use in judicial duels), but such attempts at arms control were frequently violatedsharp, though not always to same degree along their entire length. 12. Curved swords were not known in Medieval and Renaissance Europe. The Myth of Cutting vs. Thrusting Swords False. Curved blades indigenous to Western Europe were known since the time of Ancient Greece and some types were used until the 20th century. During the Medieval and Renaissance eras several types of curved blade were used by both knights and common soldiers. Some of these resemble Eastern scimitars and sabres while others were unique forms. These swords go by names such as falchion, badelaire, braquemart, storta, and many more. See: 13. Fighting with a sword and shield was the typical method of Medieval foot-combat. False. Despite their ubiquity in popular media's depictions of Medieval combat, and their close