Sword and sheath, owned by Matthew Craig of Plowland

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This basket-hilted sword (pictured here with its leather sheath) was owned by the Covenanter Matthew Craig of Plowland. Craig carried the sword at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679.

The sword is inscribed on both sides of the blade with 'Andrea Ferara', the name of a legendary medieval armourer in Italy. This name was often spuriously used as a mark of quality.

At the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in South Lanarkshire, a 10,000-strong government force under the leadership of the Duke of Monmouth defeated a smaller army of Covenanters.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-002-241-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.LA 86
• Date: 17th century
  
• Material: Leather sheath. Inscription: On both sides: ANDREA FERARA
  Sword / sheath
  
• Dimensions: 1020 mm L x 112 mm W
  
• What: Sword / sheath
  
• Subject: Swords (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Andrea Ferrara (Possible maker of blade)
  
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: Basket-hilted sword with a leather sheath, inscribed Andrea Ferara on both sides
  
• References:
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