Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-13842697-20130729162413/@comment-202.156.8.15-20131126122152

There was probably a sword of Ysgramor too, just that we all don't see it. Long weapons like battleaxes were all good for horseback (most practical, very deadly if used in conjunction with the momentum of the horse) and field fighting (not as good as a sword and shield, but decent), but Ysgramor probs went CQC in rooms, houses, caves with a sword and shield (try swinging a battleaxe in a confined space!). Many warriors always carry a back up one hand weapon (mostly a sword, which is well balanced for fast attacks and not as off balance as an axe or mace, without the very short reach of a dagger) for close in fighting, mainly to avoid getting stuck, hurting their comrades, to attack faster and use a shield.

In fact, Ysgramor probably had a bow for long range as well. In fact, proper archers always carried a sword or axe (one handed) for fighting once their arrows were used up or the enemy came too close. Maces were mostly used by priests and monks.

So, there is no problem with Ysgramor's shield if we accept that he used different weapons for different situations