chappe

plural chappes

1. A piece, typically of leather, fitted to the crossguard of European swords of the later medieval period, attested mainly in art, of uncertain purpose.

   From the chappe to three fourths the length of the blade runs a pronounced center ridge.

   2013 August 6, J. Bernhardt, The Watchers: End of Paradise, Author House, →ISBN, page 139

   2 more examples

   […] part of the cross-guard. Often these chappes - a word, incidentally, that means “capes” - were decorated in needlework with the arms or device of the owner.

   1997, R. Ewart Oakeshott, A Knight and His Weapons, page 82

   […] with no passion for warfare, perhaps it was a little incongruous that I had been crafting swords since I was a boy. […] The design of the grip was particularly important to me, as was finding an appropriate jewel for the pommel, and I signed each of my creations with the symbol of the pyramid on the chappe, an autograph to mark the sword as one of my own.

   2020 August 11, John Boyne, A Traveler at the Gates of Wisdom: A Novel, Hogarth, →ISBN

   Synonyms: rainguard

2. alternativeAlternative form of chape (“metal at the bottom of a scabbard”).

   The chappe helped prevent the scabbard's end from being worn down and kept the sword's tip from poking through. The chappe originally meant a flap extension of the grip itself.

   1998 November 1, John Clements, Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods And Techniques, Paladin Press

   1 more example

   In everyday situations, swords were worn with or carried in a scabbard. […] Until about 1310, no metal fitting was put at the top, only a chappe at the point end to prevent it from wearing away, but after this date there was always[…]

   1997, R. Ewart Oakeshott, A Knight and His Weapons

plural chappes

1. alternativecountableuncountableAlternative form of schappe (“silk”).

   chappes and spun silks

   1 more example

   For quotations using this term, see Citations:chappe.