From the Maciejowski Bible, A scene of intense mounted combat. While many of the swords throughout the Bible are similar, there are wide variety of different weapons depicted. Note the two maces on the left in this panel and the second appearance of a large unusual cleaving blade cutting into a great helm in the forefront.  Note also the large upper arm wound on the same knight. in the back an axe chops into a helmet.  On the far right two spears or lances stick through a rider's body.   As usual, the arms are raised on high and the center of the sword blades are the striking portion. While the impact of maces on horseback could pierce mail, that swords of this age could do so as well is debatable. (Whether the wounds are depicted as occurring accurately or are exaggerated is debatable. Medieval artwork such as this would have been created by monks, who may or may not have been exposed to the realities of war, but it would also have been viewed by the ruling class who was. Also, the subject matter of illustration "ancient Biblical events" may have allowed for some embellishment.)

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