chappe

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

[…] 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.

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

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

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[…]

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.

Alternative form of schappe (“silk”).

chappes and spun silks

For quotations using this term, see Citations:chappe.