13th-14th Century baselard, found in the River Meon, Titchfield, Hampshire.
The Titchfield Baselard was found while dredging the River Meon. Typical features are its double edge and the two equal-length cross pieces which give the hilt an ‘H’ shape. The grip has not survived; it could have been made of wood, horn or bone. There are many variants of spelling of Baselard, such as Basilard in the early 14th century; the word derives from the original place of origin of such knives, Basel in Switzerland