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A 'baldric' (also 'baldrick', 'bawdrick', 'bauldrick' as well as some other, mostly rare or obsolete, variations) is a belt worn around the waist and over one shoulder that is typically used to carry weapons (such as swords). Baldrics are well-suited toward carrying larger weapons of this nature due to the support system offered by its unique design. The word baldric can also refer to any belt in general, but this usage is less popular.
Historically, baldrics were used to confer the rank of the one wearing it. They are still used to this day, but typically only with formal military wear.

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In popular culture

See also

In popular culture

★ Benedick, from William Shakespeare's ''Much Ado About Nothing'', says "But that I will have a recheat winded in my forehead or hang my bugle in an invisible baldric all women shall pardon me".

★ A baldric features prominently in Chapter 2 of Alexandre Dumas, père's ''The Three Musketeers'', in which D'Artagnan has his nearly-disastrous first encounters with Porthos (who is wearing one), Aramis, and Athos.

★ The yeoman in Chaucer's ''Canterbury Tales ''is described as wearing a "baldrick of bright green."

★ Jean-Luc Picard admonishes Worf in '': "Straighten your baldric".

★ The baldric of Pallas plays a key part in the Aeneid, leading Aeneas to kill Turnus.

★ "On a baldric he wore a great horn tipped with silver that now was laid upon his knees."((Boromir:The Fellowship of the Ring))

★ Baldrics are also mentioned in the poem the Lady of Shalott by Alfred Lord Tennyson. The Lady's true love Sir Lancelot is described as wearing one: " And from his blazoned baldric slung".

★ He-Man's famous costume includes a baldric and loincloth.

See also

★ Baldrick is a character in the BBC comedy series ''Blackadder ''played by Tony Robinson.

★ The Sam Browne belt is similar in appearance and function to the baldric.