Three basic Greatswords. 

The Bastard is the smallest and lightest Greatsword. It dates back to Demon’s Souls. There it is found around the Gates of Boletaria and can be dropped by Scale Miners who are also smiths. In DS1 it’s sold by Andre. In DS2 it can be found in the Forest of Fallen Giant, is dropped by soldiers there, and sold by McDuff. In DS3 it’s an initial weapon sold by Greirat. In Elden Ring it’s sold by the Nomadic Merchant just before the broken wall which once  would’ve guarded Castle Morne from the rest of the island. It’s a basic early Greatsword; you can try to link it to the Misbegotten who are “Radagon’s Bastards” if you believe in that, though that’s about it. Historically the bastard sword developed alongside armor, meant to penetrate and bust armor as it one got better; they evolved against each other just like how prey evolves to fend off predators and those predators evolve to better kill those prey. 

The Claymore is an excellent all-round Greatsword. Dating back to Demon’s Souls it is dropped by Blue-Eyed Knights and sold by the Dregling Merchant. In DS1 it’s found on the bridge the Hellkite Drake terrorizes. In DS2 it’s sold by Vengarl’s Head. In DS3 it’s found on the platform where a wyvern perches over, terrorizing the area; seems like a running joke; and in Elden Ring it’s found in Castle Morne. Curiously its default skill is Lion’s Claw, a Redmane skill. It could just be a relic of the Castle’s previous masters/warriors, or it could be a little pointer towards the Misbegotten, their Leonine form in particular. The Misbegotten are referred to as Radagon’s Bastards, somewhere, I forgot. Was it the files or cut content? Radahn is a son of Radagon as would be the Misbegotten. The Misbegotten have similar jumping moves but are not nearly as acrobatic. Lions do have a deeper connection to the Hornsent culture and Radagon’s red hair links him to the Crucible via its color. There’s also the whole symbology of lions in Alchemy but that’s outside the parameters of this post. The Claymore is a late medieval sword of Scotland, a country that likely inspired the game’s Highlanders. Odd since they don’t seem connected the sword. Lions are a great beast like the bears which Highlanders hunted. It’s possible they’re connected. Godfrey is likely from the Highlands as the Highland axe is below his portrait in Stormveil, the Axe Talisman depicts Godfrey’s warriors (wearing Highland armor; also guarded by a bear), and bear faces are on Godfrey’s boots. I find it likely Godfrey’s enemy who swore to take revenge came from the Highlands too. Clan slaughters weren’t rare; I also believe Godfrey represents King Arthur and a caricature of a Viking Jarl. That’s to say I believe there is some historical inspiration behind his deeds. 

The Iron Greatsword is carried by Leonine Misbegotten and is more strength oriented than other Greatswords. Its weight plays well with immense strength, thus it’s wielded by Leonine Misbegotten. There is one more iron weapon in the form of the Iron Spear, though there is no direct connection between its wielders (Fallen Hawk Soldiers). It’s unpolished since the Misbegotten are kept as mistreated slaves. That, and it’s possible the Misbegotten don’t know or have the materials to upkeep their equipment. Hewg knows how to smith, but the Leonine Misbegottens’ eyes are full with red rage; I feel as though people are too afraid to take their toys away. 

Weapons: Bastard, Claymore, and Iron Greatswords