(Editor's Note: This is the third in a three part series on weapons of the heraldic age, their construction and basic use. Part three deals with three different types of weapons: 1) those available to the peasant or surf (the common man); 2) some more unusual weapons of soldiers or knights, and; 3) polearms.)

Ball and Chain or Flail: Usually consisted of a short handle with a ball and chain attached. The advantage of this weapon was the increased momentum the user could impart to the blows. The disadvantage was how easily the chain could be entangled and taken away from its user.

Battleaxe: The old Battleaxe was the weapon of choice of the large muscular warrior, especially when a large amount of room was available to employ it. The weapon frequently had a wooden handle of a five-foot length with a leather thong on the bottom. The top consisted of a double-sided axe usually with the addition of a spike on top of the handle. When the warrior had room and could literally swing the weapon freely it could clear a radius of 8 feet around friend or foe.

Crudgel or Club: Just as it sounds, this weapon was only a club and its main use was in smashing blows to disable or knock the opponent unconscious.

Hammer (warhammer), Martel, Horseman's Pick: A weapon consisting of a hammer head on one side and a spike on the other, sometimes mounted on a short handle for use in one hand and other times mounted on a short shaft for use in foot combats. Warhammers were frequently used in duels or in combats concerning points of honor.

Handaxe: The Handaxe or hatchet as it is known today was largely used by conscripts and newly recruited Militia. It was a common weapon and used by most peasants and serfs in their daily routine. As such, it required very little or no training to use. The main disadvantage of this weapon was its reach and its limited striking power.

Lance (weapon used in the joust): The long shaft of ash tipped with a sharp iron or steel tip, usually between 9 and 14 feet in length. A vamplate was developed near the end of the 15th century to protect the hand and arm, and lance rests were built into breastplates and shields from the late 14th century onwards to help steady the lance as the horse galloped towards the target. The lance was not usually used for real combat.

Lochaber Axe: The Lochaber axe was the choice polearm of the Scot. The axe had an blade mounted under the end of the shaft. Frequently this weapon had either a hook in the blade or added to the top of the shaft used to unseat mounted opponents.

Mace and Morning Star: A short mass weapon not unlike a heavy club. After the 14th century the club end was often made of metal and enhanced with spikes.

Pike: The long spear, with a small steel head. Up to 20 feet in length, they were popular with the Scots during the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. The use of compacted pikemen was a powerful counter to cavalry, but was usually checked with arrows or missile fire.

Polearm: The general term for a group of pole-mounted weapons usually featuring a cutting or slashing weapon on one end. The halberd, guisarm, bill, bec-de-corbin, and poleaxe are all specific kinds of polearms, rising in popularity during the 15th and 16th centuries among the infantry. The main use of the polearm was in defense by the infantry against cavalry.

Poleaxe, pollaxe, polaxe: A knightly staff weapon, its head being an axehead, usually balanced by a hammerhead, and surmounted by a steel spike. The shaft was protected by steel checks and the hand of the user by a steel rondel. The Poleaxe was used from the 15th century for warfare.

Spear: The oldest form of staff weapon, intended primarily for thrusting. The war spear usually had a long, leaf-shaped or triangular head. In common use during the entire time period, the spear ranged in length from five to nine feet. Anything longer than this is usually considered a Pike.

Staff: The Staff was a commoner's weapon, as it only required a piece of wood to make. It could be used quickly and had a good reach but was not normally deadly without bludgeoning. The Staff was frequently wrapped in metal studded leather and sometimes had a metal point added to the end.

by BW, January, 2000

Back to Weapons of the Heraldic Age Main Page

Part One: Weapons of the Heraldic Age

Part Two: Weapons of the Heraldic Age

Part Three: Weapons of the Heraldic Age

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Lochaber Axe