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Medieval Europe - Weapons
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Medieval Europe - Weapons
by Joshua Bakulikira
In this presentation, we will take a look at the evolution, designs and information concerning the more commonly used weapons in Medieval Europe.
What were the most commonly used weapons in Medieval Europe?
Weapons
Swords and bows are known to be the most commonly used weapons in Medieval Europe. These weapons are commonly assosciated with the medieval ages because they were weapons most useful in hunting and murdering, and they were also able to be used by infantry and cavalry.
Medieval Swords
Swords
Medieval swords were very effective in the middle ages because they were extremely versatile, as well as being a fast moving weapon that could harm people by slicing, stabbing or thrusting and could also be used to defend. They were also much easier to carry than other weapons. Because of there complexity and design, swords had a very high value, and were mainly used by knights. Swords were highly effective against cavalry because despite enemies being on the higher ground of a horse, they had an advantage in the length of their sword. In the 15th century, the use of swords started to greatly decline because armour was too strong, which meant that these swords couldn't do any real damage against proper armour. They were often substituted for maces, which were weapons that were very powerful and could smash bone and flesh.
Evolution and Design of Medieval Swords
Over the medieval era, armour began to get more advanced and designed to counter basic swords, which meant that it these swords wouldn't do much damage unless there was some changes made. Chain mail, which was a common type of armour back then, did very well in defending against the slashes of swords so later in the 13th century, so swords were designed to be wider at the base and have a deep seeted taper, which means that the edges of blades were very narrow. Swords also became much sharper at its point. This change was made so that these swords could be more effective in piercing through the chain mail. Thin blades were more used for cutting, and tapered blades were used for stabbing and attacking enemies. At first, these medieval swords were made of copper, but this was a huge design mistake because copper was easy to bend, so eventually they were more commonly made of bronze, which was much stronger and more durable. In the 11th century the Norman sword became common, which was a sword made from carbon steel. Carbon steel is strong durable, but unfortunately vulnerable to rusting.
Image of Medieval Sword
The image shows how the medieval sword was used to stab and thrust into opposing armies with its sharp point and narrow blade.
Image of Medieval Sword
Medieval Bows
Bows
Bows are one of the most versatile weapons, because of its multiple different variations, and can be used in many different ways. Just like swords, bows were a very efficient weapon in Medieval Europe, with the longbow being introduced into Europe in the 13th century, while the crossbow was introduced into Europe during the 10th century in Italy. Neither of these types of bows were commonly used in war until the 14th century. These bows were very dangerous because when fired by a skilled archer could send an arrow about 250 metres far. Crossbows were generally preferred over normal bows, because conventional bows took a lot of effort to keep it stretched out while aiming. Longbows were preferred over crossbows despite crossbows being much more powerful, because longbows were faster to shoot and were still capable of penetrating armour and were also much better suited for infantry.
Evolution and Design of Medieval Bows
Design and Evolution of Medieval Bows
There has been extremely little change of materials that make crossbows and longbows, because since the middle ages yew wood has been used to make longbows, and birch, oak or hard maple wood is generally used to make crossbows. There has mainly just been changes in the shape of the bow. These changes were made so that bows could be able to release arrows much quicker, and send them over a much further range than most other weapons are capable of.
Primary Source
This image shows the advantages of longbows on high ground, as he is above the enemy, and has a free shot at the faces of the opposing army. This shows how bows can be used on cavalry.
Primary Source
Images of Medieval Bows
This above image shows the design and appearance of a medieval crossbow, and how it was designed to fly arrows over 250 metres far. And the image below shows the same for a longbow.
Images of Medieval Bows
References
Bibliography
- Medievalists.net (2020). The Ten Most Important Weapons of the Middle Ages. [online] Medievalists.net. Available at: https://www.medievalists.net/2020/01/most-important-weapons-middle-ages/ [Accessed 17 August].
- Battle-Merchant Blog. (2020). Das Schwert im Wandel der Zeit. [online] Available at: https://www.battlemerchant.blog/en/swords-european-history/ [Accessed 24 August].
- History for kids. (n.d.). Medieval Weapons - The Middle Ages - Facts for Kids. [online] Available at: https://www.historyforkids.net/medieval-weapons.html [Accessed 17 August].
- Darksword Armory. (2012). The Evolution Of the Medieval Sword In the 13th - 15th Centuries. [online] Available at: https://www.darksword-armory.com/the-evolution-of-the-medieval-sword-in-the-13th-15th-centuries/ [Accesed 19 September].
- Medievalists.net (2015). Why was the Longbow so effective? [online] Medievalists.net. Available at: https://www.medievalists.net/2015/10/why-was-the-longbow-so-effective/ [Accessed 19 September].
- Encyclopedia.com. (2019). The Bow in Medieval Warfare | Encyclopedia.com. [online] Available at: https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/bow-medieval-warfare [Accessed 20 September].
- Anon, (n.d.). The History Of Swords - Rise, Decline And Resurgence. [online] Available at: https://about-history.com/how-effective-were-swords-in-the-middle-ages/#:~:text=Around%20the%2015hth%20century%2C%20swords [Accessed 19 September].
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