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THE EVOLUTION OF MEDIEVAL WEAPONS

By: Drew Petty

THE END! THANKS FOR WATCHING :)

  • This sword design went through the High Middle Ages without much change
  • With the advent of plate mail the slashing methods of the earlier medieval swords were ineffective
  • The sword had to become a thrusting weapon, using its point over its edges.
  • The sword was shortened and made stiffer often with reinforced sharp points.

The Medieval Sword

The classic medieval sword was the weapon of choice for those who could afford it

  • Swords were usually passed down through generations and famous swords were often named
  • Mastering the sword took years of practice
  • The sword was a weapon of nobility
  • They typical medieval sword in the Early Middle Ages had straight parallel edges and a blunt tip
  • Lengths varied but the average sword was about 2 and a half feet long
  • Different pommels, hilts, and guards can be found throughout europe
  • Around the 8th century the a new process for forging swords was used that resulted in a stronger sword.
  • In the 9th century swords began to be designed with a tapered end
  • Around this time as well, swords blades began to be made out of strong flexible steel.

Medieval Battle Axe

Halberd

  • The halberd is technically a pole-arm although it developed from the axe.
  • It is essentially an axe head on the end of a long pole, typically six feet.
  • It served the same defensive purposes as a pike bu was better equipped to deal with plat mail
  • The Battle Axe was popularized by the Vikings but soon became a staple on the medieval battlefield
  • It retained, however, it's brutal connotation as it was banned from the tournaments of the High Middle Ages
  • This classic Viking weapon underwent major evolutions as it adapted to the changing battle scene of medieval Europe.

The Medieval Spear

The Battle Axe!

  • This battle axe is the stereotypical two handed axe wielded by the 11th century vikings
  • Over time the blade of the bearded axe developed into a cutting edge nearly a foot long

The spear was the most widely used medieval weapon because of it's cheap cost and effective use with little training

The Francisca

The Bearded Axe

  • The type of axe known as the bearded axe became popular in the 8th and 9th centuries.
  • It's lower edge was greatly extended down resembling a beard
  • This axe was influenced by the blade shape of the Frankish throwing axe

It had 3 main uses which were all utilized by the medieval soldiers.

  • The axe was actually first employed by the Franks as a throwing axe
  • The Francisca was no more than 16 inches long and weighed about 10 pounds
  • By the 8th century this weapon had died out in favor of the bow

Where does our

information come from?

1. A thrown projectile (Javelin)

The Javelin

  • Typically shorter than the average spear
  • Warriors would carry multiple javelins
  • Could also be used for melee combat
  • French Angon

2. A cavalry weapon (lance)

The Lance

"The typical cavalry lance was now made of strong, hard wood, about four meters in length; its leaf-shaped metal head had two cutting edges and a sharp point. It was also generally outfitted with a wing attachment behind the lancehead."

1. Grave Burial Sites

2. Graphical Depictions

3. Written Descriptions

3. A stabbing weapon (spear)

The long-spear or pike

  • The long-spear could reach lengths of up to 18 feet
  • It evolved in response to the cavalry charge around the 14th century
  • Purpose was to outrange the lance
  • Largely a defensive weapon only good for the initial charge

Other Types of Medieval Weapons

By observing the changes in the spear, the sword, and the axe we can get a good picture of the evolution of medieval weapons. That’s not to say that there were no other developments in weaponry.

Polearms

Bludgeon weapons

  • Besides the pike and halberd there were many other polearms developed in the High Middle Ages to be effective counters to cavalry.
  • The poleaxe consisted of an axe on one side, a spear on the top, and a hammer on the back. This weapon was adopted by knights as a noble weapon for use off their horse
  • Bludgeon weapons were effective at maiming opponents through armor.
  • The most primitive kind was the club which was used by common peasants.
  • A very common bludgeon weapon was the mace which was popular among infantry and knights alike.
  • Other variants of the mace included the morning star, the war hammer, and the flail

The use of the flail in medieval Europe

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