Medieval WeaponryMedieval WeaponryBy Evan Brust and Jacob By Evan Brust and Jacob

LamLam

Weapons were important in the Weapons were important in the middle ages because of chivalry.middle ages because of chivalry. Knights needed weapons to defend their Knights needed weapons to defend their

lord's manor and to take over land. lord's manor and to take over land. Weapons of the middle ages can be Weapons of the middle ages can be

divided into categories:divided into categories: Siege weaponsSiege weapons PolearmsPolearms Bludgeoning/Cutting WeaponsBludgeoning/Cutting Weapons

Siege WeaponsSiege Weapons

Battering ramBattering ram Used to knock down castle walls. When Used to knock down castle walls. When

war was going on, it was a big deal to be war was going on, it was a big deal to be able to bypass a castle’s walls. Battering able to bypass a castle’s walls. Battering rams helped to do that.rams helped to do that.

BallistaBallista An early version of a crossbow working An early version of a crossbow working

with tensionwith tension

Siege WeaponsSiege Weapons

MagonelMagonel A type of catapult. Had a giant arm with A type of catapult. Had a giant arm with

a bowl-shaped bucket at the end which a bowl-shaped bucket at the end which launched objects over the castle walls.launched objects over the castle walls.

Siege WeaponsSiege Weapons

TrebuchetTrebuchet Another type of Another type of

catapult with a catapult with a lever and sling. lever and sling. Could throw Could throw stones weighing stones weighing up to 200 pounds up to 200 pounds up to 300 yards.up to 300 yards.

Siege WeaponsSiege Weapons

The siege towerThe siege tower A cover to A cover to

protect an protect an attacker scaling attacker scaling the castle walls the castle walls on a ladder.on a ladder.

PolearmsPolearms

PolearmPolearm Blade mounted on a pole four to Blade mounted on a pole four to

fourteen feet long. The heads could vary fourteen feet long. The heads could vary between hammers, spears, or axes.between hammers, spears, or axes.

Bec de CorbinBec de Corbin A small polehammer used in the 1400’s.A small polehammer used in the 1400’s.

PolearmsPolearms

Bec de FauconBec de Faucon A polearm with a hammer head and a A polearm with a hammer head and a

spike. Between 5 and 7 feet long.spike. Between 5 and 7 feet long. HacheHache

A cutting blade with a spike or hammer A cutting blade with a spike or hammer head on the back.head on the back.

HalberdHalberd A pike with an axe head.A pike with an axe head.

PolearmsPolearms

GlaiveGlaive An 18” butcher knife on a pole.An 18” butcher knife on a pole.

PikePike Sharp blade on a poleSharp blade on a pole

PoleaxePoleaxe Short axe blade on a pole.Short axe blade on a pole.

SpearSpear A staff with a sharpened head.A staff with a sharpened head.

Bludgeoning/Cutting WeaponsBludgeoning/Cutting Weapons

Battle axeBattle axe Had a crescent shaped blade. Could cut Had a crescent shaped blade. Could cut

off limbs with a single blow.off limbs with a single blow. MaceMace

Made of wood or metal shaft with a head Made of wood or metal shaft with a head of stone, iron, bronze, or steel. Reduced of stone, iron, bronze, or steel. Reduced effectivness of shield.effectivness of shield.

Bludgeoning/Cutting WeaponsBludgeoning/Cutting Weapons

BillhookBillhook Axe with a broad curved knife. Axe with a broad curved knife.

FlailFlail Steel ball on a wooded handleSteel ball on a wooded handle

QuarterstaffQuarterstaff Long shaft of hardwood used to strikeLong shaft of hardwood used to strike

Bludgeoning/Cutting WeaponsBludgeoning/Cutting Weapons

WarhammerWarhammer Had a hammer on one side and spike on Had a hammer on one side and spike on

the other.the other. Club/BatonClub/Baton

Sword mad of wood or whaleboneSword mad of wood or whalebone ScimitarScimitar

Sword that had a curved blade ending in Sword that had a curved blade ending in a sharp pointa sharp point

Bludgeoning/Cutting WeaponsBludgeoning/Cutting Weapons

BroadswordBroadsword Had a two-edged blade 30-45 inches.Had a two-edged blade 30-45 inches.

Falchion SwordFalchion Sword Had a short, heavy blade with a single Had a short, heavy blade with a single

edgeedge GreatswordGreatsword

Two handed sword with a blade of 50-72 Two handed sword with a blade of 50-72 inchesinches

Bludgeoning/Cutting WeaponsBludgeoning/Cutting Weapons

LongswordLongsword ““hand and a half sword”hand and a half sword” 44-50 inches44-50 inches

As you can see, the middle ages had As you can see, the middle ages had many different weapons. The most many different weapons. The most important weapon, however, wasn’t important weapon, however, wasn’t any one of these. Most important was any one of these. Most important was the knight that handled these the knight that handled these weapons. If there had been no weapons. If there had been no trained knights, weapons would not trained knights, weapons would not have mattered because there would have mattered because there would have been nobody to use them. have been nobody to use them. Weapons were essential to conquests Weapons were essential to conquests and defense against them.and defense against them.