Medieval Life and Time Research Project on Weapons

Published 16 Dec 2016

The medieval times are considered as some of the most violent times in the history of mankind where the greed of power and money created many battlegrounds for the deadly battles. European countries built many castles in order to preserve their resources.

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The army of each king included many different statures of soldiers including knights, archers, foot soldiers etc. and each had different types of weapons based upon technique and priority.

Knights were considered to be the best of the warriors and foot soldiers were always there to get their order done. Knight used very different weapons from the ordinary soldier. Kings were supposed to fulfill all the needs of their soldiers. Knights used special knight weapons, medieval swords, broadsword, falchion sword, great sword, long sword, medieval shields and lance. In addition to that knights also used other small weapons as well.

The descriptions of other weapons which are commonly used in battles are given below;

Daggers: They are the pointed knives which are shorter in length.

Maces: Maces are two steel balls attached on the wooden handle. They are quite heavy and can be dangerous.

Lance: This is long steel headed spear like weapon which is used on the horseback. Knights are specialized to use this weapon effectively. It was extensively used in 11th century by the knights.

Swords: They are of different kinds and the most used weapon of the medieval times because of its effectiveness.

Broad Swords: The history of broad sword goes back to the 6th century. It is two edged blade which is think at the base around 2-3 inches. Its length is around 30-45 inches and weighs around 5 to 6 pounds.

Falchion Swords: This sword was used extensively in the crusade wars by the knights. They are short and heavy single blade edge. It was used around 11th century.

Great Sword: This sword was actively used in the 16th century. It was a heavy weapon and ranged more than 50 cm in handle with an addition of around 20 cm for the handle. It was weighed around 6-10 pounds.

Long Sword: Long sword was a highly efficient weapon in the Renaissance period around 1350 to 1550 and in the late medieval times. It was also called as a hand and a half sword. It has length of around 50 cm.

The Scimitar: It is made as a curved blade which has a sharp edge. It was also used in the crusade wars.

Cutting Sword: This sword is most commonly known as the weapon of Vikings as it history goes back very far. It has very heavy and had two sharp blades on both sides. The handle was not that long.

Longbow: Longbow has been used the history for thousand of years and is used for various purposes not only in wars but also for hunting. They are single piece of wood having a point steel or iron on the top. It is very effective in killing large animals as well.

Battleaxe: Battleaxes have also been used by foot soldiers to great affect on the enemy. The wooden handle of battleaxe is around 150 cm with a curved blade of around 10 inch. It was used in the battle of Hasting in 11th century.

Crossbow: It was another deadly weapon like the longbow but is more deadly than the longbow.

Halberd: It was a very dominating weapon in the 14th and 15th century.

The skills which are developed in the knights and foot soldiers of using these weapons require training in high facility areas so that they can achieve highest possible efficiency in using them. The training period was very long and required around fourteen years to complete at least. Moreover, first the soldier becomes a page and then depending upon their abilities and results shown. The training period continues and the page becomes a squire and then a knight. Knight is considered to be the best post of a soldier in the army.

Works Cited

  • Falchion Sword http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/falchion-sword.htm
  • Nossov, Konstantin. Ancient and Medieval Siege Weapons: A Fully Illustrated Guide to Siege Weapons and Tactics. New york: The Lyons Press, 2005.
  • Oakeshott, Ewart. A Knight and His Weapons. New York: Dufour Editions, 1998.
  • DK Publishing. Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor. Dallas: DK ADULT, 2006.
  • Oakeshott, Ewart. The Archaeology of Weapons: Arms and Armour from Prehistory to the Age of Chivalry. New York: Dover Publications, 1996.
  • Murrell, Deborah. Weapons (Medieval Warfare). World Almanac Library, 2008.
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