The “beak” of the Bec de Corbin’s hammer head sets this weapon apart from other polearms and similar one-handed weapons like the horseman’s pick. This includes the fact that Bec de Corbin was used with two hands instead of one. The French palace guards at the King of France’s “Maison du Roi” frequently used bec de Corbin, which is Old French for “raven’s beak.” It is one of the most unique and underappreciated weapons in history. As a combined arm, it combines the features of a stabbing weapon, a striking weapon, and a polearm with a long reach.
Bec de Corbin
Type of weapon:
Polearm
Other names:
Raven’s beak, crow’s beak
Region of origin:
France, Knighthood, Heraldry
Distribution:
Europe
Overall length:
Round 6-7 ft (180-210 cm)
Material:
Wood, leather, metal
What Distinguished the Bec de Corbin?
Bec de Corbin was most distinguished by its blunt hammer head.
The Bec de Corbin bears a striking resemblance to the poleaxe. It consists of a hammer head and a long pickaxe tip, along with a vertical spike mounted on a rod of varying heights.
Unlike the war hammers and the Swiss Lucerne hammer used in combat, the Bec de Corbin was primarily used to strike with its pickaxe tip, while the hammer head was used to provide balance to the blow and to increase the force of the impact. This vertical spike was often shorter than the Lucerne hammer’s.
Origin and History of Bec de Corbin
Although they shared a similar design, the horseman’s pick was distinct from the Bec de Corbin in the length and shape of the vertical spike. The horseman’s pick often did not feature a spike-like vertical blade for thrusting.
Italian halberd with similar design elements, c. 1525: The spear point (upper part) and the raven’s beak (left part).
The Bec de Corbin was also a generic medieval term used to identify any medieval edged weapon with a hammer and a vertical spike modeled on the beak of a raven.
This popular cold weapon was made up of a shaft that was at least 20 inches (50 cm) long and had a hammer head along with a beak-like spike on the opposite end that was curved downward.
Because of their similarity, Bec de Corbin was frequently misidentified as a Lucerne hammer or halberd. So much so that the French name “Bec de Corbin” is actually used directly in other languages without a translation since it best describes this infantry and cavalry weapon.
The weapon saw widespread usage in France throughout the 15th century and later in the rest of Europe.
The European nobility of the period utilized this weapon, together with the poleaxe and the spadone (a longsword), in court fighting and duels. The name “bec de corbin” may also refer to a variety of different sorts of war hammers, including mauls and horseman’s picks.
During the 1660 victorious arrival of Louis XIV and his new bride Marie-Thérèse in Paris, the Gentlemen with Bec de Corbins (or lucerne hammers) paraded before the queen, as seen in this image from an engraving made in 1662.
For instance, the poleaxe, and more especially its hook on the back, also goes by a similar term, “bec de faucon” (literally “falcon’s beak” in Old French). Ordinary gentlemen of the King’s House
The Bec de Corbin was first employed as a weapon by royal guards in the 16th century. Furthermore, these hammers are typically found in museums due to the availability of exceptionally well-crafted reproductions.
Despite its noble status, this weapon was actually considered unchivalrous since its beak could be used to burst through the enemy’s armor, resulting in serious injury.
Officers of the “Maison du Roi,” the guard in charge of overseeing the French monarchy, were their main users. The figure of this weapon was often used in blazons and heraldry. The common gentlemen of the Maison du Roi (“King’s House”) were known as “Gentlemen with a Raven’s Beak” as a result of this weapon.
Consequently, the main factor that distinguished a Bec de Corbin was its association with the nobility, unlike the horseman’s peak war hammer from the late Middle Ages. Although the horseman’s peak was also intended for piercing through metal armor, it did not possess the same level of prestigious “status.”
Lucerne Hammer vs. Bec de Corbin
The Bec de Corbin distinguishes itself from the Lucerne hammer in three distinct ways:
Firstly, it features a shorter and sturdier beaked spike, which serves as its primary fighting element.
Secondly, the vertical spike of the Bec de Corbin is shorter compared to that of the Lucerne hammer.
Lastly, the hammer end of the Bec de Corbin is typically blunt, while the Lucerne hammer’s hammer head is often designed with additional protrusions.
Bec de Corbin’s Design
Knights fighting with a poleaxe and Bec de Corbin at Arundel Castle, England.
The key feature of this weapon is a beak spike that is slightly inclined, while on the opposite side, there is a hammer, and at the top, there is a straight, relatively short spike that resembles a pike.
This weapon derived its name from the raven due to the weapon’s head resembling the bird. The designers of the weapon intentionally manipulated its form by incorporating a front beak, a vertical spike for thrusting—which emulated the feathers on the back of a raven’s head—and a blunt back piece with numerous ridges. The overall shape resembled the bird after which it was named.
Like the battle axe, the Bec de Corbin took inspiration from a blacksmithing and mining tool and was so powerful that it was typically held with both hands. Despite its noble status, the weapon was actually considered unchivalrous since its spike could be used to burst through the enemy’s armor, resulting in serious injury.
Hussar with a Bec de Corbin, 18th century, by Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich (1712–1774).
The pole on most models was between six and seven feet in length. The hammer head was about four or five inches in diameter, and the spike at the tip was around six inches in length. The total length of the weapon was therefore estimated to be between 6 and 7 feet.
With a length of around 6’6.7″ (2 m), the Bec de Corbin was similar in overall design to its cousin, the Lucerne hammer, with its vertical spike at the top. But this spike was much shorter than the piece on the Lucerne hammer.
Bec de Corbin in Popular Culture
Polehammer in Mordhau (2019), which looks like a combination of Lucerne hammer and Bec de Corbin. (Image: u/-Helvet, Reddit).
This polearm weapon is often featured in many medieval-themed films, documentaries, and TV shows. Along with that, the weapon is also featured in video games. Among them are Diablo II (2000), Assassin’s Creed: Unity (2014), Mordhau (2019), and The Elden Ring (2022).
Bec de Corbin at a Glance
What makes the Bec de Corbin different from other polearms?
The Bec de Corbin has a unique design, with a beak-like spike mounted on a rod of varying heights, a long pickaxe tip, and a hammer head. This design allows it to be used as a stabbing weapon, a striking weapon, and a polearm with a long reach. The beak of the hammer head sets this weapon apart from other similar weapons.
How was the Bec de Corbin used in combat?
The Bec de Corbin was primarily used to strike with its pickaxe tip, while the hammer head was used to provide balance to the blow and to increase the force of the impact. Its vertical spike was often shorter than the Lucerne hammer’s. It was used by the French palace guards at the King of France’s “Maison du Roi” and was commonly used by European nobility in court fighting and duels.
How did the Bec de Corbin differ from the horseman’s pick?
Although they shared a similar design, the horseman’s pick was distinct from the Bec de Corbin in the length and shape of the vertical spike. The horseman’s pick often did not feature a spike-like vertical blade for thrusting. Additionally, the Bec de Corbin was primarily used to strike with its pickaxe tip, while the hammer head was used to provide balance to the blow and to increase the force of the impact.
What is the difference between the Bec de Corbin and the Lucerne hammer?
The Bec de Corbin distinguishes itself from the Lucerne hammer in three distinct ways: firstly, it features a shorter and sturdier beaked spike, which serves as its primary fighting element. Secondly, the vertical spike of this weapon is also shorter compared to that of the Lucerne hammer. Lastly, the hammer end of the Bec de Corbin is typically blunt, unlike the Lucerne hammer’s pointed end. Despite the similarities in design, the two weapons had different primary uses and were associated with different classes of nobility.
The horseman’s pick was a one-sided protrusion on a cold weapon used for delivering a pinpoint strike. It was both a blunt and an edged weapon. The spike or beak of the horseman’s picks could be flat, faceted, or round in cross section, and could be of varying lengths, but was more commonly curved downwards, similar to a pickaxe. The horseman’s pick was often used in tandem with a hammer’s head, and sometimes a hatchet’s head. While long-handled variants, like the Lucerne hammer, were common in Western and Central Europe and the Far East, they were never employed in most other parts of the world.
Horseman’s Pick
Type of weapon:
War hammer
Other names:
Bec de corbin, War hammer, Polish nadziak
Region of origin:
Central Asia
Distribution:
Widespread use in Europe and the Middle East
Overall length:
around 6-7 ft (180-210 cm)
Material:
Iron, bronze, metal-reinforced handle
Origin of Horseman’s Pick
A Swedish horseman’s pick of the cavalry.
Like the war hammer and war axe before it, this weapon was derived from a non-military instrument that was adopted for use on the battlefield: the pickaxe. Contacts between Europeans and Ottoman Turkish knights battling in the Balkans in the 14th and 15th centuries led to the rapid spread of the horseman’s pick.
In the middle of the second millennium BC, Krotov culture (the Bronze Age people of Western Siberia’s Altai Mountains) warriors appeared in the forest-steppe region of the Ob-Irtysh water system, brandishing weapons made of elk horns with a head resemblance to a long-billed bird. This weapon was both a status symbol and a practical tool.
The Late Bronze Age (1200 BC) saw an upgrade for the ancestor of the horseman’s pick: This timeline coincided with the beginning of the Iron Age and the emergence of iron implements for this weapon.
Different types of horseman’s picks. The one on the left comes with an axe head. From left to right: Italy, end of 15th century; southern Germany 16th century; Germany, early 16th century.
Late Bronze Age nomads in Central Asia used bronze horseman’s picks, which had a tube-shaped body with a flat and long, leaf-shaped spike (similar to a dagger) attached to the side of the weapon. Their spikes had raised ridges or grooves on their surface, which provided additional stiffness and strength to the weapon.
The horseman’s pick was used like an axe because its spike was placed at a modest angle with respect to its rod. This design angled the handle and the spike, shifting the point of impact to the handle and reducing recoil.
A German Reiter (“black rider”) with horseman’s pick, engraving by Abraham de Bruyn 1577.
Iron’s widespread usage allowed for horseman’s picks to be designed with a slightly curved striking area that followed the path of the hit. In addition to that, the butt of the spike was attached to a hammer’s head (called the “face”) for the same purpose.
This final form of the weapon was officially defined as a “striking weapon” by archaeologists. Metal caps (or sockets) were included with all horseman’s pick handles in the Pazyryk civilization (Nomadic Scythian Iron Age culture).
The existence of such a detail implies the use of sophisticated fencing methods in order to own this weapon.
The English also developed their own version of the horseman’s pick, which was used by their heavy Billmen (the infantry soldiers who carried bills). During the Hundred Years’ War, it saw widespread application, with fruitful results. They used it to rip enemy riders off their horses.
Mechanism of the Horseman’s Pick
From the 1853 book “Antiquities of the Russian State” by F. G. Solntsev.
The horseman’s pick was a relatively short weapon, typically measuring between 20 and 32 inches (50 and 80 cm) in length. Its handle was commonly reinforced with metal bands or, in some cases, entirely made of metal. The weapon weighed between 3 to 4.5 lbs (1.4 to 2 kg).
A horseman’s pick, also known as a war hammer, could have various impact surfaces that were either smooth, spiked, pyramidal, conical, or even decorated with a figure or monogram. The weapon was in the subcategory of hammers and axes.
Late 16th century.
The last two types of impact surfaces, those adorned with a figure or monogram, were specifically designed to make an imprint on a defeated enemy. In addition to the hammer-shaped butt, a horseman’s pick could also be equipped with a hatchet head or a vertical spike for thrusting.
If the pommel of the Turkic buzdygan mace was used in place of the hammer’s head, the resulting weapon would be called a “Polish nadziak.” The nadziak was made entirely of iron, and the total weight of the weapon typically ranged from 3.3 to 4.4 lbs (1.5 to 2 kg). The length of its shaft was between 24 and 32 inches (60-80 cm).
The horseman’s picks in Europe and the Middle East typically had a short shaft made of iron and a handle suitable for one or two hands. There was often an upward-pointing spike. That’s why the horseman’s picks are considered “combined arms.”
This practice originally emerged with the hope that it would lead to more impactful hammers, but the modifications made to them had no discernible effect. Despite this, though, the practice persisted.
The military historian Wendelin Boeheim (1832–1901) claims that the tradition was established to increase the lethality of the hit, but it has instead resulted in the uncomfortable task of searching the bodies of the dead for the sign of the monogram (reference: Wendelin Boeheim, Handbuch der Waffenkunde, page 366).
Usage and History of Horseman’s Pick
The legendary Kuruc leader Hungarian Magnate Emeric Thököly (1657-1705) with his horseman’s pick.
Horsemen often carried the horseman’s pick because of its design for close battle. The weapon was light and compact while nevertheless having powerful penetration. The blow of this weapon only affected a limited area. The horseman’s pick could break through a variety of armor types; however, it often became stuck.
A cavalryman’s hammer strike might rip apart the enemy’s helmet and chest armor, rendering them helpless from the shock of the hit or damaging the armor to the point that the wearer could no longer move or breathe normally.
Stone, wood, and bone (horn) weapons of a similar design to the horseman’s pick have been used by numerous cultures, such as the Australian Aborigines, although these examples are very recent. Since the Bronze Age, metal has been used to make this weapon.
This weapon was recognized in the Middle Ages as early as the 10th century. The weapon was most prevalent in Western European countries that had absorbed Islamic culture.
For instance, the first horseman’s picks made their way to Poland through Turkey and then Hungary. The Old Polish word “czakan” (or czekan) has its root in Turkish (“çakan”), which means “the one that staples.”
The Horseman’s Pick was developed as a weapon to counter plate armor, which first appeared in Europe during the 13th and 14th centuries. As a result, it is likely that Europeans began to use this weapon around this time period.
They were a secondary weapon that cavalry forces used alongside the sword from the middle of the 15th century onward. The weapon became very popular in Europe and Rus’ during the 15th and 17th centuries. The Polish-Lithuanian Hussar cavalry liked them too.
The military authorities of the time (German states, Italian states, and others), as well as Cossacks and atamans (i.e., “leaders” in Turk-Mongols), continued to wield horseman’s picks even after plate armor had become obsolete.
At the time, it was common to receive this weapon with a dagger-like piece attached to the handle. In Poland during the 18th century, the weapon was transformed into a civilian weapon (that is, a weapon of self-defense) called “obuch.” This was in response to a restriction on its use by the Polish aristocracy (szlachta) outside the battlefield during 1578, 1601, and 1620. The obuch had a curved beak for less killing potential.
The reason for the ban was simple. Abbot Jdrzej Kitowicz’s (who lived during the reign of Augustus III of Poland) testimony is eloquent in this respect and explains the deadly side of the horseman’s pick:
“The horseman’s pick (nadziak) is a formidable weapon in the hands of Poles, particularly when used in combat or in a state of heightened emotion. While a saber can be used to inflict devastating injuries, such as severing limbs, tearing flesh, and causing head wounds, the sight of blood can sometimes have a calming effect on the user. However, the blunt instrument of the horseman’s pick could result in fatal injuries without the visible presence of blood. In some cases, the user may continue striking their opponent repeatedly, breaking bones and vertebrae. Nobles who wielded maces have been known to beat their servants to death. Due to the potential danger it posed, the use of the horseman’s pick was prohibited during large assemblies or parliamentary sessions. Ultimately, the horseman’s pick was regarded as a tool of brigands, as a single strike to the temple with the pointed beak could instantly kill the victim.”
The horseman’s pick was a symbol of prestige and honor in Russia. The weapon was carried on horseback during campaigns while fitted into a sheath made of Morocco leather and embroidered with gold or silver.
A horseman’s pick with gold and silver ornaments.
Drawbacks of the Horseman’s Pick
There were benefits and cons to using the horseman’s pick. It was nevertheless a potent weapon, but some potential downsides of it included the following:
Too Heavy: The horseman’s pick was normally forged from metal. Because of this, it was difficult for anybody without considerable strength to use, and consistent usage could be taxing on the body. Thus, it was easier to avoid the weapon.
Not Too Practical: The horseman’s pick was often used to break through heavy plates or mail. However, the weapon often only delivered minor wounds, which seldom resulted in instantaneous death. Swinging too hard frequently resulted in the weapon being stuck in the victim’s armor, making it impossible to retrieve.
Short Range: Because it was a melee weapon, the horseman’s pick was only useful up close. This meant that a skilled opponent with a longer weapon or a greater reach could keep the user at bay.
Complicated Form: The horseman’s pick was powerful against armored foes because of its complex design with numerous sharp edges and points. However, the high level of complexity also increased the time and cost required for manufacturing and maintenance.
Limited Usage: The horseman’s pick was less successful in any other context since it was mainly intended as a weapon for use on horseback. This limited its usefulness in comparison to other general-purpose weapons like swords and spears.
The horseman’s pick was also known as cavalry hammers or knightly hammers in Western Europe and it was often called a war hammer. For example, in Spain and France it was known as a “raven’s beak” (Old French, bec de corbin), in Italy as a “falcon’s beak” (Old French, bec de faucon), in Germany as a “parrot’s beak”, and in Poland as a “nadziak”.
The Tatars employed a horseman’s pick called “kulak-balta,” or “kulyuk-balta.” This means “ear-axe” and probably refers to its use as a tool to pierce the helmets of enemy soldiers. A blow to the temple of the head or behind the ear from the weapon’s sharp beak would kill the person instantly.
The Indo-Iranians used “zaghnal” (crow’s beak), the Persians used “tabar“, and the Afghans and Pakistanis used “lokhar” for the same weapon. The military and civilian use of such weapons persisted in the East for far longer than it did in Europe.
The Indo-Persian region used the term “crow’s beak” to describe the weapon throughout the 17th and 19th centuries. India was a proud producer of combined arms like this.
The North American Indians’ spontoon tomahawks are the equivalent of the horseman’s pick. The Chinese long-pole “dagger-axe” (戈) and the all-iron “fangs” are distant cousins of this weapon.
The fakir’s staff (bairagi) is another type of horseman’s pick well-known in India. Though it looks like a horseman’s pick, the kama-yari, a Japanese battle sickle, is really a piercing and cutting weapon rather than a crushing one.
The Horseman’s Pick at a Glance
What is a horseman’s pick?
A horseman’s pick was a one-sided protrusion on a cold weapon that was both a blunt and an edged weapon used for delivering a pinpoint strike. It had a spike or beak that could be flat, faceted, or round in cross-section, and was often curved downwards, similar to a pickaxe.
What is the origin of the horseman’s pick?
The horseman’s pick was derived from a non-military instrument that was adopted for use on the battlefield: the pickaxe. Contacts between Europeans and Ottoman Turkish knights battling in the Balkans in the 14th and 15th centuries led to the rapid spread of the horseman’s pick.
What was the mechanism of the horseman’s pick?
It was a relatively short weapon, typically measuring between 20 and 32 inches (50 and 80 cm) in length. Its handle was commonly reinforced with metal bands or entirely made of metal, and the weapon weighed between 3 to 4.5 lbs (1.4 to 2 kg). This weapon could have various impact surfaces that were either smooth, spiked, pyramidal, conical, or even decorated with a figure or monogram.
What was the purpose of the horseman’s pick?
It was used like an axe because its spike was placed at a modest angle with respect to its rod. This design angled the handle and the spike, shifting the point of impact to the handle and reducing recoil. It was often used in tandem with a hammer head and sometimes a hatchet head. The weapon was used to rip enemy riders off their horses during the Hundred Years’ War.
During the Renaissance, Italy and the countries surrounding the Holy Roman Empire—essentially Germany and Switzerland—produced a new style of two-handed sword known as the spadone in Italy, the zweihander in Germany, the greatsword in England, the claymore in Scotland, and the montante in Spain and Portugal. Spadone means something like “great sword” in Italian, similar to zweihander, which means “two handed,” and montante means “very large sword.” This cold weapon was one of the most powerful edged weapons ever produced in history.
Spadone was used between the 15th and 17th centuries, most notably in the Swabian War (1499), Italian Wars (1494–1559), and German Peasants’ War (1524–1525). A typical spadone weighed 5.7 lbs (2.6 kg) and had a length of up to 79 inches (200 cm).
Note: For a reason, this sword is more commonly referred to as a zweihander than a spadone in history. But they were pretty much the same weapon.
The Accounts of the Use of Spadone
The spadone (or zweihander) sword that has come to be known as “the sword of Pier Gerlofs Donia” is actually a ceremonial bearing sword (1400-1420), since it is too heavy to be utilized effectively in battle.
We have accounts of skilled swordsmen who wielded the deadly spadone in Renaissance and modern Europe, so while it is true that the romanticization of swordsmanship during the Romanticism period contributed significantly to the overestimation of the abilities of sword-wielding knights, this fact cannot be ignored. Therefore, we need to take into account not just the cultural influences but also the historical facts that have shaped our understanding of swordplay.
1. The most famous spadone users include the Frisian rebel leader and pirate Pier Gerlofs Donia (1480–1520) of the early 16th-century anti-Habsburg rebellion. Donia was legendary for his immense strength and renowned for his ability and effectiveness as a swordsman. His greatsword or spadone stroke was so powerful that it was said he could behead many people at once.
Since 2008, a zweihander (the local name of the sword) with measurements of 84 inches (213 cm) in length and 14.5 lbs (6.6 kg) in weight has been on display at the Leeuwarden Museum.
Roel Woering, business director of Fries Museum Leeuwarden with a spadone (zweihander) sword.
However, other accounts suggest that the scholar Ewart Oakeshott (1916–2002) was probably correct in his assessment that the spadone was most often employed in duels and defensive situations rather than the battlefield.
2.The Knights Hospitaller—outnumbered by Suleiman the Magnificent‘s army during the 1522 siege of Rhodes (100,000 Turks to 7,000 Christians)—relied on mercenary lansquenets (an archaic variant of landsknecht) equipped with spadones to protect the city’s fortifications. Despite losing twenty thousand men in the attack on the Christian stronghold, the Turkish sultan decided to negotiate a surrender in the enemy’s favor.
The French naval officer Prégeant de Bidaux—known for his brutality—stood out throughout this fighting. His spadone could slash through “half a man clean,” and his Herculean frame made him a feared pirate for the Hospitallers. The man was known for his “love for the war and hate for the Turks.”
3. Benedetto Varchi mentions a particular captain Goro in his book Storia Fiorentina. He was a mercenary for the Florentine government who used his two-handed spadone to split two of the Volterran (a town in Italy) rebels who had stormed the town hall.
4. In his autobiography, Benvenuto Cellini, a Florentine bronzesmith and artist, writes of an attempt on his life by French bandits to steal from him when he was in Paris. For his part, he describes using a two-handed spadone in self-defense situations.
The spadone could be used as a cutting tool, an impact weapon, or even as a polearm, depending on the situation. This was because the blade could be extended quite a ways, the weight was distributed, and the hands were well protected because of the large cross guard and the parrying hook, which allowed for a variety of grips.
The lansquenet infantry was often deployed in the shape of human walls, each member keeping a hand on the ricasso of his spadone. This allowed the weapon to be employed in the same manner as a lance, both in halting aggressive cavalry assaults by unseating the knights and in close-quarters combat.
The spadone was versatile enough to be employed as a slashing weapon against unarmored foes or as an impact weapon against downed knights in armor (the misericorde dagger served a similar purpose).
Because of the “second grip” with the “parrying hook” and the blade’s long reach, the sharp tip of the spadone could be directed with pinpoint accuracy to the areas of the body that were not covered by chain mail or plate armor—again, similar to the misericorde.
History of Spadone
Portrait of a man with a spadone, from 1565 until 1570. By Bartolomeo Passarotti (1529–1592), oil on canvas.
During the Renaissance, the spadone (or zweihander) rose to fame as the signature weapon of the first Swiss mercenaries and the Landsknechts, having reached its final form in the countries that surrounded the Holy Roman Empire (founded in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland) in the 15th century. To combat the Swiss, Emperor Maximilian I of the Habsburgs founded the Landsknechts and equipped them with spadones.
As a two-handed sword modified for use in foot duels between medieval knights, the spadone likely originated in Spain (it was known as “espadon” in later times, probably the origin of “spadone” or the other way around). However, the montante or espadon did not grow to the gigantic proportions of their German and Italian counterparts.
During the late Middle Ages, knights would engage in foot duels using this variant of the two-handed sword known as the spadone or zweihander (there is still an ongoing debate on the original name of this weapon). The style of combat changed dramatically with the spadone during the Renaissance.
Heavy and versatile, the spadone was designed for tremendous cutting assaults and soon became standard equipment for the largest infantrymen and the best swordsmen. The soldiers who wielded spadones were stationed at the front of the formation and tasked with clearing the field of enemy pikes with violent strikes so that the rest of their mates could properly step into the enemy field.
When compared to the two-handed sword traditionally used in the swordsman-on-swordsman duel, the spadone was also repurposed as a “pike cutter.” Whether facing an unarmed foe or one armed with a sword, the spadone proved effective as a surrogate for a polearm weapon.
But unlike polearms, its blade swung and vibrated around a lot due to its length. That’s why the weapon masters covered the ricasso (the small, unsharpened part of the blade above the guard) with leather to grip the blade during an attack.
The swordsman would clutch the hilt and ricasso of the spadone, then thrust it forward in a lunge that resembled a spear thrust more than a sword thrust.
Infantrymen armed with spadone or (zweihänder) charge enemy pikemen in the Second War of Kappel (1548).
In Germany, “Doppelsöldner” was a designation given to the Landsknechte soldiers who were proficient with spadones/zweihanders and also arquebuses. They were paid twice as much as their pikemen or halberdier counterparts. The literal translation of “doppelsöldner” is “double pay.
Even before the start of the 16th century, fewer and fewer soldiers were using spadones in combat. The Doppelsöldner’s charge at the pikemen was now a senseless and unnecessary mass suicide due to the growing number of arquebusiers within the ranks of European armies. The book titled The Pike and Shot Tactics 1590–1660 explains this era.
The use of the spadone in duels continued far into the 17th century.
A Spadone’s Design
Traditional Italian fencing treatises stipulate that a spadone must be the same height as its wielder. For comparison, a traditional two-handed sword could be as short as the height of the fencer’s armpit.
The spadone’s hilt was enormous. The grip—often covered in leather—was around 20 inches (50 cm) in length, or something along the lines of four palms. The cross guard with straight arms was of a similar length to that grip, completing the impressive size of the hilt.
The front hand of the swordsman served as a pivot against the handle, while the rear hand, positioned near the pommel, functioned as a lever. This strategic arrangement enabled the swordsman to execute powerful strikes with spadone rapidly and effectively.
While some spadone examples were lavishly decorated with expensive materials like ivory, this was not the norm. However, the spadone’s guard was characteristic of a katzbalger (a short Renaissance sword) in that it also featured two rings that extended outward from the cross guard.
The spadone, as it is used today, features a handle that can accommodate four palms and more, and is equipped with a large cross. This design is not intended for use in the same way as other weapons we have discussed. Rather, it is meant to be used alone, allowing its wielder to stand in the guise of a galleon among many galleys, resisting multiple swords or other weapons simultaneously.
To ensure that the spadone can be used for both defense and offense, it should be divided into two halves. Its length should be proportionate to that of a man, not too long nor too short. It must have sharp double edges and be lightweight so that the observer of this art can execute cutting and pointing blows with greater speed and ease. It is also important to have a good supply, as the hand is the main tool that operates according to nature and the rule of art.
Francesco Alfieri, a 17th-century Italian master of fencing.
In spadone, the tip of the ricasso (the unsharpened blade piece above the guard) was sometimes further covered by a second guard made of “parrying hooks” (parierhaken) about 2 inches (5 cm) in length, similar to those seen on the spetum or corseque pole weapons. Fencing “half-sword” techniques necessitated this parrying hook, and it served to protect the hand.
The spadone’s blade was often 40 inches (1 m) or more in length, and its ricasso was occasionally sheathed in leather. One or both sides of the blade could be wavy, like a flame-bladed sword. There is ongoing discussion over whether or not a wavy blade is really effective. The idea that it can help enhance the cutting blow at the point of contact is often disregarded, particularly when used against the shafts of pikes or halberds.
The theory that the wavy cutting edge was utilized to parry an opponent’s sword by unloading more force on the blade is more intriguing. The typology of the flame-bladed spada da lato (“side sword”), which became popular alongside the spadone as a dueling weapon, lends credence to this theory.
During the 16th century, European spadones came in a wide range of sizes, regardless of differences in design or technique. The Landeszeughaus Museum in Graz has a collection of preserved spadones, whose average dimensions are 67 inches (170 cm) in length and 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) in weight.
The biggest example of spadone, however, is 78 inches (199 cm) long and weighs about 13 lbs (6 kg), still belonging to the category of functional, non-ceremonial weaponry. For comparison, the Spanish montante from the Mediterranean region is typically 59 inches (150 cm) long and weighs between 4.5 and 5.5 lbs (2 and 2.5 kg).
Spadones with completely wavy blades existed as well. The zweihanders of this type were purely ornamental, with a size and weight much larger than those of other spadones. Those zweihanders measured almost 79 inches (2 m) in length and 15 lbs (7 kg) in mass. Since their blades resembled the shape of a flame, they were also known as flamberge swords.
Spadone at a Glance
What is a spadone and what other names is it known by?
The spadone is a type of two-handed sword that originated in Italy during the Renaissance. It is also known as the zweihander in Germany, the greatsword in England, the claymore in Scotland, and the montante in Spain and Portugal.
Who were some famous users of the spadone?
One of the most famous spadone users was Pier Gerlofs Donia, a Frisian rebel leader and pirate of the early 16th century who was renowned for his immense strength and effectiveness as a swordsman. Another notable group of spadone users were the mercenary lansquenets who protected the Knights Hospitaller during the 1522 siege of Rhodes.
How was the spadone used in battle?
The spadone was versatile enough to be used as a cutting tool, an impact weapon, or even as a polearm, depending on the situation. It could be employed as a slashing weapon against unarmored foes or as an impact weapon against knights in armor. The large cross guard and parrying hook allowed for a variety of grips and could be used to direct the sharp tip of the sword with pinpoint accuracy to areas of the body not covered by armor.
What is the historical significance of the spadone?
The spadone was one of the most powerful edged weapons ever produced in history and was used in many important conflicts during the Renaissance, including the Swabian War, Italian Wars, and German Peasants’ War. It was also a symbol of status and power, often used as a ceremonial bearing sword. The cultural influence and romanticization of swordsmanship during the Romanticism period contributed significantly to the overestimation of the abilities of sword-wielding knights.
How did the spadone compare to other swords of its time?
The spadone was one of the largest and heaviest swords of its time, typically weighing 5.7 lbs (2.6 kg) and measuring up to 79 inches (200 cm) in length. It was more commonly referred to as a zweihander than a spadone in history, although they were essentially the same weapon. Its size and weight allowed for a variety of uses, including as a cutting tool, an impact weapon, and even as a polearm.
Hanbo (hanbō) is a short hardwood staff weapon used for both striking and thrusting. It is a type of weapon that has a length ranging from 32 to 40 inches (80 to 100 cm) and a thickness of about 0.9 to 1.2 inches (2.3 to 3 cm) depending on hand size. Its name is derived from the fact that it is half the size of a bo, with “han” meaning “half” and “bo” meaning “stick.” The standard length of a hanbo has mostly been three shaku, or around 35 in (90 cm).
History of Hanbo
Bojutsu with the hanbo staff.
The Japanese martial art hanbojutsu (“hanbo technique”) is named after the Japanese hanbo staff. Jojutsu and tanjojutsu were common names for techniques developed after the Meiji era (1868–1912).
Hanbo is three shaku in length, but the categorization of bojutsu, jojutsu, chigiriki, hanbojutsu, etc. always differs from school to school. For instance, a stick with four or five shakus in length can still be referred to as a hanbo.
And a rod with a weight chain (kusari-fundo) attached is often referred to as a “chigiriki” but it is also called a “swinging jo staff.” In practice, the distinction is muddied because of the existence of other distinct schools with “hanbo” in their names.
Hanbo. (Credit: Martin Fujan).
During the Edo era (1603–1868), a hanbo was utilized as a capturing tool (capturing a person without killing) alongside the more common bo staff. Essays written during the Edo era also detail how citizens armed themselves with hanbo staff for protection and combat.
The hanbo is referred to as the koryu (“traditional school”) weapon in Japan. The hanbo is a weapon commonly taught in Kukishin-ryu (14th century) and Hontai Yoshin-ryu (16th century), both of which are traditional Japanese martial arts schools.
Kukishin-ryu is particularly well-known and is still taught today in various Jujutsu schools such as the Bujinkan, Jinenkan, and Genbukan.
The hanbo is a blunt weapon featured in the Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide video game series.
Hanbo’s Origin
In 1575, when Nagafusa Kuriyama’s yari (spear) was destroyed by the opposing swordsman (he probably wielded a katana) in combat, he continued to fight with the remainder of the staff and still beat him, inspiring him to include the hanbo into the Kukishin-ryu curriculum.
The tanjo, a western-style walking stick that the Budo artist Uchida Ryogoro used to develop self-defense techniques in the early 1900s, is a weapon very similar to the hanbo.
This martial art style is still taught in Shinto Muso-ryu and is named for its creator (Uchida Ryogoro), Uchida-ryu Tanjojutsu. Tanjo can be employed efficiently in combat by spinning the wrist in quick assaults, among other things, and the tanjo is relatively easy to hide because of its tiny size.
Just like hanbo, short staffs or tanjo are those that are less than 40 inches (100 cm) in length and are also known as tanbo.
Styles and Uses of the Hanbo Weapon
You can hold the hanbo toward one end and swing it like a katana or kendo sword. It can also be gripped in the center like a staff and used to attack or block from either end.
However, jabs and punches account for only about one of every five uses of the hanbo weapon. The hanbo is more often utilized for leverage. The hanbo has several applications, including striking, restraining, and tossing an opponent. Sticks are constantly available, making knowledge of hanbo a valuable skill.
There are several styles of hanbo. The weapon is used in Kobudo, Ninjutsu, Jujutsu, Karate (different styles) and also in Aikido. In every style, the form (kata) of the hanbo is expanded upon and modified in several ways.
The hanbo has advantages in close-quarters fighting, where you can use punching and thrusting tactics in addition to excellent lever methods. As a result, ranged weapons like the bo staff are often better than the hanbo staff outside of close combat due to their greater range.
If you want to be a swordsman, according to martial artist Masaaki Hatsumi, you need to learn hanbo first. Since it can be wielded and used in the same way as a Japanese sword, albeit without the blade. When handled correctly, a katana can be parried with hanbo by hitting the flat sections of the blade to deflect the sword.
Hanbo Schools
Professional schools:
Uchida-ryu Tanjojutsu (developed in the Meiji era as a walking stick method derived from Shinto Muso-ryu jojutsu. Incorporating Shinto Musou-ryu)
Part of the Bo and Jo schools:
Attached to the Kukishin-ryu Hanbo Jutsu (Linked to the Kukishin-ryu Bojutsu. Kukishin-ryu Bojutsu and Takagi-ryu Jujutsu are fused in this system.)
Chikubushima-ryu Bojutsu
Muhen Yogan-ryu Hanbojutsu (Once passed down through the family of the Morosho-ryu sect, it is now handed down independently.)
Imaeda Shin-ryu Short Cane (attached to Imaeda Shinryu Walking Stick)
Part of the Naginata school
Yangshin-ryu Hanbojutsu
Hanbo Kata
Kata of Hanbojutsu
Kukishin Ryu
These kata involve working with another person:
Kamae-kata:
Otonashi
Shinsen
Kachimi
Danpi
Outai
Kihon-kata or Furi-kata
Omotenokata
Tachiotoshi
Atekomi
Koshiore
Ategaeshi
Tsukiiri
Chugokui
Kirinohitoha
Otoshimatsuba
Mizudori
Gorinkudaki
Mawaridori
Gokuino-kata
Tsurunohitokoe
Karamedori
Shin-no-karamedori
Sensudori
Tenno-kata
Chino-kata
Jinno-kata
Kata in Ryukyu Kobujutsu Hozon Shinko Kai
Sanjakubo
The other Kobudo styles that trace their roots back to the Japanese martial artist Taira Shinken do not teach this kata, and neither does the Ryukyu Kobujutsu Hozon Shinko Kai.
Kata of Gendai Goshin Kobu Jutsu:
Renshuho Shodan
Renshuho Nidan
Renshuho Sandan
Renshuho Yondan
Renshuho Godan
Renshuho Kaiten
Fudoshin no Sho
Fudoshin no Dai
Hate no Sho
Hate no Dai
Tsuken no Sho
Kanjo
Hanbo at a Glance
What is a Hanbo weapon?
Hanbo is a hardwood staff weapon of Japanese origin, used for striking and thrusting in martial arts. It is half the size of a Bo staff, with a length ranging from 32 to 40 inches (80 to 100 cm), and a thickness of about 0.9 to 1.2 inches (2.3 to 3 cm).
What are the styles and uses of Hanbo?
There are several styles of hanbo, and the weapon is used in Kobudo, Ninjutsu, Jujutsu, Karate, and Aikido. It can be held toward one end and swung like a sword or gripped in the center like a staff for attacking or blocking. The hanbo is mostly used for leverage, including striking, restraining, and tossing an opponent.
Why is Hanbo considered a valuable skill?
Knowledge of hanbo is considered a valuable skill since sticks are constantly available, and it is beneficial in close-combat fighting. It is also recommended for those who want to become a swordsman because hanbo can be wielded and used similarly to a Japanese sword. When used correctly, a katana can be parried with hanbo by hitting the flat sections of the blade to deflect the sword.
What is the history of Hanbo?
Hanbo was utilized as a capturing tool during the Edo era in Japan, and citizens used it for self-defense and combat. It is still taught in traditional Japanese martial arts schools such as Kukishin-ryu (14th century) and Hontai Yoshin-ryu (16th century). The weapon was included in the Kukishin-ryu curriculum after Nagafusa Kuriyama used the remainder of his spear as a hanbo and defeated an opposing swordsman in 1575.
Bojutsu is a discipline of Japanese martial arts that revolves around the use of a long staff as its central weapon. Bojutsu is part of Okinawan kobudō karate, and its principal weapon is a six-foot staff called a “bo staff.” Bojutsu, or “bōjutsu,” means “staff technique” in Japanese. (“Bō” as “staff” and “jutsu as “technique”).
Bojutsu with a long staff, also known as the bo staff.
Because of its similarities to other Japanese martial arts, the Japanese refer to a wide variety of fighting styles that include staff-like weapons under the term “bojutsu” (also known as “bo art”).
In the Japanese martial art of Bojutsu, practitioners utilize polished, circularly cross-sectioned sticks of about 6 shaku (about 6 ft; 180 cm) in length and refined to a consistent thickness. The bo staff in Bojutsu has a diameter of 0.95 to 1.3 inches (2.4 to 3.3 cm), and it is polished to be slippery.
This bo staff can still be of varying length, width, and form depending on the martial art school. Bojutsu practiced with a staff no longer than four feet is termed “jojutsu” (see Jo staff), while that practiced with a staff even shorter than that is called “hanbojutsu” (hanbo is a short staff).
Bojutsu with a short staff, possibly the hanbo staff.
While the specific names of these techniques may vary from school to school, they all still share the umbrella term “bojutsu.”
The Japanese historical epic “Taiheiki” describes many varieties of rods, such as Kanabō (a rod made of wood and iron) or Tetsubo (a rod made of iron and steel). It is said in the 15th-century “Gikeiki” (“The Chronicle of Yoshitsune”) that there are special staffs with unusual designs, such as those with an octagonal shape (a wooden staff with eight sides) or chigiriki (a flail staff weapon).
Characteristics of Bojutsu
One of the defining characteristics of Japanese bojutsu is that, like other Japanese martial arts, it often assumes the presence of an imagined opponent wielding a katana (just like with the Jo staff). But there are also staff vs. staff techniques.
Bojutsu has many parallels with other Japanese martial arts, including sojutsu (spear technique), kenjutsu (sword technique), and naginatajutsu (glaive technique).
It is also uncommon for schools of other martial arts to include bojutsu into their curriculums, as is the case with many jujutsu dojos.
Bojutsu is a core component of various martial arts schools because it teaches students how to effectively wield long weapons and manipulate space (such as Takenouchi-ryu, Kiraku-ryu, etc.).
The reason for this is that the handle and “blade” of the staff are one and the same object.
As an added bonus, bojutsu is great for developing your motor skills. Because of the efficiency of staff techniques, Kano Jigoro, creator of Kodokan Judo, attempted to integrate bojutsu into Kodokan, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Since ancient times, religious ceremonies have been held where bojutsu-inspired techniques have been practiced. Despite being one of the simplest weapons, the history of the bojutsu and the bo staff are less well documented than that of kenjutsu (swordsmanship) in Japan, leading to widespread confusion about its use and development.
The indigenous culture of the Ainu in Japan developed a staff method, including iron-reinforced staff for battle and a punishment staff called “Sutu” (or Seisaibo) for cane punishment. The Yayoi period (Neolithic–Iron Age) site in Okayama City, the Minami Ho ruins, yielded a staff resembling the Ainu’s punishment staff, suggesting its usage in antiquity.
Many Japanese schools teach that bojutsu was born on the battlefield, when soldiers improvised weapons out of broken naginata (“glaive“) or yari (“spear”) shafts. Nonetheless, wooden staffs were in use before yaris, which may indicate that bojutsu served as a foundation for the evolution of yari techniques. The use of a yari is integral to several bojutsu styles.
The bo staff is central to the Japanese martial art of bojutsu. There may be some connection between the various bojutsu schools because of the prevalence of shared technique names like “Goho (five directions)”, “Sashiai (finger joint)”, “Kasanoshita (under the hat)”, “Gorinkudaki” “Mizuhiki”, etc.
In Chinese martial arts, the term “stick fighting” is used to refer to bojutsu, which is an extension of kenpo karate, a fist-fighting technique. Instead of the bo staff, the Chinese use a stick called a “gun staff,” which has a thicker center.
Stick-based fighting styles have existed or been passed on in many cultures around the region. Although bojutsu uses a stick [staff] as its main weapon, it is not called a “stick-fighting” method in Japan but a “stick [staff] technique” due to the way the bo is used.
Bojutsu Today
“Lion Dance” during the Chinese New Year celebrations in Manhattan’s Chinatown, New York. (Bob Jagendorf CC BY 2.0)
Because bo staffs are common and inexpensive, bojutsu has been practiced by people of all economic strata in Japan, and there are a plethora of bojutsu schools to choose from. It has also been included in nonlethal restraint tactics by a variety of schools.
Festival performances in Japan sometimes include some type of bojutsu, such as “bon odori” (staff dance), “bo no te” (staff hands), “bojutsu” (staff methods), or even “shishimai” (lion dance). Sometimes the traditional bojutsu martial art tradition is reflected in these performances.
Schools of Bojutsu
Bojutsu schools:
Kukishin-ryu (founded in the 14th century and including Bojutsu, Hanbojutsu, and Takagi-ryu)
Isshin-ryū
Kaohsiung style
Chikubushima-ryu style
Ryozen Chikubushima style.
Tsubaki kotengu-ryu bojutsu
Muhen-ryu
Yoshin-ryu
Kosan tenjin-ryu
Okinawan kobudo
Jojutsu schools:
Shinto Muso-ryu (called Bojutsu until the mid-Edo period)
Muteki-ryu (uses a longer staff but is still called a jojutsu together with the shoshin-ryu)
Yoshin-ryu (Originally a jujutsu school that includes naginatajutsu and bojutsu. Hanbojutsu that has been handed down in Yoshin-ryu naginatajutsu still exists.)
Kurama Youshin-ryu
Yoshin-ryu
Yanagigou-ryu (Originally a school of kenjutsu that includes naginatajutsu and jojutsu, but there is a lineage that only teaches jojutsu.)
Aikijo (Aikido’s cane (jo) technique, using a stick of about 4 to 5 shaku. Depending on the sect, it is also called Taketsubojutsu)
Shintaido Bojutsu (included in Shintaido)
Many other bojutsu schools have been handed down in rural areas as bo no te (“stick hands”), shishimai (“lion dances”), bon odori (“stick dances”) and matsuri tsuyuharai.
Bojutsu in Out of Japan
Staff and stick based martial arts similar to bojutsu are also practiced in other parts of the world:
Chinese martial arts – In many schools, both long and short sticks are used (bo and jo, respectively). Several techniques employ the use of two short sticks.
Western swordsmanship – There is a method for using the ricasso, the uncut portion of the blade, as a stick.
Quarterstaff is an English long-staff fighting style.
Donga – bojutsu of the Surma people living in Ethiopia.
Nakbabka – Maasai tribe’s martial art. A stick method also makes use of two sticks.
Nguni stick-fighting – stick-fighting method of the Nguni people living in South Africa and Eswatini. There is also a technique of using a short spear with a shield.
Matrag – a stick-fighting that originated in Algeria. It is also played as a sport.
Tahtib – Egyptian bojutsu. Demonstrations are performed for tourists and are also used in belly dancing.
Kapu Kuialua – Hawaiian martial art. Weapon styles have been devised that make use of a variety of sticks, including two staffs and oars.
Mau rakau – Maori bojutsu. The tool of choice is the taiaha, a stick with a modified point.
Krabi-krabong – a thorough martial technique that was passed down in Thailand. A cravone, or stick of approximately 6,5 feet (2 m), is used.
Pencak silat – Southeast Asian martial art. Aside from using sticks and staffs, there are also methods involving bamboo poles.
Eskrima – Filipino fighting style. Other than bojutsu methods, there are others like employing two short sticks.
Kalaripayattu – a style of fighting from southern India. Jojutsu is a part of it.
Silambam– a thorough martial arts style from southern India. Only bojutsu is passed down in the present.
The flamberge, also known as a flamberg (German: → flamme → “flame” → flamberge), is a kind of wavy (flame-bladed) sword, often designed as a two-handed (sometimes one-handed or hand-and-a-half) edged weapon. In the 15th and 17th centuries, the flamberge sword was widely used across Europe, particularly in Switzerland and Germany. The Swiss Guard at the Vatican still uses ceremonial two-handed polearms (called the partisan weapon) along with the flamberge sword.
The Pontifical Swiss Guard with flamberge swords in the Palais de Rumine. (Abaddon1337, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Design of the Flamberge Sword
The blade of the flamberge sword was curved in wavy patterns. Most flamberge swords used in battle were only undulated for two-thirds of their length. The tip of the blade often remained straight, so it could still chop and stab like a regular sword.
This was true even for two-handed versions, which would normally require much practice and impact force. The whole length of the sword was sharpened, and the “flames” were diluted ever-so-slightly so that they cut like a saw.
The flamberge often had a little wavy guard in front of the main guard, which functioned to intercept the enemy’s sword and protect the warrior’s hands. The standard mounting angle was 45 degrees, which dramatically amplified its effect.
A ricasso (an unsharpened part of the sword) was placed in the space just between the two guards for greater grip strength with the use of the index fingers. All flamberge swords came with blades undulating like a flame.
The Advantage of the Flamberge Sword
In the 1884 edition of Richard F. Burton’s The Book of Swords, there is a picture of a flamberge sword.
The flamberge swords were advantageous because their blades significantly reduced the striking surface upon contact with the target, which was a major benefit over traditional sword designs. In other words, the sword’s weight and the blade’s curves greatly increased the destructive effect per unit area.
The concentrated force of the wavy blade’s impact made the curved edge superior for cutting. Particularly, the flamberge sword took advantage of a curved blade and merged it with the more conventional European straight sword.
The wavy blade of the flamberge sword allowed the projecting parts to break through hard objects more easily, such as armors. When the sword made contact with the target, the projecting parts would hit first, making it easier to penetrate the surface. Additionally, the unique design of the blade resulted in a noticeable saw effect on the surface being cut, especially on the reverse stroke.
When used to stab an opponent, a flamberge sword was far more effective than a traditional sword. Flamberge wounds always healed worse than conventional swords because of the unusual shape of the blade, which was literally against most types of wounds in nature.
The “waves” created a lacerated wound with multiple parallel incisions as they passed repeatedly through the victim’s body.
From left to right, these Spanish, German, and Italian rapiers all have flamberge blades and date to the 17th century. German Historic Museum (DHM) Berlin.
The flamberge swords were incredibly lethal weapons, to the extent that in many armies it became customary to immediately retaliate against any prisoner found with a flamberge sword. Therefore, using a flamberge sword in battle could be as lethal as defending against it.
The “waves” created a lacerated wound with multiple parallel incisions as they passed repeatedly through the victim’s body, which, given the unsanitary conditions of the military field and the state of medieval medicine at the time, nearly invariably got inflamed and caused gangrene that made the flamberge sword twice as deadly.
This effect was active up to the end of the sharpened wavy blade, which was around a third of the wound’s breadth. Furthermore, these characteristics were more pronounced when the flamberge’s wave proportions were higher.
For the same reasons, a stab wound from a flamberge was often quite broad. The effective breadth of the wound was 1.5–2 times the width of the blade, which was equivalent to the distance between the extreme points of the waves.
Furthermore, the wavy shape of the flamberge made it less likely to get stuck between the ribs of the victim. Because the wavy blade naturally found the path of least resistance. Although this property almost disappeared when holding the sword firmly.
Flamberge also provided a lot of benefits while defending, since the attacker’s blade would stay on the waves longer than conventional swords after being repelled.
The Drawbacks of the Flamberge
This flamberge sword from Toledo weighed 8.5 lbs (3.86 kg). The total length of the sword is 5.6 ft (1.7 m) and the hilt is covered with leather.
However, the flamberge sword was not without its drawbacks. For instance, the flamberge was less durable and heavier than a conventional sword. Because its relatively narrow profile necessitated a larger blade. A two-handed flamberge like the one above from Toledo weighed 8.5 lbs (3.86 kg).
Blades having an undulated pattern were more likely to shatter upon application or reflection of force since the metal was stressed in many zones (one for each half-wave).
Another factor reducing the flamberge sword’s longevity was the fact that at negative half-waves, the blade’s hardened edge operated in tension to a higher degree than it did on straight or slightly curved swords.
The makers of flamberges experimented with several methods of blade hardening to help the weapons last longer in combat. For instance, it has been observed that certain flamberges include hardening only for the cutting edge with varying degrees of surface carburizing.
In this scenario, the load distribution was better suited to bearing shock and vibration. Flamberges produced from the same metal still required distinct tempering techniques since they were effectively one-of-a-kind weapons with the varied shapes of their waves. Every flamberge was essentially a custom-made weapon.
As a result, flamberge swords were notoriously difficult to produce, had stringent quality control standards, were expensive, and saw very low volumes of usage.
The Use of Flamberge Swords
A landsknecht with a flamberge zweihander sword. Illustration by Angus McBride.
Mercenary infantry such as the condottieri and landsknechts who joined the battlefield towards the end of the 15th century were instrumental in spreading flamberge swords. They usually carried zweihänder swords (German “two-hander”), and some of them had undulating blades and were called flammenschwert, or flame-bladed swords.
Flamberge swords were relatively uncommon owing to their exorbitant price, but their value was immediately recognized. The Thirty Years’ War saw a surge in demand for flamberge swords.
Flamberge swords were still used in battle far into the 17th century, even after straight two-handed swords had fallen out of favor.
Some flamberge swords were created just for use in ceremonies. The blades of such swords often consisted of a single piece of metal that had not been properly hardened and was undulating all the way down its length.
Research into these blades has long supported the idea that flamberge swords were never intended for use in battle. Drawing comparisons between flamberge swords and the flaming weapon used by the Archangel Michael served as inspiration for this theory. Later research on flame-bladed swords, however, disproved this theory.
The End of Flamberges
A flamberge rapier and flamberge dagger with a unique flame-bladed style. German-made, circa 1600. The rapier has “Moor’s head” etched onto the blade.
Two-handed swords, used for fencing in the close combat of medieval times, went out of style as firearms became more widely available in the 17th century and plate armor became obsolete. Even though flamberge swords were extinct, the wavy blade style lived on in the flame-bladed sword.
This flame-bladed sword retained almost all of the benefits of the flamberge. These were the ability to slice through armored clothing and flesh without becoming trapped in the body, and the ability to better deflect an attacker’s weapon.
However, the flame-bladed sword provided an additional benefit: The design of the sword made it possible to stop the opponent’s sword and then grab it with leather gloves to strike the opponent without the person being able to parry. However, the use of a flame-bladed sword still made serious injuries likely.
As time went on, the flame-bladed sword became the standard for contract killers and professional duelists.
But because of their complexity and great cost, the flame-bladed swords were never mass-produced. The use of flame-bladed swords lasted until the early 18th century, when it eventually died out.
Weapons Similar to Flamberge
Flamberge Rapier
Three types of German flamberge swords from the 19th century, imitating the early 16th century types. On the right is a flamberge rapier.
Swords of the Renaissance era included the flamberge rapier. The sword was inspired by the Spanish espada ropera, which was the preferred weapon of the upper class in the 16th and 17th centuries.
During the Renaissance era, one of the most notable swords was the flamberge rapier, which drew inspiration from the Spanish espada ropera sword. This particular sword (which also had a slightly wavy blade) was favored by the upper class in the 16th-17th centuries.
Despite its more common associations with dueling and style, the European military made extensive use of the flamberge rapier.
The blade of the flamberge rapier is shaped like a raging flame and is made of high-carbon steel. The hilt is made of steel, while the handle is often made of wood wrapped in leather and topped with twisted copper wire.
During the late 15th century, mercenary infantry played a crucial role in the proliferation of flamberge swords, including condottieri and landsknechts. These soldiers often wielded zweihänder swords, known as “two-handers” in German, with some even using flammenschwert, or flame-bladed swords, which featured undulating blades like a flamberge.
Flamberge Dagger
Flamberge parrying dagger, ca. 1550–75, Italian.
In order to provide a more secure grasp when used in conjunction with a rapier, the flamberge dagger has been outfitted with a side ring, recurved quillons, and a depression at the base of one side of the blade.
The waves on the flamberge dagger’s blade allow it to absorb some of the force of a strike from an adversary’s blade. The piercing on the fullers (the grooves) is a design element.
The flamberge dagger was held in the left hand, with the sword held in the right. It is around 0.94 lbs (425 g). The blade was forged between 1550 and 1575.
Basket-Hilted Flamberge Sword
Flamberge basket-hilted sword from Portugal.
When this basket-hilted flamberge sword was made between 1625 and 1650, its inscription read, “I fight for the Fatherland.” This sword is from Portugal, and it has a one-handed design. There are not many flamberges with cross-shaped guards, let alone basket hilts. So, they are rare.
Moving on, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has another type of this sword on display (below). The blade is silver and ornamented in the English style with other elements of steel and wood.
It is dated to the year 1662, and the portrait on the hilt is believed to show the recently killed King Charles I in 1649. Swords with English hilts like this are known as “funeral swords”.
Basket-hilted flamberge sword with English hilt. (Metmuseum)
Johannes Wundes the Younger produced this basket-hilted flamberge sword. He was from Germany (Solingen) and was active in the mid-17th century.
Kris Sword
Madurese Kris sword with sheath. (Image: MetMuseum)
Also known as the Malay kris, the kris sword likewise has a wavy blade. The weapon has gained popularity across Southeast Asia and is conceptually very similar to the flamberge. Traditional ceremonial daggers of this kind continue to be produced today. The one above is from the 18th–19th centuries of Madurese culture in Madura, Jawa Timur. It is 18.4 inches (46.7 cm) in length.
Hand-and-a-Half Flamberge Sword
A hand-and-a-half type of flamberge sword, 16th century, German.
Hand-and-a-half swords are a hybrid between one-handed and two-handed swords. When it comes to swords with flamberge blades, this type of design is not unheard of. There are examples of hand-and-a-half flamberge swords in a wide range of public and private collections. This one was produced in the 1570s by a German or Swiss weaponsmith.
Swords with incised grooves at the base of the blade, on the unsharpened part (“ricasso”), always belong to the XIX type in the Oakeshott typology.
Spadone With a Flamberge Blade
Just like a few other examples, there are types of swords that are converted into flamberge swords with special sharpening. Spadone (an Italian longsword) is one of them. As we already see, a flame-bladed or wave-bladed weapon can be in any shape, and the flamberge is one example.
Spadone is longer than longswords but lighter than greatswords. It is of Italian origin, and its blade, grip, and pommel are all longer than a greatsword. It has ricasso quillons, which are two small spikes set a hand’s length from the crossbar.
Messer Sword with a Flamberge Blade
A messer sword with a flamberge-type blade.
Flamberge swords came in both straight and curved varieties. The Germanic Landsknecht mercenaries used two-handed sabers called “gross messers,” like the one seen here.
The placement of the teeth on the saber’s blade reveals its method of sharpening. From the looks of it, this particular gross messer has been sharpened to a one and a half. That is, about a quarter of the blade’s lethality comes from its opposite side.
History of the Flamberge Sword
The emergence of flame-bladed swords like the flamberge was contingent on a variety of factors. The crusader knights learned to use sabers, curved-blade weapons common in North Africa and the Holy Land, as early as the period of the first crusades, at the end of the 11th century.
A light Mongolian saber—also known as the Turko-Mongol saber—made its way to Europe at the time of Genghis Khan’s expeditions, about the middle of the 13th century. Additionally, it was discovered that curved swords of the same weight outperformed straight swords in terms of striking power. However, curved-bladed cold weapons were rarely used by Europeans.
Flamberge swords on a rack.
There were a few different factors at play here. To begin with, a heavy slicing sword had more impact strength than a light saber, and superior-grade steel armor was almost impenetrable to sabers.
It was also impossible for European weaponsmiths to create a saber with the same impact strength as a heavy sword, despite their best efforts. Because the sword’s original strength was drastically diminishing. Turkish weaponsmiths found a partial solution by adding a large yalman (or yelman)—the upper part of the saber near the tip—to their kilij and pala swords.
In addition, the Western European fencing school had begun to include piercing skills, for which the saber was far less suited than the sword. The fact that many confrontations took place in narrow places (the streets of towns, residences, and castles) further contributed to the saber’s decline in popularity.
The chopping sword was rendered almost worthless.
It was not until the development of metallurgy and the knightly armors in the 14th through 16th centuries that a chopping sword was rendered almost worthless on the battlefield. Three to five chopping strikes were necessary to break through the armor, and this was only conceivable in a one-on-one conflict.
The situation became dire enough that weaponsmiths started looking for alternatives. For instance, this may be seen in the development of “armor-piercing” swords like the estoc (known as panzerstecher or “tank breaker” in German), as well as the koncerz sword of Polish-Lithuanians.
At this time, the use of armor-piercing axes like the horseman’s pick proliferated across Europe and Asia. Spears and other shock-crushing weapons became more prominent in battles against armed soldiers.
They kept coming back to the concept of a curved sword, and the flamberge sword emerged.
Even though horseman’s picks were still in use, sovnya and bear spears were the weapons of choice for Russian warriors when facing heavily armed knights or other opponents with superior weaponry. Another weapon of choice was the pernach mace for its high hit rate.
The Taborites—a religious Hussite movement in the Czech Republic—used battle flails to defeat the opponent knights. Therefore, they kept coming back to the concept of a curved sword. The messer sword was specifically one such weapon.
At the end of the 15th century, the concept of using multiple bends to create a flame-shaped (or wave-shaped) sword emerged. However, it wasn’t until the middle of the 16th century in Germany (likely in the southern region) that blades in the shape of the flamberge sword appeared as a legitimate military weapon.
Flamberge Sword in Popular Culture
Flamberge Kirby (video game): Flamberge, also known as the Blazing General and the Bringer of Flame, is a minor adversary who appeared in the Kirby Star Allies video game from Nintendo. In combat, she wields a flamberge sword.
Dom Manuel (novel): The protagonist of James Branch Cabell’s Biography of the Life of Manuel (1901–1929) novel series is depicted with the flamberge sword.
Prince Valiant (comic strip): Prince Valiant uses his mighty Singing Sword to battle the Huns; a witch in a 1939 comic identifies it as the famous Flamberge, a magical sword presumably crafted by the same enchanter who fashioned Excalibur.
Elden Ring (video game): The beloved video game, which features 308 weapons, also features the flamberge sword with the description, “Greatsword featuring a flame-like undulation, Shreds enemy flesh, inducing blood loss.“
Flamberge Sword at a Glance
What is a flamberge sword?
A flamberge sword is a type of sword with a wavy, flame-shaped blade, designed as a two-handed edged weapon, sometimes used one-handed or hand-and-a-half. It was widely used in Europe, especially in Switzerland and Germany, during the 15th and 17th centuries.
What advantages did a flamberge sword have over traditional swords?
The flamberge sword was advantageous because its blade significantly reduced the striking surface upon contact with the target. The concentrated force of the wavy blade’s impact made the curved edge superior for cutting, while the waves were more likely to break through armor and other tough objects. When used to stab an opponent, a flamberge sword was far more effective than a traditional sword, and wounds from a flamberge sword always healed worse than conventional swords because of the unusual sharpening of the blade.
What were the drawbacks of the flamberge sword?
The flamberge sword was less durable and heavier than a conventional sword. Blades having an undulated pattern were more likely to shatter upon application or reflection of force since the metal was stressed in many zones (one for each half-wave). At negative half-waves, the blade’s hardened edge operated in tension to a higher degree than usual.
What were flamberge swords used for, and when did they go out of style?
Mercenary infantry, such as condottieri and landsknechts, used flamberge swords in the late 15th century. They were known for their undulating, “flame-bladed” design, and were used in battle for their ability to slice through armored clothing and flesh without becoming trapped in the body, and their ability to better deflect an attacker’s weapon. Flamberge swords were relatively uncommon owing to their exorbitant price, but their value was immediately recognized. The Thirty Years’ War saw a surge in demand for flamberge swords. Flamberge swords were still used in battle far into the 17th century, even after straight two-handed swords had fallen out of favor. The flamberge sword went out of style as firearms became more widely available in the 17th century and plate armor became obsolete.
What is a flamberge rapier?
The flamberge rapier was a sword that was favored by the upper class in the 16th-17th centuries. The blade of the flamberge rapier is shaped like a raging flame and is made of high-carbon steel. Despite its more common associations with dueling and style, the European military made extensive use of the flamberge rapier. The hilt is made of steel, while the handle is often made of wood wrapped in leather and topped with twisted copper wire. It drew inspiration from the Spanish espada ropera sword, which was the preferred weapon of the upper class in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The partisan is a spear-like poled weapon with a long wooden handle and a metal spire that is made up of two symmetrical cutting edges that are straight and terminate in two curved fins (or wings) at the base. The Renaissance saw widespread usage of this edged weapon in Italian warfare, but by the end of the 16th century, it had mostly been abandoned on European battlefields. As a symbol of authority or a place to display a department insignia, the partisan (or partizan) remained in use far into the 19th century as a popular cold weapon.
History of the Partisan Weapon
Various types of partisan spears.
The partisan, which was smaller than most polearm weapons, resembled an axe blade and paired a spearhead with two razor-sharp fins to look like a cut-piercing weapon with no possibility for throwing.
The “partisan” melee spear, a sort of spear used primarily for impaling the adversary, entered late medieval European infantry armament in the 15th century as a more controllable and “powerful” form of the pike.
During the Middle Ages, the partisan was a common polearm in Europe. Claus von Ahlefeldt (1614–1674), a Danish commander, used this specific one in February 1659, when the Swedes attacked Copenhagen. (Knud Winckelmann and Nationalmuseet – CC-BY-SA-3.0)
The spontoon and the ranseur (a cross between a partisan and a spetum) probably took their cue from this polearm weapon. The Germans called it the winged spear.
The partisan, like the halberd and the ox-tongue spear, is a polearm weapon with its roots in Italy. It first emerged in the 15th century.
Infantrymen often made use of the partisan to fight off horse attacks. The spearhead’s protrusions had a second purpose: They could be used to snag and trap an opponent’s sword, enabling the user to disable them.
The partisan was mostly employed as an aesthetic weapon in ceremonial settings as time went on since it was ineffective on the battlefield. In fact, the partisans began to leave the battlefield in the second half of the 16th century.
The partisan and other polearms became obsolete when firearms became more widely available and usable. Despite this, the partisan weapon was utilized ceremonially for a long time. Guards protecting significant buildings or events may still be seen carrying ceremonial partisans today, such as the Yeomen of the Guard, the ceremonial bodyguards of the British monarch.
Ceremonial Moscow guard clothing with a partisan from the 17th century, Kremlin Museum. (Photo: Wikipedia / Shakko, CC BY-SA 4.0)
The guard corps in charge of protecting the sovereign’s person, such as the specialized Swiss guards present in almost all Western monarchies, had reduced the partisan to a purely ceremonial role by the late 16th century. To this day, the partisan is a staple of the equipment of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
Beginning in 1700, all fusilier company chiefs and infantry regiment staff officers in Russia were required to wield a partisan. Infantry officers were not permitted to have partisans in the ranks during peacetime by the decision of Peter I in 1711.
Under the False Dmitry I in the 17th century, partisan was introduced to Russia for the first time.
There were strict rules in place by 1719–1720 about the colors of brushes used in the partisan’s handle. The brush that ornamented the top of the shaft indicated the officer’s rank by its color and substance. Only musketeer officers in 1730 had access to partisans. In 1731, the weapons were phased out in favor of spontoons for officers.
The rank of an officer of the Russian army, 1720s
The color of the silk brush on the partisan
Colonel
Golden
Lieutenant colonel
Silver
Major
Silver with gold threads
Captain
White
Lieutenant Captain
Blue
Lieutenant
Red
Second Lieutenant
Green
Origin of the Partisan
Russian partisan weapons by Fedor Solntsev, before 1853. (CC0)
The partisan, like the halberd and the ox-tongue spear, is a polearm weapon with its roots in Italy. The weapon first emerged in the 15th century.
According to the currently accepted theory, the partisan developed from the boar spear used by the milites (footsoldiers) and the laboratores (a social rank) in the High Middle Ages.
Dutch officers armed with partisans and halberds. Painter Frans Hals, 1633. (CC0)
However, artistic depictions from ancient Rome (bas-reliefs of the Consulate of Rome) that date back to the 1st century provide clues to the origin of this weapon or its earlier forms.
Partisans have several names. It is called pertuisane in French or partigiana and “spiedo alla Bolognese” in Italian. The latter name is the most common in the country since it attributes the Renaissance pole weapon’s genesis to Italian Bologna through the boar spear.
Between the latter half of the 15th century and the early 16th century, the partisan was widely considered a nobleman’s weapon.
The guards of King Louis XIV of France, armed with the partisans. Painter Jacques Lamonier, late 17th century. (CC0)
During its heyday (around 1450–1505), the partisan was seen as an essential element of any gentleman’s military training. It is one of the few polearms discussed in depth by traditional fencing experts of the 15th and 16th centuries, particularly in Italy.
In his great martial compilation Opera Nova (1536), the Bolognese fencing master Achille Marozzo discusses the usage of the partisan weapon, either on its own or in conjunction with a tiny shield of the Rotella type (a round shield).
Partisan is mentioned in many of Shakespeare’s plays as a typical weapon of the guards or townspeople.
Design of the Partisan Weapon
The partisan is a very sturdy spear; however, it can only be used in close combat and cannot be thrown.
The rod of a partisan often had a solid wooden handle anywhere from 63 to 110 inches (160 to 280 cm) in length. However, this varied by nation and time period.
All partisans were typically between 63 and 80 inches (160 and 200 cm) in height before they became decorative weapons.
More than 12 inches in length (30 cm), the partisan’s blade is triangular in cross-section and forged from one piece of metal.
When seen from the side, the two, pointed ears resemble a crescent, and they are thinner than the main blade.
An Italian partisan weapon, ca. 1690. (Metmuseum, CC0)
The blade of a partisan was longer than 12 inches (30 cm), and it was sharply triangular and rhomboidal in cross-section. A long, pyramidal gorge fastened it to the shaft. The spontoon, like the boar spear, corseque, and ranseur, had two fins at the point where the blade met the gorge.
These fins resembled the lugs (knobs) on an early medieval boar spear, but they grew outward from the blade rather than the gorge. A “flamber” form, similar to that of the flamberge-type two-handed broadsword, may be seen on the blade of certain examples.
Like the infantry spears of ancient times (see sauroter), the hardwood shaft (63–87 in; 160–220 cm in length) of this weapon featured a metal counterweight (wedge) at the opposite end of the blade.
Decorations on the gorge, inlays on the shaft, and other kinds of damascening on the blade of a partisan were commonplace in the examples used by the elite guardhouses.
The Etymology of the Partisan
The partisan was a common weapon in southern Europe, although it was less common in northern Europe. The partisan and the spontoon are quite similar types of weapons in the Germanic realm. The partisan, together with the corseque, is classified as a ranseur in the Anglo-Saxon cultural basin.
The partisan gained great literary success in Italy during the Renaissance, alongside the more developed period of Renaissance humanism. Writers in the 15th and 16th centuries started using the term “partisan” to refer to the melee spear, as opposed to the extremely long pike, and “lance” to refer to the cavalry spear (for instance, the word “lance” actually comes from Latin for spear).
Even better, the term “partisan” began to be used by the Renaissance humanists to refer to ancient infantry spears that could be used in combat but could be thrown if required (for example, the dory or hasta spear), unlike the extremely long pike.
As the partisan became more common among the infantry forces, some countries were able to fill a major void in their military lexicons, as the word “lance” could sometimes refer to both melee weapons and horse weapons, and even polearms thrown from a distance.
Types of the Partisan Spear
The tip of Lieutenant Ruytenburch’s partisan (part of Rembrandt’s painting The Night Watch). (CC0)
There are two most popular partisan variants, and one is smaller, lighter, and throwable with an iron blade between 9 and 12 inches (22 and 30 cm) in length. The other version of the partisan is a longer and heavier form of the ranseur that can have an iron blade as long as 24 inches (60 cm), and it is mostly not throwable.
Partisan Weapon at a Glance
What is a partisan weapon?
A partisan is a type of polearm weapon with a long wooden handle and a metal spire. It has two symmetrical cutting edges that are straight and terminate in two curved fins at the base.
What is the history of the partisan weapon?
The partisan emerged in the 15th century in Italy and was used as a more controllable and powerful form of the pike. During the Middle Ages, it was a common polearm in Europe. The Germans called it the winged spear. It was mostly employed as an aesthetic weapon in ceremonial settings as time went on since it was ineffective on the battlefield. The partisan weapon was utilized ceremonially for a long time, even after it became obsolete when firearms became more widely available and usable.
How was the partisan weapon used?
Infantrymen often used the partisan to fight off cavalry attacks. The spearhead’s protrusions had a second purpose: They could be used to catch and trap an opponent’s sword, enabling the user to disable them.
What is the origin of the partisan weapon?
The partisan, like the halberd and the ox-tongue spear, is a polearm weapon with its roots in Italy. The currently accepted theory is that the partisan developed from the boar spear used by the milites and the laboratores in the High Middle Ages. Artistic depictions from ancient Rome (bas-reliefs of the Consulate of Rome) that date back to the 1st century provide clues to the origin of this weapon or its earlier forms.
The misericorde dagger, also referred to as the “dagger of mercy,” had its origins in the 12th century and was primarily employed to bring a merciful end to the life of a fatally wounded knight. This was because the knife of this edged weapon was just narrow enough to go through the gaps and cracks in the armor. The misericorde dagger, or mercy dagger, was a sort of long and narrow dagger often used by knights and warriors in the Middle Ages, namely the 14th and 15th centuries. Around this time the rondel dagger appeared as a variation of the misericorde with a thicker blade used for fighting.
A Symbol of Swift Death
In his tomb effigy, Bolko II the Small is believed to have held a misericorde dagger. (File:A 1989)
Misericorde was designed to be a stabbing weapon, used on a wounded enemy who could no longer fight, to end their suffering quickly and humanely. This included the wounded horses on the battlefield.
As such, the poets of the medieval ages associated the murderous misericorde with “pity,” using it as a symbol of kindness. The weapon’s name has its roots in the Latin word miseria, “wretchedness.”
History of the Misericorde Dagger
A misericorde dagger in the Meyers Konversations-Lexikon. 1908, S. 896. (Source)
The word misericorde comes from the French miséricorde (“mercy”), which in turn is derived from the Latin word misericordia, which means “act of mercy.” The French called it a coup de grâce, the “blow of mercy.”
The misericorde dagger did not become an integral part of military armor until the later Middle Ages, during the 14th and 15th centuries. It was widely used throughout Europe until the early 17th century.
The Knightly Order of the Hospitallers used the misericorde the most often since it was a piece of mandatory equipment. When complete plate armor was no longer used, the misericorde was phased out in favor of daggers with a larger blade that could also be used for slashing and cutting.
Before the 13th century, depictions of this cold weapon in manuscripts and sculptures were very uncommon, and when they did appear, they almost always depicted the misericorde being used in warfare.
During the Crusades and throughout the Middle Ages, the Misericorde dagger was a crucial weapon for dispatching wounded foes.
In the event of an injury during a jousting contest, a knight may use the dagger to end the match and save more bloodshed.
Created in Paris in the mid-1240s for Louis IX of France, in the Morgan Bible, daggers and misericordes are nearly as common as swords in various war scenes, but the text gives no indication of how they were worn in times of peace.
Knights with dagger, possibly misericorde daggers or rondel daggers, around 1400. (Source)
In the Charter of Arras (of a French town), written in 1221, the term “misericorde” occurs for the first time in connection with daggers:
“Quicumque cultellum cum cuspide, vel curtam sphatulam, vel misericordiam, vel aliqua arma multritoria portaverit”
Charter of Arras, 1221.
In 1302 and 1303, the French chronicler Guillaume Guiart uses the same term to refer to the dagger once again:
“Plusieurs piétons François ala, Qui pour prisonniers n’ont pas cordes, Mais coutiaux et misericordes, Dont on doit servir en tiex festes.”
Guillaume Guiart, 1302.
Description of the Misericorde Dagger
The misericorde dagger possessed a long blade with a cross section that was flat, triangular, or square and a round, disc-shaped handguard.
Because of its length, experts and historians sometimes refer to the weapon as a short sword rather than a dagger. 8–16 inches (20–40 cm) was a common range for the length of a misericorde.
The blade was lozenge-shaped or triangular. The weapon was a typical product of the weaponsmiths. The framework was strong but rather thin, allowing strikes to pass through the cracks in the armor.
It was small enough to stow away discreetly and deadly enough to end the life of a wounded foe in an instant.
In the misericorde dagger, the handle is worked differently. The handguard was designed with a round plate shape, which was also present at the pommel. This handguard served as both the hilt and the handle.
This made it possible to keep hold of the dagger despite attempts to dislodge it and reduced the blade’s tendency to slide during a stroke.
The misericordes can be broken down into two categories: fighting knives with a single edge and daggers with two edges. The prominence of ornamental elements is another distinguishing feature of this weapon compared to other daggers.
Misericorde vs. Stiletto
Unlike misericorde, stilettos always come with a crossguard and a small hilt. End of 19th century Italy.
A stiletto, a small dagger with a triangle portion often employed as an assassin’s weapon or for self-defense, is not to be confused with the misericorde dagger. Stilettos feature a triangle blade and a thinner overall profile than misericordes, which often have a thicker blade with a rounder pommel.
While both stilettos and misericordes are considered daggers, there are key distinctions between the two. Stilettos were developed in the late 15th century, during the Renaissance. But in the 12th century, misericordes were already in use to humanely kill a wounded knight or animal.
Therefore, it is believed that stilettos were developed from misericordes to be a longer and narrower dagger; hence, they were favored by medieval assassins. There was also a “rondel dagger” with larger blades used from the 14th century onward.
Both misericordes and stilettos are designed to pierce tough materials like armor or heavy clothes with their long, thin blades and sharp, pointed tips. The design of their blades allows them to more easily slip between armor plates and into crucial body parts. They are mostly distinguished by their size, blade, and purpose of usage.
Distribution of Misericorde
Misericorde first emerged in the arsenals of Germany, Persia, and England in the 12th century. The weapon was used in the Holy Roman Empire and in many areas of Europe. They were in the armament of the German, English troops.
In Japan, they’ve been using a weapon similar to the misericorde since the 11th century. In the early 12th century, it reached its zenith of popularity, earning the moniker “eron toshi” (literally “destroyer of knightly armor”).
It was carried in the left hand and slung over the right hip, behind the belt. The warriors were taught a unique style of combat while wearing the “eron-kumi-uti” armor. It took practice to utilize the dagger effectively while maintaining control of the opponent with one hand.
Significance of the Misericorde Dagger
In the past, not everyone agreed with the decision to use the misericorde. According to some, using such a weapon to carry out a mercy killing was immoral and violated the chivalric code of honor. But others claimed that it was a technique that should be used sparingly and only when absolutely required since it helped stop the agony of injured warriors.
Modern audiences for the misericorde dagger are mostly academics and collectors of medieval blades. Some specimens of this object date back to the 14th century, making it an extremely uncommon and expensive find. Today, the misericorde dagger is still widely recognized as a potent emblem of medieval chivalry and combat.
Misericorde Dagger in Popular Culture
The misericorde dagger has made appearances in many media throughout the spectrum of popular culture.
Inspired by the misericorde dagger and stiletto, Arya Stark wields a little sword known as Needle in George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novel and the TV series Game of Thrones.
There is a book named “Misericorde,” also known as “Mercy Series Book One,” by Cynthia A. Morgan, which was published in 2020.
The Misericorde dagger is an uncommon weapon used in the action role-playing video game Elden Ring.
The Misericorde Dagger at a Glance
What is the origin of the Misericorde dagger?
The Misericorde, also known as the “dagger of mercy,” was originally designed in the 12th century as a long and narrow dagger that was primarily used to bring a merciful end to the life of a fatally wounded knight. The word Misericorde comes from the Latin word “misericordia” meaning “act of mercy” and later adopted by the French as “miséricorde.”
What were the primary uses of Misericorde during the Middle Ages?
The Misericorde dagger was primarily used in the Middle Ages to end the suffering of fatally wounded knights or their horses on the battlefield. It was also used during jousting contests to end a match in the event of an injury, and it was mandatory equipment for the Knightly Order of the Hospitallers. The Misericorde was phased out in favor of daggers with a larger blade that could be used for slashing and cutting.
How is Misericorde dagger different from Stiletto?
Misericorde and Stiletto are both considered daggers, but there are key differences between the two. While Misericorde has a long blade with a cross-section that is flat, triangular, or square and a round, disc-shaped handguard, Stiletto has a triangle blade with a small hilt and a crossguard. Misericorde was primarily used for merciful killing of wounded knights, while Stiletto was employed as an assassin’s weapon or for self-defense.
The glaive is a bladed close combat weapon used by heavy infantry. This European polearm consists of a wooden pole of between 4 and 5 feet (1.2 and 1.5 meters) with a spearhead measuring between 1.3 and 2 feet (40 and 60 cm) in length and 2 to 2.8 inches (5 to 7 cm) in width. In order to make the spearhead sturdier, it is often coated with rivets or wound with a metal ribbon. The weapon weighed around 4.5 to 7.7 lbs (2 to 3.5 kg). The tip of the glaive is a blade, and it is a single-edged blade in the shape of a broad falchion. Occasionally, a hook was made at the other end of the blade to pull a horseman off a horse.
European glaives from the Middle Ages, with a single-edged blade at the end of a pole.
From the butt of the blade, sometimes a spike is laid parallel or directed at a small angle to the blade, serving to grip the enemy’s weapon when reflecting an overhead blow, and also to inflict more effective thrusts against opponents wearing armor (as opposed to slashing blows delivered by the blade’s tip). The glaive, however, is still best used for stabbing attacks.
For balance and to finish off the wounded, the lowest portion of the glaive’s pole also features a spike (called a “spur” or “heel”), although this piece is often not sharpened, but pointed. The glaive existed from about the 14th to the 20th centuries as a unique cold weapon.
Glaive’s Etymology
The term “glaive” comes from French. However, the name either originates in the Celtic word “cladivos”, which means “sword,” or the Latin word “gladius” for the same thing. All glaive allusions in early English and French, however, actually relate to spears.
From the 15th century on, the word “glaive” began to refer exclusively to this specific type of weapon in English. In this century, the term began to be used in its modern sense. Around the same time, glaive became a poetic shorthand for any kind of sword. This is still the most common way the term is used today in French.
History of the Glaive
A soldier with a glaive in 14th-century dress.
Glaive bears a resemblance to the naginata of Japan, the guandao of China, the woldo of Korea, and the sovnya of Russia. Among them, the guandao is said to have been invented in the 3rd century AD.
Swords and falchions with long poles gave inspiration to the first glaive designs. And between 1200 and 1400, the first glaive is believed to have been developed from the war scythe. (The word “falx,” which means “scythe” in Latin, is where the name “falchion” originates.) The war scythe was already in use by the Balkan and Mesopotamian populations in ancient times.
In the European Middle Ages, the glaive stood out as one of the most unusual polearms to emerge. The small, single-edged sword was placed on a large wooden shaft that was taller than the wielder.
By the 14th century, it had evolved into a genuine weapon, crafted by expert weaponsmiths. At this time, the glaive had been carried as a personal weapon, most notably by crossbowmen. It proved effective as a weapon against mounted attackers due to its long reach.
It was a weapon of the palace guard up until the 18th century, when it fell out of use. The fact that it was originally a peasant instrument, however, was never forgotten, and it made its way into textbooks as early as 1612:
“GLAIVE. A hooked polearm, resembling a scythe, with a spike on the straight part of the shaft. It may not be very different from the harpe of the Latins or the ἄρπη of the Greeks.
Vocabolario Degli Accademici Della Crusca, Florence 1612, p. 320.
Dated 1564, a state glaive for Maximilian II of Austria’s Guard. (Credit: Philamuseum)
Originally a weapon of battle mainly in the 15th century, the glaive was adopted as a symbol of nobility in royal courts and by the bodyguard of the Doge of Venice from the 16th through the 18th centuries. Glaives with heraldic ornamentation, such as coats of arms or seals, help historians place them in a certain time period.
The glaive used by the palace guard during the reign of Emperor Ferdinand I, for instance, had the imperial monogram on both sides. The Habsburg and Bohemian/Hungarian coats of arms are shown underneath the imperial crown, intertwined with the Golden Fleece Order. This weapon survived into the 20th century through the efforts of the Bavarian court and the Hungarian royal guard.
A glaive might have a wide, axe-like point at one end and a simple ball-shaped counterweight at the other, or it could have two similar double-edged, thin, long blades at both ends. On the other hand, the ones with two blades (one at each end of the pole) are an incredibly unusual variant.
The Chinese developed glaives with three blades, each of which could be used independently of the others. This long blade had two handles so that the glaive could be struck from either end. The third blade was placed between the handles.
In total, about a hundred different alterations of the glaive have been discovered to this day. The weapon is most similar to the halberd (German), bardiche (Austrian), and voulge (French), with the naginata (Japanese), guandao (Chinese), bhuj (Indian), sovnya (Russian), and palma (Siberian) being plausible alternatives.
Guan Yu (160–220 AD), a Chinese warlord from the Three Kingdoms period, was almost always seen brandishing a glaive, which was known as guandao, yanyuedao, or dadao. He was a Chinese military general famous for his glaive which supposedly weighed 82 catties (about 50 kg or 110 lbs). His weapon went by the moniker Green Dragon Crescent Blade.
In the “Avengers”
Avengers: Infinity War featured a powerful version of this weapon for a villain. This picture shows Corvus Glaive’s weapon during the filming. It can pierce Vision’s Vibranium armor, deflect his Mind Stone-fueled energy shot, and disperse the sonic waves from Shuri’s Vibranium Gauntles.
When the Glaive Became a Throwing Weapon
For some reason, the term “glaive” has also been used to describe a fantastical multi-edged throwing weapon since the 1980s, conceptually similar to but bigger than the Japanese ninja shuriken.
Such weapons are often given the capacity to “bounce back” to the thrower, either magically or through the boomerang concept. Fantasy novels and movies (like Krull from 1983, which has a five-pointed glaive) as well as video games (Dark Sector, Torchlight 2, Warframe, and Dungeon Siege II) depict characters who throw glaives.
In the “Keeper of Swords”
Nick Perumov’s “The Keeper of Swords” (not released in English) has a protagonist named Ker Laeda, also known as the warrior of the Grey League of Fess, also known as the necromancer “Neyasynth”. And he favors the glaive as his primary weapon.
Ker Laeda’s glaive is still not emblematic of the weapon as a whole. It has two blades (or cutting points), which makes it a double-edged pole. It is also much shorter and lighter than the real weapon, which is not designed for delicate swordwork.
Unlike other long-bladed weapons, Ker Laeda has no trouble wielding it in underground environments like tunnels. Plus, a hefty, long glaive has little chance of stopping an arrow shot at point-blank range. Ker Laeda’s weapon is also detachable, in that it turns into two swords.
Many people, inspired by Nick Perumov’s work, incorrectly assume that glaives always have two blades, despite the fact that weapons with blades on both ends of the pole are very rare.
Glaive at a Glance
What is a glaive?
A glaive is a European polearm used in close combat by heavy infantry. It is made of a wooden pole between 4 to 5 feet long with a spearhead of 1.3 to 2 feet long and 2 to 2.8 inches in width. The tip of the glaive is a single-edged blade in the shape of a broad falchion. It also has a spike at the butt of the blade, which serves to grip the enemy’s weapon when reflecting an overhead blow and inflict more effective thrusts against opponents wearing armor.
What is the history of the glaive?
The glaive was first developed from the war scythe between 1200 and 1400. By the 14th century, it had evolved into a genuine weapon, crafted by expert weaponsmiths. At this time, the glaive had been carried as a personal weapon, most notably by crossbowmen. It was a weapon of the palace guard up until the 18th century when it fell out of use. Originally a weapon of battle mainly in the 15th century, the glaive was later adopted as a symbol of nobility in royal courts and by the bodyguard of the Doge of Venice from the 16th through the 18th centuries.
What are the different versions of glaive?
A glaive can have a wide, axe-like point at one end and a simple ball-shaped counterweight at the other. From the butt of the blade, sometimes a spike is laid parallel or directed at a small angle to the blade. The lowest portion of the glaive’s pole also features a spike called a “spur” or “heel,” although this piece is often not sharpened but pointed. Glaives with heraldic ornamentation, such as coats of arms or seals, can help historians place them in a certain time period.
A cold weapon with a warhead in the shape of a blade fixed to the handle is referred to as an edged weapon. An edged weapon is also known as a bladed weapon. The edged weapons include swords, knives, rapiers, daggers, and sabers. The tip of some polearms, such as glaives, is fashioned like a blade, but despite this, it is not categorized as an edged weapon but as a thrusting weapon.
Blade Length in Edged Weapons
The blade is an elongated metal warhead whose specifications affect the specifics of the damage done. Edged weapons may chop, slash, pierce, pierce-cut, or chop-cut depending on the form of the blade and the composition of the tip and blades.
When it comes to length, there are three main blade lengths for the edged weapons:
Short-bladed: Up to 12 in (30 cm)
Medium-bladed: 12 to 20 in (30 to 50 cm)
Long-bladed: Longer than 20 in (50 cm)
History of Edged Weapons
The knife was the first weapon to include a blade. In other words, it was the first edged weapon in history. Swords and daggers followed. A group of researchers from Rome University uncovered nine edged weapons from 3300 BC in the 1980s. The experts concluded that the Arslantepe swords were the earliest and oldest swords ever found. An arsenic and copper alloy were used to create them.
The mechanical advantage of single-edged swords over double-edged ones made them ideal for use in equine combat. In the 7th century, the swords developed a little curve that led to the creation of sabers.
The curve gave the edged swords better striking power than traditional swords, especially when riding on a horse. By the 13th century, they had spread over most of Asia and Eastern Europe, where they ultimately replaced most other edged weapons.
Once the stabbing qualities of swords were improved, the first small swords and later rapiers emerged in Europe in the 15th century.
Types of Edged Weapons
The classification of edged weapons is done according to their form and function. Throughout history, several edged weapons have been given definitive names:
The combat knife predates all other edged weapons because of its ability to pierce and cut. Since the Upper Paleolithic period (40,000–10,000 BC), we have known mostly about stone knives used for cutting. Copper, bronze, iron, and eventually steel knives with a piercing edge developed much later.
Almost every culture throughout history has used and continues to use combat knives. Their size usually varies between 10 and 12 inches.
Dagger
Belt knives and daggers.
A dagger has a short to medium 2-sided blade that can pierce armor and cut through clothing. The blade might have a straight or curved profile.
The length of a dagger may vary from 5 to 12 inches. Compared to daggers, knives are much more compact in design. The blade of a dagger normally has a single, sharp edge.
A dagger is distinct from a knife in that it is designed only for use in battle and not as a cutting tool. Two-edged daggers appeared here and there as well.
Stiletto
A stiletto is a kind of dagger with a short to medium, faceted or circular blade that is used for piercing. The length of a typical stiletto was about 12 inches (30 cm).
The stiletto is a direct descendant of the misericorde (“dagger of mercy”) carried by medieval knights into combat. It was designed to break through the weak spots in the knight’s armor and kill him while he was dismounted.
Various cultures made use of and adapted this kind of weapon. However, its tiny size made it ideal for covert operations. The Japanese kanzashi, for instance, was an edged weapon in the form of a hairpin.
Dirk
A dirk is a piercing weapon with a rhombic-shaped blade that is either short or medium in length. True dirks are the only edged weapons that fit this category. The length of a dirk can reach all the way up to 20 inches but not smaller than 12 inches. In other words, they are longer than knives, daggers, and stilettos but shorter than swords.
Scottish settlers in the 1700s brought the dirk to the United States. This weapon had a single edge at first, but by 1745, two edges became the norm. Dirks were often fashioned from dismantled swords.
Sword
Swords with basket hilt.
A sword is a two-edged stabbing and slashing weapon with a medium- to long-length straight blade. The Arslantepe swords from 3300 BC are the oldest swords ever found, and they are made of arsenic and copper alloy. Bronze swords from the 2nd millennium BC are also one of the first known examples of this edged weapon.
However, in other societies, bone and wooden swords with stone blades are documented as well, which may have been the forerunners of metal swords.
Swords combined the features of knives and axes. Over the centuries, some swords have become primarily designed for thrusting, while others are designed for cutting. This led to the emergence of new types of swords and other types of edged weapons. The length of an average sword is 30 inches (75 cm), while the weight is 2.5 lbs (1 kg).
Basket-Hilted Sword
A basket-hilted sword.
The basket-hilted sword is a sword-like weapon with a single, long, straight blade used for piercing and cutting. This edged weapon’s hilt was occasionally inclined to the axis of the blade to maximize effectiveness when used by cavalry.
The blade length of most basket hilt swords was between 32 and 36 inches. Including the hilt, the overall length of the sword might be anywhere from 39 to 45 inches.
In the past, the basket-hilted sword was occasionally used to describe a weapon with two blades or a curved shape; however, this is no longer the case. The 16th-century basket-hilted sword was widely used by heavy cavalry up to the time of Napoleon. It thereafter fell out of favor until the early 19th century.
Saber
A saber is a weapon with a long, curved blade, the “convex” side of which is used for cutting and stabbing. Curving the blade provided the sword with better cutting qualities, increasing its efficacy, and this alteration apparently occurred by chance.
Nomads in Eastern Europe and Central Asia likely came up with the saber at the same time since they were one of the earliest cavalries in history.
Turkic and Mongolic nomads of the Eurasian steppes used “Turko-Mongol sabers” between the 8th and 14th centuries. The length of their blades was between 30 and 40 inches (75 and 100 cm). The Avar cemetery in Romania contained the oldest discovered sabers from the 650s AD.
A shashka is a long, single-edged weapon used for cutting and chopping. The blades of the leppa and katana are all very similar to those of the shashka. It is a backsword with one blade and no guard.
The shashka is a hybrid weapon that combines elements of both a straight sword and a curved saber. The slightly bent blade can be used for cutting or thrusting with equal efficiency.
The most prevalent shashkas are without bows (Caucasian and Asian kinds), but there are also shashkas with bows (dragoon type) that seem like sabers but aren’t.
Small Sword
French smallsword with scabbard, c. 1780. (metmuseum.org)
The small sword is a sword with a long, straight blade that may have anywhere from one to four edges, with a well-developed hilt that is used for stabbing and cutting. The small sword was there because it was more effective for stabbing.
They are thinner and lighter than regular swords and are often preferred during duels.
Small swords typically have blades that are between 24 and 33 inches (60 and 85 cm) in length. Used by Polish-Lithuanian hussars in the Renaissance period, the koncerz is another kind of small sword.
Rapier
Rapier next to a sword-like dagger.
The blade of a rapier is long and straight and has some elasticity, while the guard is often cup-shaped. Rapiers were derived from swords. The Italian instructor Rocco Bonetti arrived in England in 1570 and promoted thrusting with the rapier rather than cutting or slashing in duels.
Rapiers are one of the longest types of edged weapons. Most rapiers have an average blade length of 41 inches (104 cm). Their blades can be single- or double-edged.
Fascine Knife
The fascine knife is a single-edged weapon with a medium-size blade that can be used for chopping, cutting, and stabbing. They are on the shorter side of the edged weapons.
Fascine knives may have highly distinctive blade forms, but their primary function is to deliver chopping strokes. The European fascine knife evolved from a shattered sword or saber blade when it was forged into a shorter and thicker one.
Despite its shorter but thicker blade, the fascine knife replaced the axe or other heavy weapons in northeastern Europe. Their blade size is usually around 25 inches (64 cm).
Weapons such as the falchion, machete, kopis sword (Ancient Greek), makhaira sword (Ancient Greek), falcata (pre-Roman Iberia), parang knife (Malay archipelago), kukri knife (Nepal), and golok sword (Malay archipelago) are all examples of the fascine knife.
The yatagan (yatağan in Turkish) is a knife-like weapon with a straight or double-curved blade that is sharpened on the interior for stabbing and slicing. The name derives from “laying” in Turkish, meaning “putting to bed with eternal sleep”. The Uruk-Hai in The Lord of the Rings were armed with yatagan, albeit rather modified ones.
In yatagan, blade width is typically consistent. Yatagans with a wider blade near the tip are rather rare. The design of the yatagan assures a “raking” movement that would cut and slice more effectively. Yatagan is a specific type of edged weapon, just like a saber or dirk.
Bayonet
The bayonet is a knife or sword that is affixed to the end of a handgun’s barrel and is used for stabbing or stabbing-cutting. This edged weapon made its debut in the 17th century. Bayonets, like other edged weapons, may come in a variety of forms, such as plug, socket, or sword bayonets.
Edged Weapons at a Glance
What are the three main blade lengths for edged weapons?
The three main blade lengths for edged weapons are short-bladed (up to 12 in or 30 cm), medium-bladed (12 to 20 in or 30 to 50 cm), and long-bladed (longer than 20 in or 50 cm).
What is the history of edged weapons?
The history of edged weapons dates back to the Upper Paleolithic period (40,000–10,000 BC) with stone knives used for cutting. Copper, bronze, iron, and eventually steel knives with a piercing edge developed much later. Swords and daggers followed, with the oldest swords ever found being the Arslantepe swords from 3300 BC made of arsenic and copper alloy. Over time, different types of edged weapons emerged, including the saber and rapier.
What are some types of edged weapons?
Some types of edged weapons include the combat knife, dagger, stiletto, dirk, and sword. The combat knife predates all other edged weapons, while a dagger is designed only for use in battle and not as a cutting tool. The stiletto is a type of dagger with a short to medium, faceted or circular blade that is used for piercing. A dirk is a piercing weapon with a rhombic-shaped blade, while a sword is a two-edged stabbing and slashing weapon with a medium- to long-length straight blade.
What is the difference between a dagger and a knife?
A dagger is distinct from a knife in that it is designed only for use in battle and not as a cutting tool. Daggers have a short to medium 2-sided blade that can pierce armor and cut through clothing, while knives are much more compact in design and their blade normally has a single, sharp edge.
