Tag: polearm

Rohatyn: A Slavic Bear Spear of the 12th Century

The rohatyn was a hefty Slavic spear used in close-quarters warfare and big-game hunting. This cold weapon had a big, double-edged blade, and it was characterized by its long shaft. When it came to hunting bears, a crossguard was attached beneath the rohatyn’s blade, preventing the bear from climbing on the weapon by grabbing onto this part. A Ukrainian town shares the same name as this edged weapon. The above picture features various rohatyn spearheads (the first three) along with a sovnya spear at the bottom.

Rohatyn
Type of weapon:	Polearm
Other names:	Bear spear, bärenspieß
Origin:	Slavs in Eastern Europe
Utilization	Mainly hunting, less often for military
Length:	Total: 80″ (2 m), blade: 12″ (30 cm)
Weight:	2–3 lbs (1–1.5 kg)

The Rohatyn Used for Hunting

Since a rohatyn was meant to cause a broad and deep wound, it was only used on huge and potentially dangerous animals such as brown bears, aurochs, and wild boars. Two hands were used to hold it while striking.

A crossguard was often placed underneath the point of the blade to prevent it from entering the wound too deeply, thereby keeping the beast at bay while not allowing the weapon to get stuck inside the animal and paving the way for a quick renewal of the blow.

Either the pointed end or the whole structure was known as a “rampage” in Russian. In fact, this piece gave birth to the Slavic idiom, “climbing the rampage”.

The rohatyn’s wooden shaft was roughly as tall as an average man and was constructed to withstand the weight of the attacking beast while the other end of the shaft was planted firmly in the ground thanks to its pointed tip.

According to the historian Pavel Vinkler, above and below the rohatyn’s blade were two decorative knobs that also served to counterbalance the weapon.

To make it easier for the warrior to handle the weapon, two or three metal branches were attached to the shaft. And for the wealthy, this part was adorned with golden or silver braid, silk ribbons, belts, and more.

The maximum length of a rohatyn was five cubits, or about 120 inches (3 m). The spear was often grooved to lighten it, but this rendered it unusable for cuts and limited it to thrusts instead.

The Rich History of the Hunting Rohatyn

The rohatyn spear of the Grand Prince Boris of Tver, 1400--1461. — The rohatyn spear of the Grand Prince Boris of Tver, 1400–1461.

The exact origins of the rohatyn are uncertain, but this weapon boasts a rich and ancient history. From the Middle Ages to the early 18th century, both cavalry and infantry used this weapon. The people of Ruthenia (Kievan Rus’) and Poland used it often in battle and to hunt enormous games.

According to one source, Daniel of Galicia, the first King of Ruthenia (Rus’), personally killed three wild boars with the weapon in 1255.

The most well-known example is Prince Boris of Tver’s weapon, who was the Grand Prince of Tver until 1461. This rohatyn was forged in the first part of the 15th century.

The images on its ferrule (spear-butt or socket) have been linked to Christian symbolism or to historical events in the life of Boris of Tver, although their precise significance is unclear. The weapon is specifically mentioned in the 1678 Kremlin Armoury:

“The rohatyn is made of red damask, the ferrule is covered with intricately gilded silver — the engravings depict plants, people, and birds; on the edge of the ferrule, there are two lines with the inscription: ‘Rohatyn of Grand Duke Boris Alexandrovich’. The value of the weapon was estimated at 400 rubles“

According to one estimation, 400 rubles in the 1600s would be equal to 2,000,000–3,500,000 USD today.

Until the turn of the 20th century, bears were still often hunted using rohatyn. Although relatively uncommon, “bear spears” were also present in Western Europe.

The Battle Rohatyn

Compared to the hunting species, the battle Rohatyns especially had enormous piercing strength because of their significant weight and could be used to slash or pierce anything, such as plate armor.

The spear’s steel tip varied greatly in size, and it was often in the form of a laurel leaf.

The whole length of the blade (including the ferrule or spear-butt) could be anywhere from 8 to 24 inches (20 to 60 cm), with a breadth that could approach 3 inches (7 cm). The width of the ferrule ranged from 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm).

The regular rohatyn spearheads weighed between 0.45 and 0.90 lb (0.2 and 0.4 kg), whereas the whole spear weighed closer to 2.2 lb (1 kg). The rohatyn had the heaviest, most powerful, and widest spearhead of any Russian spear in history.

Rohatyn’s Historical Origin

Similar to the boar spears, the rohatyn has its origins within the Eastern European populations. However, in contrast to the boar spear (a.k.a. “saufeder“) developed by the Germans during the Roman Empire era, the rohatyn emerged at a later time after the Slavic communities had firmly established themselves in the regions of Russia, Ukraine, and Poland.

According to historical records, the first sighting of the rohatyn occurred in the 12th century. In 1149, it was first mentioned as a weapon of war according to the Laurentian Codex.

In the 1444 campaign of Vasily II of Moscow against the Tatars, chroniclers recalled the combat usage of the rohatyn in the failed fight of 1377 between the Russians and the Tatar Khan Arapsha (Arab-Shah Muzaffar).

Beginning in the 16th century, the “feudal cavalry” (i.e., Landed Army) also used rohatyns. More than ninety percent (93%) of the over 200 analyzed spearheads from the 15th through 17th centuries in Russia were found to be made of rohatyn.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, this weapon closely resembled pre-Mongolian spears. And it wasn’t until the 17th century that new varieties started to emerge.

Both foot soldiers and mounted knights made effective use of battle rohatyns. The soldiers were able to halt battle horses and deal with troops wearing various types of armor.

The Russian army continued to utilize them until the late 17th century. Finally phased out of military service and replaced by firearms, they were popular hunting tools at the turn of the 18th century.

Description of the Rohatyn

This is an etching of a scene from a bronze plate from the time of Vendel (c. 540–790 AD) that was found in Öland, Sweden. On the right is a berserker, while on the left is Oden or Odin.

The details about this spear’s construction and various features can be gleaned from historical descriptions.

Most rohatyn spears were made of high-quality steel and had intricate engravings and embellishments. In some species, the spearhead was adorned with gold, and below it, there were decorative markings.

The central part of the spear could be decorated with gilded patterns, and some shafts were made of white bone with a scaly texture. Above the shaft, there could be more decorative elements, such as silver-gilded branches (decorative protrusions).

Some spears had intricately woven handles made of gold and silver thread, adorned with crimson accents. The mouthpiece (at the end of the spearhead) could be made of silver, and some examples were wrapped with a green silk strap. In terms of value, a decorative rohatyn spear could be worth 60 rubles.

Etymology of the Rohatyn

In the “Hypatian Codex” under the year 1256, it is stated: “He, the warrior, wielded his sword, taking the rohatyn from his belt, swung it far and struck the Yatvyazhsky Prince from his horse.” At first glance, the term “rohatyn” appears to refer to a lightweight throwing weapon, similar to a javelin carried in a belt sheath.

However, based on the same Hypatian Codex, this weapon could be a blunt and crushing type, similar to a mace or club: In the 11th to 13th centuries, objects of this kind used for military purposes were called ‘rogvitsa,’ ‘rogovitsa,’ ‘rogditsa,’ or ‘rohatyn.’ In battle, the ‘rohatyn’ (worn at the belt) was aimed at striking the head and even thrown at the enemy.

Some historians also mention that the word may have Greek origins. Additionally, in the Polish language, the word “rohatyna” (meaning “spear”) is borrowed from Russian, while “rogacina” refers to the arrowhead.

In the Russian city of Veliky Novgorod, there is a street called “Rogatitsa,” and in Bosnia and Ukraine there are towns named Rogatica and Rohatyn, respectively.

Rohatyn in Scandinavia

The ancient Scandinavians had spears that were similar in design. In contrast to the shorter blade (8 in; 20 cm), the spear-butt could be up to 20 inches (50 cm) in length. Hand-to-hand combat was the primary means of using what the Scandinavians referred to as “spike in armor” spears.

It is easy to tell Western-made Viking spears apart from Slavic ones because of the decorative silver notches the latter added to the spear-butts.

The Scandinavian rohatyn in Egil’s Saga (c. 850–1000):

The spear’s head was two cubits (36 in; 90 cm) long and had a four-sided blade at the top. The upper part of the spearhead was wide, and the socket [spear-butt] was long and thick. The shaft was of such length that one could reach the socket with a hand while standing. It [socket] was very thick and reinforced with iron. An iron spike fastened the socket to the shaft.
Egil’s Saga (c. 850–1000)

Thorolf Kveldulfsson is a hero of the early part of Egil’s Saga who uses a rohatyn:

Thorolf became so enraged that he threw his shield behind his back and gripped the spear with both hands. He charged forward, slashing and thrusting at the enemies to his right and left. People scattered in different directions, but he managed to kill many of them.

Since a sword’s tip could easily crack upon impact with the thick socket of the rohatyn, wearing this spear conferred an edge over a sword-wielding fighter. The last battle in the 1995 film “The Viking Sagas” features such a spear.

Such spears saw service on both land and sea for the Vikings. By throwing a rohatyn-like spear into the enemy ship, the hövding (tribal leader among Scandinavians) would begin the boarding attack.

The later Swedish spears were also similar in design and they also served as support (or stabilizer) for musket shooting.

Rohatyn at a Glance

What were the main uses of the Rohatyn spear?

The Rohatyn spear was primarily used for hunting, particularly to target large and dangerous animals such as brown bears, aurochs, and wild boars. It was also utilized for military purposes, both by cavalry and infantry, during the Middle Ages and the early 18th century.

How did the crossguard contribute to hunting with the Rohatyn?

The crossguard, placed beneath the blade of the spear, played a crucial role in hunting. It prevented the targeted animal, especially bears, from climbing up the spear by grabbing onto this part. This feature ensured the hunter’s safety and allowed for a swift renewal of the attack.

What was the significance of the decorative knobs on the Rohatyn?

According to historian Pavel Vinkler, the decorative knobs above and below the blade of this spear served two purposes. They not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the weapon but also acted as counterweights, ensuring better balance during combat or hunting.

How did the Rohatyn spear evolve over time?

This spear has a rich and ancient history, with variations emerging over different periods. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it closely resembled pre-Mongolian spears. New varieties began to emerge in the 17th century, with battle versions being developed specifically for piercing and slashing, capable of dealing with various types of armor. Eventually, firearms replaced the spear in military service by the late 17th century, but it remained in use as a hunting tool until the turn of the 18th century.

References

Medieval Weapons: An Illustrated History of Their Impact – Kelly DeVries, Robert Douglas Smith – Google Books
The Use of Medieval Weaponry – Eric Lowe – Google Books

May 25, 2023

Ranseur: A 15th-Century Polearm That Looks like a Trident
The ranseur, a large polearm with three blades, was employed as a backup to the pike in infantry squares in the 15th century. The ranseur’s center blade was usually rather long and occasionally huge in the form of the ox tongue spear, while the two flanking blades were variable in length and shape as they branched out from the central blade’s conical gorge. The ranseur is most often confused with the brandistock, a short pole weapon with three blades. Typically, a ranseur was taller than six feet.
Ranseur
Type of weapon: Polearm
Other names: Roncone
Origin: Corsica Island, Middle Ages weaponry
Utilization Infantry and ceremonial
Length: 70–120″ (1.8–3 m)
Weight: 3.3–4.8 lbs (2–2.2 kg)
The Purpose of Its Crescent Crossguard
In military history, this edged weapon is believed to have originated in Italy, just like many other medieval weapons. And it became widespread in the 16th and 17th centuries. The crossguard of this polearm generally lacked blades, as its purpose was to block enemy weapons.
On occasion, the crossguard could be folded back—like a corseque—allowing its ends to function as hooks for grappling with opponents, such as dismounting riders from their horses. Most ranseurs produced for battle typically measured 70 inches (1.8 m) in length or longer.
Ranseur’s Origin
Warrior with a ranseur. Watercolor, 1575. (Universiteitsbibliotheek UGent, CC BY-SA 4.0)
The word “ranseur” comes from French, which in turn originated from Corsica, the Romance language spoken on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. This weapon is sometimes confused with the corseque in terminology.
The central blade of this weapon was often longer and sharper than that of its “cousin” pole weapons, the partisan and corseque. The ranseur is mistakenly known as “roncone,” which looks more like a guisarme than anything else.
The ranseur’s head is a spear’s tip with a cross hilt attached to its base, and it is widely believed that this design is a direct descendant of the older spetum. This hilt is often crescent-shaped, making the weapon seem like a trident.
The ranseur is sometimes lumped in with other poled weapons by the most simplistically placed in the ranks of “spears” without any differentiation of excellence, unlike weapons with better-known histories like the halberd or the partisan.
The crescent hilt of the ranseur makes it look like a trident.
Italian linguists like to take a very straightforward approach to categorizing weaponry. The entry for the ranseur weapon in the fourth edition of the Vocabulary of the Academicians of the Crusca is a good example of this:
“Spices of arms, in a rod similar to the pike. Lat. pilum [a Roman javelin].”
The Vocabulary of the Academicians of the Crusca, by Bastiano De’ Rossi, edition 4, p. 464
The ranseur was a polearm weapon used for thrusting attacks. It developed from the estoc sword, which infantry armies used in the 14th and 15th centuries to pierce the heavy armor of enemy knights.
During the evolution from one-handed thrusting weapons to two-handed polearms, a notable transformation occurred with the introduction of the spetum—a variant of the ranseur featuring a shorter handle, roughly equivalent in length to the metal part.
Most ranseurs were typically 6 feet (1.8 m) or longer.
The triple tines (prongs or teeth) on a ranseur are ideal for warding off an armored foe at a safe distance. They are a unique characteristic that connects this melee weapon to the specialized hunting spears (Lat. venabulum) that have been employed since the Carolingian Dynasty (7th century) to kill large animals (see boar spear).
8 feet (244 cm) in length, c. 1540, Italian. (Image: Metmuseum)
So, the ranseur is a cross between a spetum and a pike, a deadly weapon meant to kill the most formidable “prey” of all: the heavily armored horse-riding European knights.
Ranseur’s History
During the early 16th century, the ranseur rose in prominence among the Life Guards, and by the latter half of the century, it had become widely adopted as a ceremonial weapon. This cold weapon was particularly popular among Italian, Spanish, Swiss, and German infantry troops throughout its history.
The European infantrymen clearly used the ranseur to attack from a distance and keep the enemy at bay. The pike, on the other hand, was designed to either impale the opponent or to form a wall of metal spikes that drove the adversary away.
A 16th-century Italian creation, 97 in (246 cm) in length.
The ranseur was used to strike repeatedly at the enemy in order to move it or weaken it. With this trident-like spear in hand, the infantryman was able to perform a kind of fencing:
“RANSEUR. Polearms that resemble pikes but have a shorter handle and a longer shaft, looking somewhat like a long sword [see spadone] perched on a staff.”
Italian Military Dictionary by Giuseppe Grassi, p. 286
Already in the 17th century, the ranseur had become a ceremonial weapon, or at least one destined for specialized training in guardhouses, despite having been used in the field as early as the 15th century.
A 16th-century Italian creation.
In a battlefield dominated by the “Pike and Shot” battle tactics (which involved using firearms alongside long pikes or spears) of the Spanish tercios (military units), which was destined to develop into the “regimental” system introduced by the Swedes at the close of the Thirty Years War, the stationed fencing tactic of the ranseur was eventually pushed aside.
The weapon was particularly popular among Italian, Spanish, Swiss, and German infantry troops.
On the other hand, the ranseur saw extensive use during the Republic of Venice’s Cretan War (1645–1669) with the Ottoman Empire. The conflict ended after a very long siege by the Turks against the whole Venetian defenses on the island of Crete.
Elaborate ceremonial variants with gilded blades and handles adorned with silk can be found in the collections of Vienna and Madrid. Notably, these ceremonial ranseurs feature a design that allows not only the shaft but also the lateral blades to be folded.
The Use of the Ranseur
Various attacks can be executed with this polearm, such as:
1. Using it like a conventional spear for straightforward thrusts.
2. Employing lateral strikes with the side blades of the main spear to deliver cutting blows.
3. Diverting or disarming enemy weapons by employing the side branches (slats).
4. Hooking and unbalancing adversaries, leading to their overthrow and potential dismounting from horseback, using the side branches.
In contrast to the double-edged partisan, most ranseur hilts did not include a cutting edge. But the weapon could still be used to trap an opponent’s weapon below the main blade, where pressure could be applied from a distance with a simple twist of the shaft, or to dismount a mounted opponent.
This polearm had a number of benefits as an infantry weapon. Thanks to the weapon’s long shaft, the foot troops could attack from a distance while still keeping control. In order to grab and disable an opponent’s weapon, or possibly disarm them entirely, the three-bladed head was often useful.
The weapon could be used both for trusting and slashing.
Infantrymen armed with this weapon could use its sharp blades to slash through armor and thrust their opponents where they were weak. The weapon’s prongs were useful for thrusting strikes, either because they could break through armor joints or because they expanded the weapon’s hitting surface.
The weapon could be used for either slicing or thrusting because of its design and balance. The prongs of this weapon could be used to seize and grip an opponent’s weapon or armor, rendering them helpless and making them easier to disarm. When fighting on a horse, this could be a huge advantage.
The weapon was particularly useful against foot soldiers since the rider could utilize the horse’s motion as leverage to throw off the target’s balance or seize control of them.
The weapon remained a popular choice especially among the Swiss weapons and the German polearms in Renaissance warfare.
The Construction of the Ranseur
Among the historical polearms, the ranseur is an offshoot of the spetum and consists of the following:
- A head made of metal, gorged like a pyramid, tapers to a long, sharp middle blade (which is sometimes called an “ox tongue”).
- Two metal projections emerge from this gorge; one resembles a fork, while the other may have been interpreted as a blade.
- Some examples have lateral prongs so thin and projecting parallel to the center tooth that the weapon can be considered a true battle trident.
- All ranseurs have a large wooden shaft, on par with that of a halberd or glaive.
References
The Italian ranseur in the featured image: BRANDISTOCCO – Lotsearch.net
Italian Military Dictionary – Giuseppe Grassi – Google Books
Vocabulary of the Academicians of the Crusca, by Bastiano De’ Rossi – Google Books
European Weapons and Armour: From the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution – Ewart Oakeshott – Google Books
May 23, 2023
Boar Spear: A Weapon of Manliness in Ancient Rome
The Germanic barbarians of the Roman era created and popularized a new sort of spear known as the boar spear. The boar spear has a diamond-shaped metal tip mounted on a short, heavy shaft with lugs (sometimes called “wings”) at the gorge to prevent the boar from charging the hunter while s/he is impaling the animal. Its basic design is similar to that of the winged lance, a medieval weapon popular at the time, as well as the Bohemian earspoon of the 14th century.
Boar Spear
Type of weapon: Polearm
Other names: Saufeder in German
Origin: Germanic barbarians
Utilization Hunting and infantry
Total length: 90 inches (2.3 m)
Weight: 4 lb (1.8 kg)
The wings on the boar spear also made it useful in battle, as they could be snagged on an opponent’s shield and torn off, or they could be forced forward to deflect an oncoming spear. In the 16th century, the boar spear was a prestige symbol for the leaders of the foot army as well as a weapon of combat.
Boar spears can sometimes be confused with bear spears or rogatinas.
During the High Middle Ages (1000–1300), these edged weapons were still in use, although they eventually died out due to the popularity of the jousting lance. A version with a longer tip was employed for combat in Italy in the 15th century.
Boar spear, French, dated 1576.
Some modern-day boar hunters still use hounds and boar spears, much like their medieval ancestors. A mature wild boar has impressive strength. When it protects itself, it poses a major threat because of the severity of the damage it can inflict.
The Origins of the Boar Spear
In the civilizations of the Indo-Europeans, hunting wild boars has always played a significant role, frequently serving as a test of bravery and manliness as well as a means of providing for basic survival needs. Initiation into maturity was marked by the first wild boar hunt among the ancient Romans.
Similarly, in the amphitheaters of minor rural villages remote from the big gladiatorial circuit in Rome and Capua, the slaughter of wild pigs was a highly admired sight. The boar spear was born as a new cold weapon out of this need.
Men on a hunting expedition, all equipped with boar spears. Tapestry woven in Belgium in the 15th century. (Valerie McGlinchey, Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic)
Although the Latin-Italic peoples did not invent the boar spear used for hunting wild boar, its origins can be traced back to the period of the Roman Empire.
The Germanic barbarians invented the wild boar spear because their civilization centered on hunting and wild animals (such as boars, bears, and wolves) had an essential symbolic role in their society.
After the wild boar had been captured and debilitated by the hounds, it was killed using the boar spear (“saufeder” in German). It was a big and heavy weapon fitted with lug wings to keep the beast at a safe distance from the hunter.

History of the Boar Spear
The Germans, for their part, resorted to using the boar spear in combat as well. The weapon’s durability ensured that it could easily break through hostile shields and armor. The “wings” on the spear made it more versatile, allowing it to catch an enemy shield or deflect a strike from another spear or sword, such as the partisan, guisarme, or flamberge.
The Roman Empire began systematically recruiting Germans as mercenaries in the 2nd century AD, and it was at this time that this massively tipped boar spear with stopping “wings” spread across Germany.
Evidence of the weapon and its employment may be seen in numerous mosaics, thanks to the widespread Germanization of the Empire that ensured its inclusion in Roman art by the 4th century AD.
Changes to the Boar Spear in the Middle Ages
16th-century German boar spear.
Roman-barbarian fighters (Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Burgundians, Lombards, Franks, etc.) and later troops of the Holy Roman Empire utilized the same sort of spear for both wild boar hunting and fighting during the High Middle Ages (1000–1300).
An explicit mention is made of a boar hunting episode featuring Emperor Charlemagne in the book Karolus Magnus et Leo papa. Charlemagne successfully hunts a wild boar with the weapon. The book is preserved at the Abbey of St. Gall and attributed (likely erroneously) to the poet Angilbert (740–814).
Odin, the ultimate warrior-god, was often shown by the Vikings in Northern Europe, who lived outside the cultural basin of Carolingian Europe, with a holy Gungnir spear with the usual lugs of a boar’s spear.
It is interesting to note that the Germanic wedge formation, which was favored in combat and was said to have been created by the deity Odin, was also known as the “formation with the boar’s head” (Svinfylking in Old Norse or caput porcinum in Latin). Saxo Grammaticus’s Gesta Danorum gives a detailed account of the Germans’ strategic usage of the wedge.
The Holy Lance, an icon of the Holy Roman Empire (the lance that is said to have pierced the side of Jesus while he was crucified on the cross), is a modified boar spear with two mock blades running the length of the weapon from its lugs to its tip.
After the jousting spear developed as the preferred weapon of the Franco-Norman heavy cavalry in the Late Middle Ages (1300–1500), the boar spear was consigned to the ranks of infantry armies.
The Decline of the Boar Spear
Roman boar spear sarcophagus detail. (Image)
Long-bladed swords (see spadone) also began to proliferate in the hunting field as the tactical and symbolic significance of the sword increased along with advancements in European metallurgy as a result of contact with the eastern Mediterranean basin through the Crusades (such as Damascus steel).
After the wild boar had been crippled and trapped by the hounds and by the servants armed with spears, the high-ranking European hunters started to use their swords to exterminate the beast.
Even among the Carolingian emperors, who saw wild boar hunting as a good way to practice their martial arts, the trend persisted and even grew during the Late Middle Ages (1300–1500), eventually giving rise to the Renaissance-era invention of the “hunting sword”.
In the 15th century, foot soldiers were still using the boar spear. This included not just the common infantryman but also the knight, who had been forced to fight on the ground instead of on horseback.
The master of fencing, Fiore dei Liberi (1350–1410) details the precise use of the boar spear against an opponent on horseback in his work Flos Duellatorum (around 1409–1410). This involves striking the enemy in the head with both the spear’s tip and its handle.
The Boar Spear’s Design
When a boar spear was inserted into a chamber or rib cage, it was claimed to cause instantaneous death by severing the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels. Thus, a boar spear had to be very sturdy because of its intended use:
- The length of the metal head varied between 8 and 16 inches (20 and 40 cm). The “wings” (lugs) of the spear’s lozenge-shaped blade were attached to the shaft by a conical or pyramidal gorge. This metal point was heavy enough to ensure the weapon could penetrate the boar’s thick rib cage and deliver a lethal blow to the boar’s heart.
- The 80-inch (2 m) long rod was fashioned from a single piece of specially selected wood (such as the ash wood) to prevent breaking. It was sometimes wrapped in leather for a better grip and was designed to withstand the impact of the blow as well as the pressure exerted by the enraged animal. The hunters intended on keeping the animal blocked with the lugs.
The boar spear’s harsh edges were rounded down during the Renaissance to reflect the prevailing aesthetic and military trends of the period. For this reason, later versions of the weapon, notably those made in Italy, include a “leaf” blade similar to the pike’s and long, curved “wings” that resemble the corseque spear’s prongs.
Boar Spear Today
Even in modern times, the boar spear is employed to dispatch of wounded wildlife. When compared to a gunfire, killing a wild boar with a boar spear is preferable since the dogs hunting the pig are not put in danger and their hearing is not damaged by the loud explosion. While hunting, the boar spear is sometimes used as a defense weapon in case of an attack. However, expertise and experience are necessary while tackling this issue.
Aside from the aforementioned exceptional circumstance, the boar spear is mostly employed as a decorative object in hunting halls and as a trophy for meritorious hunters.
In many jurisdictions, shooting wild boar with nothing more than a boar spear is not against the law. But when there is a possibility of animal cruelty from inexperience or lack of competence, hunting with a boar spear becomes troublesome on a daily basis. Engaging in hand-to-hand combat with an aggressive animal carries the inherent risk of endangering one’s own well-being and life.
The Boar Spear at a Glance
What is a boar spear, and how was it used in battle?
The boar spear was a spear-like weapon popularized by the Germanic barbarians during the Roman era. It featured a diamond-shaped metal tip mounted on a short, heavy shaft with lugs or wings at the gorge. These wings served multiple purposes, such as preventing a charging boar from reaching the hunter and providing versatility in battle. They could be used to snag an opponent’s shield, tear it off, or deflect incoming attacks. The boar spear proved durable and effective, capable of breaking through shields and armor.
What role did the boar spear play in hunting and warfare throughout history?
The boar spear had a significant historical role in both hunting and warfare. In hunting, it originated from the need to capture and kill wild boars, which were highly symbolic and held cultural significance among the Germanic tribes. The weapon allowed hunters to keep a safe distance from the boar while delivering a lethal blow. In warfare, the boar spear was utilized by Germanic and Roman-barbarian fighters during the High Middle Ages. It provided them with a versatile and effective weapon for combat, capable of breaching shields and deflecting strikes.
How did the decline of the boar spear come about?
The popularity of the boar spear declined over time due to several factors. The emergence of long-bladed swords in the hunting field, as well as advancements in European metallurgy through contact with the eastern Mediterranean, contributed to the trend. High-ranking European hunters began using swords to finish off boars after they had been trapped and weakened by hounds and spears. Additionally, the rise of the jousting lance as the preferred weapon for heavy cavalry in the Late Middle Ages relegated the boar spear to infantry armies.
What were the key design features of the boar spear?
The boar spear was designed with durability and effectiveness in mind. Its metal head varied in length between 8 and 16 inches and had a lozenge-shaped blade with lugs or wings attached to the shaft. The sturdy 80-inch long wooden shaft, often wrapped in leather for a better grip, could withstand the impact of a blow and the force exerted by a boar. The rounded edges of the spear’s blade were later refined during the Renaissance to align with the aesthetic and military trends of the time, resulting in versions with a leaf blade and long, curved wings.
References
Flos duellatorum – Fiore Dei Liberi, Giovanni Rapisardi – Google Books
Medieval Combat: A Fifteenth-century Illustrated Manual of Swordfighting and Close-quarter Combat – Hans Talhoffer, 1467 – Google Books
The Danish History, Late 12th – Early 13th Century A.D., by Saxo Grammaticus – Gutenberg.org
Treasures from the Tower of London: An Exhibition of Arms and Armour – Alexander Vesey Bethune Norman, G. M. Wilson, 1982 – Google Books
May 18, 2023
Corseque: A 14th-Century Winged Polearm of the Corsica Island
During the Middle Ages, European armies utilized poled weapons such as the corseque, which had a shaft between 70 and 100 inches (1.8 and 2.5 m) in length and a metal head with a central blade (cusp) flanked by two prongs in the shape of curving wings. The convex edges in the corseque were more often used for cutting than the concave ones. The weapon appeared like a trident, the weapon of the sea god Poseidon. But this spear is actually a development of the 12th-century venabulum (hunting-spear) from the Middle Ages. It was in use until the early modern period (around the 17th century).
Corseque
Type of weapon: Polearm
Other names: Chauve-souris
Origin: Corsica Island
Utilization Infantry
Total length: 70 to 100 inches (1.8–2.5 m)
Weight: 6.5–9 lb (3–4 kg)
The Corseque’s Definition
The corseque is a cold weapon with two elongated blades, featuring large, strongly curved blade hooks on two sides. The hooks are used to grasp, pull closer, injure, unbalance, or overthrow the opponent.
Additionally, the hooks serve to drag down shields, hindering the opponent and depriving them of their cover.
The weapon was mainly used in Italy and France. Corsican mercenaries serving the Italian states and the French crown popularized this polearm throughout the 15th and 17th centuries.
The corseque was merely an intermediate development that mostly emerged in the 14th century and was eventually superseded by the glaive around the 16th century.
The History of the Corseque
Corseque, c. 1520, Italy, Venice, 106 in (270 cm) in length (along with the chauve-souris on the right which resembles a ranseur). (Image: The Cleveland Museum of Art)
The corseque weapon got its name because it was first created on the island of Corsica, near France and Italy. The weapon is widely believed to be one of the many military developments of the hunting-spear originally designed for hunting large, hazardous animals like wild boars, bears, etc. (such as the boar spear)
It is thought that this weapon, which can penetrate an object and then hook it by pulling it to the ground, is a cross between a hunting-spear and a pike. The French polearm also has similarities to the partisan weapon.
Other theories suggest the spetum and ranseur pole weapons as the origins of the corseque.
The curved prongs (also known as flukes or wing blades) of the infantryman’s corseque would hook onto the corners of the knight’s armor, enabling the wielder to forcefully pull the rider from his horse. The weapon with curved hooks or wings looking up, toward the blade, is known as a ranseur.
c. 1530, North Italy. Steel. 100 in. (254 cm); Blade: 10.2 in. (26 cm); Weight: 5.86 lb (2.66 kg).
Since the long and tapered metal tip of the corseque was sturdy, it could be sharpened several times and used to pierce plate armor. The central spike could either be used to attempt to pierce the breastplate of a cuirass or the visor of a helmet.
The Corseque’s Variants
There are ceremonial versions of this edged weapon that were never created for warfare. Originally, they attempted to represent the French monarchial symbol “fleur-de-lis” and served as a weapon for troops and guards of the aristocracy. This version was primarily used during the 16th century.
Two distinct varieties of this weapon existed:
- The true corseque has a long central blade (cusp) that’s either rhomboidal or square in cross-section, and it’s tailed off at the base by two spread and arched wings that each finish in a spike. The concave sides are often not sharpened at all.
- The chauve-souris, unlike the true corseque, has triangular side blades instead of the wings and longitudinal ribs that branch out from the gorge. The gorge is at a 45-degree angle from the two lateral webbed blades. The whole blade is razor sharp, making it ideal for thrusting rather than grappling. This variant of the corseque was usually ornate. Its name comes from the French word for “bat,” chauve, since the blades on the sides are sometimes compared to the wings of a bat.
There is also the “three-bladed staff” mentioned as part of Henry VIII’s (the former king of England, 1491–1547) arsenal. There are 80 rawcon spears in this arsenal, which suggests that the two weapons (rawcon and corseque) were not seen as interchangeable by 16th-century Englishmen.

A video by ThegnThrand, describing the main features of the corseque polearm.
Similar Weapons
The corseque is a polearm that has a core double-edged blade and two sharp, outstretched wings. The guard on the side blades protected the soldier’s hand as he stabbed with the main blade.
There are several closely related species of this European spear:
- Trident – lateral thin wings, usually without an edged blade, pointed, and the same length as the main spike.
- Ranseur – lateral branches are usually bent forward without an edged blade and are about twice as long as the main spike.
- Spetum – lateral branches directed forward at an angle of 45°, they are bladed.
- Corseca – the lateral branches, which are bladed, are directed forward and then bent backward. This version of corseque was popular in Spain.
- Partisan – lateral branches that are perpendicular or slightly folded forward, with edged blades.
The Corseque at a Glance
What is the origin of the corseque weapon?
The weapon originated on the island of Corsica, near France and Italy.
How were the curved prongs used in combat?
The curved prongs, resembling wings, were used to hook onto the corners of a knight’s armor, allowing the wielder to forcefully pull the rider from their horse.
What are the variants of this weapon?
There are two distinct variants. The true corseque has a long central cusp with spread and arched wings, while the chauve-souris has triangular blades, longitudinal ribs, and razor-sharp edges.
What are some similar weapons?
Similar weapons include the trident, ranseur, spetum, corseca, and partisan, each with their own variations in blade shape and direction of lateral branches.
References
Hunting Weapons: From the Middle Ages to the Twentieth Century – Howard L. Blackmore – Google Books
The Medieval Tournament (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) by R. Coltman Clephan, 1995 – Abebooks
Weapons and Warfare : Armies and Combat in Medieval Times by Hilliam, Paul, 2003, Abebooks
May 18, 2023

Guisarme: Farmer’s Tool in Peace, Soldier’s Weapon in War

The guisarme is a medieval pole weapon that looks like a halberd but has a sickle-like blade on two sides and terminates in a spearhead at the bottom with one or more spikes. As a refined form of the billhook, this cold weapon first appeared in the 11th century. As more and more polearms featured the same hook, the term “guisarme” grew to encompass any polearm with a hook on the blade. The names bill-guisarme, voulge-guisarme, and glaive-guisarme are examples of this.

The Etymology of the Guisarme

The French word “guisarme”, which was borrowed into English, has its roots in another French word wîsarm, which in turn derives from the Germanic wisarme.

In other sources, the origin of this name is a Germanic word called getīsarn in Old High German, which meant “weeding iron”. It possibly refers to the production of iron and iron tools through smelting and forging.

Italian guisarme, 16th century. (MetMuseum)

The word likely came from the Proto-Germanic getīhsernan, which meant “to make ironwork” or “to work with iron”. However, the original name of this edged weapon still remains a theory.

The peasants of rural Europe who were obligated to serve in the military helped spread this sort of weapon/tool throughout the Middle Ages. For instance, the Venetian Republic’s territorial holdings in Italy had a sizable population of cernida (territorial armies) who used this weapon.

Guisarme
Type of weapon:	Polearm
Other names:	Welsh Hook, Forest Bill, Roncone, Rossschinder
Origin:	Germanic or English/French
Distribution:	Throughout Europe
Total length:	Around 80 to 100 inches (2-2.5 m)
Weight:	6.5-9 lb (3-4 kg)

The Guisarme’s Design

In the guisarme weapon, there are elements of the spear, billhook (an agricultural tool used to cut tree branches), poleaxe, and war hammer (see: Bec de Corbin). The three main parts of the weapon include a wooden handle, a curved blade with spikes and a hook, and a pommel with a spearhead.

The two-handed polearm’s shaft is often crafted from wood and has a rounded handle. The spear point is attached to the end of a blade resembling a poleaxe or billhook, the forerunners of this weapon.

16th century Italian guisarme. (MetMuseum)

Thus, the polearm could be used to attack the opponent and also to unseat opposing riders or hamstring their steeds with the hook, with its piercing and cutting qualities.

As with the “sauroter” (the rear of the spear with a spike) on traditional spears like the dory spear (the chief spear of hoplites—heavy cavalry—in Ancient Greece), a pointed spike was often placed on the pommel.

The Variants of the Guisarme

Guisarme, along with most known polearms. (Image: Originally a Public Domain)

The bill-guisarme was a hybrid form of this weapon and the bill polearm that had a side spur unlike the first variants. A full chunk of iron was forged into the tip of this weapon. The bill featured a crescent-shaped or hooked blade that was sharpened on the inside and had a pointed tip for stabbing. It was useful against both armored and unarmored foes since it could be cut or pushed. Infantrymen of the late Middle Ages often carried this variant.
The voulge-guisarme was another variant of the weapon used in Europe throughout the 14th and 15th centuries. The blade was usually equipped with a spear tip in addition to its curved or hook-shaped cutting edge, which resembled a voulge. It was most effective against unarmored or poorly armored foes due to its primary usage in cutting and slashing strikes. Soldiers on foot and in infantry formations often employed this weapon.
The glaive-guisarme gained popularity in Europe during the 15th century. It resembled a glaive. This variant of the weapon was a long, single-edged bladed weapon. A hook or spike was often attached to the rear of the blade, which could be curved or straight. Its primary use was as a cutting and slicing weapon, giving its user the range and reach of a long polearm. Infantrymen and guardsmen alike were frequent users of this weapon.

Guisarme is sometimes known as the Welsh hook or forest bill.

The Use of Guisarme

The demonstration of the weapon in History.

The tip of the guisarme could be used to stab like a spear, while the pruning blade might be used as a hook to attempt to pull the riders or the legs of their mounts (by cutting the tendons of the enemy’s horse).

There are allusions to this weapon in literature as early as 12th-century England. Beginning in the 12th century and continuing through the 14th and 15th centuries, this form of plebeian weapon was often employed in the rural areas of Europe during the Middle Ages until the 19th century. For comparison, the earliest billhook itself (the ancestor of this weapon) dates back to the 11th century.

In the historical annals of the Peninsular War (1808–1814), the employment of this polearm is noted during the Galician uprisings against Napoleon’s forces.

Because of its characteristics as an agricultural tool, the guisarme was a successful balance between low cost and high utility—since there was a shortage of metal at the time and it offered both agricultural and military capabilities.

Guisarme in History

The guisarme weapon, in a part of the painting by Pinturicchio (1502–1509).

The Impressment (the taking of men into the military by compulsion) in Europe, who were known to make use of polearms resembling peasant implements, were the first to be credited with using the guisarme. This is a typical characteristic ascribed to polearms throughout history.

In one theory, the guisarme is said to have originated in either France or England, and to have developed from peasant implements such as the scythe or the glaive. The English infantry corps of the 14th century and the Franc-archers (a regular infantry in France) of the 15th century popularized this weapon throughout Europe.

Given the wide variety of multi-bladed pole weapons and the numerous etymological and translation challenges associated with them (bill, bill-hook, guisarme, bisarme, partisane, partisan, glaive, vougue, voulgue, fauchard, halberd, etc.), the French version (where archers were even called “guisarmiers” for a period) appears to be the most accurate name of this polearm.

As a result, there are occasional translation errors and historical reports that refer to a different kind of weapon. In a guisarme, the “hook” and “spike” were joined to a shaft of approximately 80 inches (2 m), and this simple weapon was especially employed to defend foot soldiers and/or archers in the aforementioned two nations.

The two major functions of this “composite” blade polearm—hooking and knocking down and assaulting by piercing—are its defining features. That’s where it got its start, and that’s where it changed further.

Later, in order to prevent strikes from being deflected by shields and armor, tiny spikes were added to the traditionally curved edge. This was done to assure “grip” on blows rather than to increase damage. However, the rudimentary design of the long spike at the top and the hook that emerges in the shape of a serpentine from the spear’s “iron” remained intact.

The contemporary English term for this weapon was “bill-hook,” a variation on “bill-guisarme,” and “guisarme” was used even when the weapon lacked an upper spike. According to this theory, the French word for the weapon—the guisarme—might be derived from the fauchard (another polearm) and faux de guerre (war scythe).

The “practical” length of these combat polearms was often equivalent to the height of a man’s extended arm, so that its length wouldn’t get in the way while swinging the spear from side to side. Keep in mind that large groups didn’t start using long spears in battle until much later in history.

The typical English soldier of the late Middle Ages stood between 67 and 70 inches (1.7 – 1.8 m), so a weapon of this sort would have to be at least 80 inches (200 cm) tall to reach its target.

The main blade of this weapon often had a long spike protruding from its bottom half in a perpendicular orientation; however, this detail varied from country to country. A typical form of the guisarme in 16th-century Italy resembled a halberd in shape but featured a longer, three-sided spike and a heavier hook that was sharpened on the inside, setting it apart from its English counterpart.

Guisarme in Europe

The guisarme was widely used in Europe as a defensive tool against bandits and wild animals and as an aggressive weapon in times of war.

The weapon is specifically named in the Letter of Discharge (a type of royal diploma issued by the “House of Accounts” in Portugal) of 1455, which was given to officials of the Crown at both the central and local administration levels and tasked with collecting the kingdom’s revenues and managing royal expenses.

In Pastrana tapestries, the weapon is featured prominently. Despite the guisarme’s reputation as a weapon of the common citizen, these tapestries show Afonso V of Portugal as the sole user of the polearm, which endows it with noble status.

Guisarme in Popular Culture

Arno with guisarme, Assassin's Creed Unity. — Arno with guisarme, Assassin’s Creed Unity.

Guisarme is featured in many movies, anime, TV shows, and video games. The weapon is featured most in detail in video games:

The Witcher 2: Assassin’s Of Kings (2011)
Gloria Victis (2016)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance (2018)
Mordhau (2019) (Also see: Mordhau: The Murder Stroke)
Assassin’s Creed: Unity (2014)

Guisarme at a Glance

What is the origin of the term and its etymology?

The term “guisarme” originated from the French word wîsarm, which has its roots in the Germanic word wisarme. Another theory suggests its origin as the Old High German word getīsarn, meaning “weeding iron.” These terms likely relate to the production of iron and iron tools through smelting and forging.

What are the main features of the guisarme’s design?

It is a pole weapon that combines elements of the spear, billhook, poleaxe, and war hammer. It typically consists of a wooden handle, a curved blade with spikes and a hook, and a pommel with a spearhead. The shaft is usually made of wood, and the blade resembles a poleaxe or billhook. The hook on the blade allows for dismounting riders or disabling their steeds.

What are the different variants of this weapon?

There are several variants of the weapon, including the bill-guisarme, voulge-guisarme, and glaive-guisarme. The first variant includes the properties of the bill polearm, featuring a crescent-shaped or hooked blade with a pointed tip. The latter variant resembles a voulge, with a curved or hook-shaped cutting edge and a spear tip. The last variant combines elements of the glaive, featuring a long, single-edged blade with a hook or spike attached to the rear.

What is the significance of this weapon?

The guisarme was used both as a defensive tool against bandits and wild animals and as an aggressive weapon in times of war. Its versatility made it popular among the common citizens, and it was often employed in rural areas of Europe from the 12th century to the 19th century. The weapon’s agricultural origins, coupled with its military capabilities, made it a cost-effective and practical weapon during a time of metal scarcity. Its use is documented in historical events such as the Galician uprisings during the Peninsular War.

References

Featured: File:Museo della Guerra – Armi ad asta 2.jpg – Wikimedia Commons, Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
Hafted Weapons in Medieval And Renaissance Europe: The Evolution of European Staff Weapons Between 1200 and 1650 – John Waldman – Google Books
European Weapons and Armour: From the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution – Ewart Oakeshott – Google Books
How to Read European Armour – Metropolitan Museum of Art Series – The Wallace Collection Shop

May 16, 2023

Ahlspiess (Awl Pike): A 15th-Century Anti-Armor Spear
May 13, 2023
Lucerne Hammer: A 15th-Century Swiss Weapon of All Trades
May 9, 2023

Bec de Corbin: A 15th-Century Polearm Inspired by a Raven

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

Italian halberd with a similar design elements to the Bec de Corbin, c. 1525: The spear point (upper part) and the raven's beak (left part). — 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.

References

Featured Image: (By CG-Zander on DeviantArt)
A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Countries and in All Times – George Cameron Stone, July 2 1999.
Halberd | Italian | The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Metmuseum.org.

May 8, 2023

Partisan Weapon: A 15th-Century Spear of the Humanists

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

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.

See also: Peter the Great Statue: Design and History

The partisan weapon for Queen Christina's trabant, made in 1649 at Jader's Mill. — The partisan weapon for Queen Christina’s trabant, made in 1649 at Jader’s Mill. (Attribution:
Livrustkammaren *(The Royal Armory)* / Erik Lernestål / CC BY-SA)

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). — 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.

References

Featured Image: Attribution: Livrustkammaren (The Royal Armoury) / CC BY-SA
Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor – Roger Ford, R.G. Grant, – Google Books.
The Use of Medieval Weaponry by Eric Lowe – Goodreads.
Partisan of the Swiss Guard of Friedrich August of Saxony (reigned 1694–1733) – The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

April 28, 2023

Voulge: This Weapon Created the First Regular French Army
April 18, 2023
Sovnya: A Rus’ Weapon Derived from the Bear Spear
April 16, 2023
Glaive: A Polearm Developed from the War Scythe
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.
A 17th-century glaive from Italy. (Image)
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.
The Different Versions of Glaive
Glaive weapon, Italy, 1600–1650. (Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art)
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.
Glaive in Popular Culture
Guan Yu’s Weapon
Statue of Guan Yu in Jingzhou Park. (Credit: SifaV6, CC BY-SA 4.0)
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.
References
Vocabolario Degli Accademici Della Crusca, Florence 1612, p. 320.
Medieval Weapons: An Illustrated History of Their Impact – Kelly DeVries, Robert Douglas Smith – Google Books
April 15, 2023

Tag: polearm

The Rohatyn Used for Hunting

The Rich History of the Hunting Rohatyn

The Battle Rohatyn

Rohatyn’s Historical Origin

Description of the Rohatyn

Etymology of the Rohatyn

Rohatyn in Scandinavia

Rohatyn at a Glance

What were the main uses of the Rohatyn spear?

How did the crossguard contribute to hunting with the Rohatyn?

What was the significance of the decorative knobs on the Rohatyn?

How did the Rohatyn spear evolve over time?

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Ranseur’s Origin

Ranseur’s History

The Use of the Ranseur

The Construction of the Ranseur

The Origins of the Boar Spear

History of the Boar Spear

Changes to the Boar Spear in the Middle Ages

The Decline of the Boar Spear

The Boar Spear’s Design

Boar Spear Today

The Boar Spear at a Glance

What is a boar spear, and how was it used in battle?

What role did the boar spear play in hunting and warfare throughout history?

How did the decline of the boar spear come about?

What were the key design features of the boar spear?

The Corseque’s Definition

The History of the Corseque

The Corseque’s Variants

Similar Weapons

The Corseque at a Glance

What is the origin of the corseque weapon?

How were the curved prongs used in combat?

What are the variants of this weapon?

What are some similar weapons?

The Etymology of the Guisarme

The Guisarme’s Design

The Variants of the Guisarme

The Use of Guisarme

Guisarme in History

Guisarme in Europe

Guisarme in Popular Culture

Guisarme at a Glance

What is the origin of the term and its etymology?

What are the main features of the guisarme’s design?

What are the different variants of this weapon?

What is the significance of this weapon?

What Distinguished the Bec de Corbin?

Origin and History of Bec de Corbin

Lucerne Hammer vs. Bec de Corbin

Bec de Corbin’s Design

Bec de Corbin in Popular Culture

Bec de Corbin at a Glance

What makes the Bec de Corbin different from other polearms?

How was the Bec de Corbin used in combat?

How did the Bec de Corbin differ from the horseman’s pick?

What is the difference between the Bec de Corbin and the Lucerne hammer?

History of the Partisan Weapon

Origin of the Partisan

Design of the Partisan Weapon

The Etymology of the Partisan

Types of the Partisan Spear

Partisan Weapon at a Glance

What is a partisan weapon?

What is the history of the partisan weapon?

How was the partisan weapon used?

What is the origin of the partisan weapon?

Glaive’s Etymology

History of the Glaive

The Different Versions of Glaive

Glaive in Popular Culture

Guan Yu’s Weapon

In the “Avengers”

When the Glaive Became a Throwing Weapon

In the “Keeper of Swords”

Glaive at a Glance

What is a glaive?