Until the late Middle Ages, gunpowder was barely used on the battlefield. Weapons of war included swords and spears, supported by bows and arrows. Battle axes could be used to destructive effect. The medieval battle axe also called battle-ax is an axe particularly designed for combat.
Axes made for battle ranged in weight from slightly over 0.5 kg to 3 kg, and in length from over 30 cm to upwards of 1.5 m.
Battle Axe History
The double-bladed axes were prevalent during Iron Age in the eastern Mediterranean Basin. Other forms of the axe, such as narrow axe heads were manufactured by artisans in the Middle East and then Europe during the Copper Age and the Bronze Age.
In ancient China and the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt, bronze battle-axe heads were used as infantry weapons and occasionally brandished as symbols of authority and status. Uses of battle axes were also recorded in ancient Greece and among the Roman Armies.
The medieval battle axes were rampant in Europe in the Viking Age. They were seen to be used throughout the rest of the middle ages until the end of the 16th century when gunpowder was used instead as a major military tactic. However, in the late 1940s, Prince Rupert was seen carrying a battle axe. In the 19th century, Napoleon’s Pioneer Corps also employed axes that were used for clearing vegetation.
Types of Battle Axe
Battleaxe was wielded by the English armored foot soldiers. Two types are evident. A smaller one-handed axe that could also be used as a club and that, in one or two cases, maybe being thrown. The larger axe is usually wielded with both hands.
Tabarzin was a traditional battle axe of Persia. The long Tabar was seven feet long, while the short form of tabar was 3 feet long. Battleaxe is also used in parts of India, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
Battle Axe Training
There is no precise historical record of the training method of battle axe. However, some experts suggest that the soldiers were trained to pierce the opponent’s armor with accuracy.
Medieval Weapons - Facts and Information
Battle Axe is one of the type of weapons that was used by feudal armies during the Middle Ages. All men in The Middle Ages were expected to know how to fight. They were expected to be readily available when called to fight for the king. Their lives were organized and structured to have military training incorporated in their daily lives.
Expertise in the use of medieval weapon such as Battle Axe and understanding the strategy of Middle Age warfare was crucial and played an important part in Medieval Life. Battle Axe training include practicing new moves, accuracy, defending, and managing battles including close contact fights using Battle Axe .