The spear, a medieval weapon, mostly used in warfare, is a pole weapon with a pointed blade at one end. It has been used as an important missile weapon since prehistoric times. The shaft of the spear is made of plumber. It comes with various sizes and designs.
Spears were both used as melee weapons and projectiles. The usual length of the shaft is 8-9 feet. Spears were very economical and easy to produce.
Types of Spears
Different types of spears can be divided into several broad categories. Historically, there are spears that were used in melee and ranged combats like the Migration Period Spear.
There are also spears that were used in melee combats. In Asia, these spears are called Arbir, Dangpa, Gichang, Hoko yari, Ji, Kamayari, Qiang, Sibat, Trishula, and Yari.
In Europe, these spears are called Ahlspiess, Boar spear, Bohemian earspoon, Brandistock, Dory, Fauchard, Goedendag, Halberd, Half pike, Hasta, Military fork, Ox tongue spear, Partisan, Pike, Plançon a picot, Ranseur, Sarissa, Spetu, Spontoon, and Trident.
There are spears that were used on horsebacks like Barcha, Kontos, Lance, and Xyston.
Furthermore, there are spears that are usually thrown like Harpoon, Angon, Falarica, Framea, Golo, Hak, Hoko, Jaculum, Javelin, Lancea, Pilum, Plumbata, Soliferrum, Spiculum, and Verutum.
Spear History
Based on contemporary sources, Homo heidelbergensis, an extinct species, developed the use of spears about 500,000 years ago.
Spears were prevalent during the early Middle Ages among the Roman armies. They were commonly used as personal weapons in the Stone Age and remained as hunting tools and military instruments until the advent of firearms.
In the Bronze Age, one-handed spears along with shields were used. Az-zaġāyah, otherwise known as assegai, was quite popular and contributed a very crucial role in the Islamic period. It was regarded as a favorite weapon in Sudan. Spears are also reported to have had used by the Vietnamese, in medieval Japan, Korea, Mesoamerica, and in Africa. Additionally, Western European cultures adopted spears for disparage purposes after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Uses of Spear
The uses of spears vary from nation to nation. Some used spears for military purposes, as hunting instruments, fishing, and hurling while others used them for warding aggressive animals. A Harpoon, a variant of the spear, is mainly used for hunting whales. It could also be used as a weapon. Another form of hunting spear is called “javelin”. Today, the javelin is used in sports.
Spear Training Method
Squires were trained to throw spears at the target effectively. They were told to keep two things in mind: Accuracy and distance. To be able to hit the target from distance required a constant practice.
Medieval Weapons - Facts and Information
Spear 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 Spear and understanding the strategy of Middle Age warfare was crucial and played an important part in Medieval Life. Spear training include practicing new moves, accuracy, defending, and managing battles including close contact fights using Spear .