Medieval Devastators
The period of 1000 years in Europe between the 5th and 15th centuries was the time known as the Medieval Ages. During this time, most of Europe was under the control despotic feudal overlords, and the land was infested with pestilence and war. Living under the threat of invasions from foreigners, the people of Europe developed a different kind of weaponry. These weapons were found very useful to the Europeans, and devastated their enemies. This paper will examine three weapons designed in the Medieval Ages: the dagger, the rapier, and the morning star.
Appearing in the early 6th century, the dagger became a worldwide weapon. Ranging in sizes from 13 to 17 inches, the dagger was an arm auxiliary to the sword. Being the sword's accompaniment, the dagger would parry the attacks by the enemy's sword. In combat, the dagger's use was not only to parry but also to attack. The dagger's design of a sharp and lethal tip made it an essential weapon for stabbing rather than the sword's common use of slicing an d cutting. Also because of the dagger's thin but sturdy blade, it was a perfect weapon for piercing through the joints of armor. Another use of the dagger was to break the blade of the opposing sword by crossing the dagger blade with the sword blade, and then quickly pulling the dagger handle up. Having so much pressure applied to the blade of the sword, the sword blade would simply snap in two. The use of the dagger with the traditional sword enhanced hand-to-hand combat for Medieval Europeans.
Through its long history, the rapier was a weapon of choice for gentlemen rather than soldiers. Originating in the 14th century in France, it became a popular weapon used not only in France, but in Germany, Italy, and Spain. The word "rapier" comes from the Spanish term, espada ropera, meaning "sword of the robes" which symbolized its use with civilians rather than armored soldiers. Its unusual design marked its popularity and prosperity throughout the Medieval times and even in the present. Its stout hilt and elongated blade made the rapier an excellent offensive and defensive weapon. Its wide blade, usually 1 ½ to 2 inches wide, made the rapier virtually unsnappable. When dueling or fighting with the rapier, fencing styles were used.
Several sources were used to collect information about the weapons described in this project. Most of the sources used were web pages. There is one book source. The project will also include a presentation complete with pictures and lecture for each of the weapons in the written report.
A popular ancient Japanese saying states that “The sword is the soul of the warrior.” (Buchanan 120) The warrior in the proverb pertains to the samurai of feudal Japan and the sword refers to their most prominent weapon, the Katana. An ancient blade made through a complicated forging process, the Katana is truly a work of art. Also known as the Japanese long sword or the samurai sword, the Katana is a curved, single-edged blade with ridges along its exterior. It is primarily used as a weapon to cut down or slash its foes (Robinson 28). The ridges along the blade, called the hamon, divides the soft metal components, the shingane, from the hadagane of the hard metal components used to forge the sword to give it its trademark razor sharp edge and flexibility (Turnbull 12). The blade of the Katana is around sixty to seventy centimeters in length and is often likened to the arc of the new moon. With its signature curved edge and its fusion of hard and soft metals, the Katana is considered to be the greatest offensive weapon ever created (O’Neill 114,116). It is a hallmark of Japanese sword history and is a noteworthy aspect of Japanese craftsmanship. The Japanese Katana is an important symbol of Japanese culture whose significance must be asserted.
When the joust came to represent the horsemanship of the fighter, safeguards evolved. The lance was fitted with a three pronged tip called a coronal, which was designed to keep the weapon from penetrating a knights helm and to re-distribute the force of the impact. Also, armor was developed specifically for the joust.
[World war one -weapons]. (2013, February 25). Retrieved November, 2000, from War and Military Records website: http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/weapons.htm
In relation to war, the most preferred weapon was the javelin, which could be used for both close combat and long range. The javelin was a highly effective weapon and it ensured that those using it were not easy to defeat. Furthermore, the javelin was often used alongside a shield, which was essential for not only blocking attacks, but also kept the enemy at bay while the javelin was used to strike. 'The horse' was also used but because of having to use both a shield and
WAS THE TIME PERIOD BETWEEN 400 AD AND 1400 AD A “DARK AGE” FOR EUROPE?
same sword that Claudius was killed with. Both men are able to accomplish what they set
Long distance weapons were essential to European combat. The main long distance weapons used by Europeans during that time were the longbow and the crossbow. Each form of weaponry had its unique advantages and their pejorative. The long bow (shown in figure 1) was the original form of distance weapons. The term ‘bow’ means to be made from wood, iron or steel. The Welsh, who inhabited England, were the first people to use longbows. Longbows were 6-7 feet long and had a range of 250 yards, and still had the ability to pierce a knight’s armor (Byam 12). A well trained archer could shot 10- 12 arrows in a single minute. Despite these pro’s the longbow had a lot of disadvantages as well. One draw back was only skilled archers, who were costly to train, could use a longbow. Another disadvantage was it didn’t have a ready loaded arrow (Edge 34). The crossbow (shown in figure 2) on the other had been emphatically different. The crossbow had a span of 2-3 feet and could kill a knight on horseback with one shot, because of good aim (Byam 30). Crossbows had ready loaded projectiles, while the longbow didn’t and the crossbow could be used by anyone since it didn’t require any skill. The crossbow did have a down side though, it had slow reloaded because of a crank and it was expensive. Crossbows were also used for other thi...
They realized that the curved shape of the blade made it a formidable weapon and when holding the karambit in the reverse position (blade point facing downward) the user is able to develop tremendous force by the twisting of the waist allowing the wielder
These kinds of weapons were impractical for military use, but attracted many people to the arms race for weapons that could sweep the battlefield. “They had limitations in practice, among them slow re...
He drew it / From its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt, / And then, savage, now, angry / And desperate, lifted it high over his head / And struck with all the strength he had left (Raffel 530-8)
In this essay, I will uncover the countless insights that can be learned about the characters in Beowulf, as well as the society as a whole, based on the weapons the characters choose to use in battle. During the Anglo-Saxon time, roughly between 400 and 1066, swords were considered the most precious weapon someone could own. Although it is not certain who wrote Beowulf, and when, many people believe it was composed in the middle to end of the Anglo-Saxon period. Analyzing the different weapons, and significance of each, in Beowulf, and comparing them to the weaponry at the time, provides the readers with a great deal of insight into the society during this period. The use of weapons in Beowulf not only provides the readers with insight into
as thought it was an axe. It would hack away until the head came off. After all the chopping, the blade would often become dull. Throughout the revolution the blade was changed, it became angled. The angling of the blade helped to kill faster. It would not become dull as quickly and it would slice straight through without having to chop. The blade was made from steel and weighed about 40 kgs. To work the blade it was pulled to the top of the contraption then released with the cord to give it a quick reaction. With the quickness of the blade it was estimated that it took about .75th of a second to be guillotined.
Williams, John. "Chapter 8." World Atlas of Weapons & War. London: Aldus, 1976. 96-111. Print.
At the beginning of the 17th century imperialization was all the rage for European countries. Europe, who started industrialization, was the most advanced continent on earth. With the production of more and more products, resources were needed. EXpeditions of other continents lead to the findings of many resources that would prove to be very useful to the Europeans. These other continents didn’t take too kindly to the idea of Europeans taking their stuff, but Aa the time Europe the most advanced weaponry in the world and they were not afraid to use it.