Soldiers in medieval Europe used a variety of weapons. A soldier's choice of armor depended on the time during which he lived, the type of fighting he did, and his economic situation. For hand-to-hand combat soldiers typically used swords, axes, clubs, and spears. Crossbows, bows, and javelins served as projectiles for most of the medieval period, though firearms had begun to appear toward the end of the era. Siege weapons such as catapults helped armies break into castles and towns. Many soldiers wore armor to protect them from opponents' weapons. This armor evolved from mail made of metal links to full plate armor as projectile weapons improved.
Medieval soldiers used a variety of weapons for hand-to-hand combat. All knights carried swords with them, and the best soldiers were expected to be skilled at swordplay. A sword consisted of a long blade and a handle called a hilt. Hilts could be made to accommodate one or two hands. Basic hilts were topped with a crosspiece that kept an opponent's sword from sliding down the blade and striking the soldier's hands. Some later swords had more elaborate hand guards. At the end of the hilt was a lump of metal called a pommel, which served as a counterweight to the blade. Sword blades could have one or two cutting edges, and the blades could be curved or straight, depending on how they were meant to be used. Most swords had a sharp point at the end to allow stabbing thrusts. Sword blade lengths varied greatly. The Vikings in the 800s used a sword that was about 3 feet long with a hilt that was usually held in one hand. Blades grew slightly longer during the 11th and 12th centuries. The long sword was common in the 14th through 16th centuries. It had a thinner and lighter blade than earlie...
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...nd use it to protect himself from blows while wielding a sword or other weapon in his right arm. A shield was also a convenient place on which to display a coat of arms, a combination of images that identified the soldier.
Works Cited
Cosman, Madeleine Pelner, and Linda Gale Jones. “warfare and weapons in the Middle Ages.” Handbook to life in the Medieval World. New York. Facts on File, Inc. 2008. Ancient and Medieval History Online. Facts on File, Inc.
Cosman, Madeleine Pelner, and Linda Gale Jones. “weaponry and armor in the Middle Ages.” Handbook to life in the Medieval World. New York. Facts on File, Inc. 2008. Ancient and Medieval History Online. Facts on File, Inc.
“Weapons.” The Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia for Students. Ed. William Chester Jordan. Vol. 4. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1996. 179-181. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web.
European knights wore armor that is made of metal. Due to the metal armor, their whole body was protected very well, and yet it was too heavy. In addition, it sometimes even limited knight’s vision and breathing ability because of the large protection of the helmet. In contrast, samurai’s armor was very light compared to the knight’s. “Samurai wore armor that is made of leather and steel laced together with silk cords.” Therefore, samurai was able to move quickly and agilely. However, samurai’s armor had less protection for their body, making them more vulnerable than knights. Their weapons had some differences as well. The primary weapons of knights were the long lance and the sword, but they also used poleaxe, dagger, and mace. The sword was always the foundational weapon of knights, whereas, the sword was not the one of the major weapons for samurais. Samurais primarily used the bow and arrow and the Yari that is, “One of the Japanese traditional blades in the form of a
During the Medieval era, lasting from the 5th century to the 15th century, warfare was considered a way of life. In warfare, the knights were recognized as one of the most powerful warriors on the battlefield. These knights, or mounted warriors, were considered deadly because they could move extremely fast and deal enormous damage to infantry by charging into them. Loyal only to their feudal lords, knights went on conquests, but also stayed in their castle defending their lords. This was important because in feudalism, the lord was at the top of the hierarchy. In order to be the elite of the army, knights needed advanced weaponry and armor. They wore the latest armors and wielded the latest lances and swords which, in the 1300s started to be made out of steel. These warriors were the head of the armies of the medieval armies of Europe.
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.
Howe, Helen, and Robert T. Howe. A World History: Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Volume 1. White Plains, NY: Longman, 1992. 533.
According to Document D, “Armor of Medieval Warriors,” it states, “Samurai did not wear armor on their right arm, so they could easily draw their bow.” This information explains, that there’s two kinds of warfare, projectile and shock. The samurai used projectile warfare, which is shooting or throwing arrows, javelins, and bullets. While the knights used shock warfare, striking the enemy with weapons like swords, lances, or axes. In war, samurai didn’t cover their one arm, so they could throw and shoot easily. Based on Document C, “Europe Background Info,” it states, “An oldie, but a goodie. Half spear, half axe, all dangerous.” This explains that the knights used shock warfare. While the samurai used projectile. The knights contained heavier armor than the samurai, which is heavier and more protective in battle. While the samurai had lighter armor, which wasn’t as protective in
Soldiers were forced to live like turtles, carrying their “homes” (tents and such) along with them in battle. Their equipment was also a hassle, but protected them well in battle. It consisted of mainly helmets and shields. They also carried personal equipment such as shoes, belts, over garments, etc. A soldier had to carry his weapons and artillery with him as well. He had spears, pilums, and pikes to be heaved at enemies. Pilums are spear like weapons that would be thrown at enemies in an attempt to pierce them through their shields. Gladiuses (swords) and Pugios (daggers) were the common hand held weapons. The Gladius was the perfect weapon for the legions because of their light weight and maneuverability. The Pugio was not only a weapon of war, but also had many common purposes.
A catapult is a ballistic device that is uses to throw projectiles over a great distance. Although the catapult has been used since ancient times, it has proven to be one of the most effective mechanisms during warfare. The word 'catapult' comes from the Latin 'catapulta'. Castles and fortified walled cities were common during this period – and catapults were used as a key siege weapon against them. As well as attempting to breach the walls, flammable missiles could be thrown inside—or early biological warfare attempted with diseased carcasses or rotten garbage catapulted over the walls. The Medieval Catapults history dates back to ancient times. Various types of Medieval Catapults were used by the Chinese, Greeks and Romans. The Medieval Catapults reached Europe during the
Over the time period of 1066 to 1500, crossbows were developed to become more accurate, powerful and easy to use, while longbows and other types of bow barely changed across this period. Because of these changes, the lives of archers and crossbowmen were changed as well the military strategies of the medieval armies.
The things they parried were largely determined by the geographical region and time period. Among the things parried were scimitars, rapiers, talwars, claymores, katanas, the gladius, and the cutlass. Each of these swords are different in design and function. For example, the talwar is used by cavalry to cut and slash, while the rapier is used by Spanish officers for duels and self defense. Alexander the Great, because he led his men on horseback, would use the kopis sword because it proved useful in mounted combat. Napoleon Bonaparte used the rapier because it allowed him to thrust it into his enemies with deadly efficiency. Genghis Khan would take advantage of the curved design of the scimitar because of it’s effectiveness as a slashing
The Web. The Web. 23 Nov. 2011. The "Middle Ages - Information, Facts, and Links." ENotes - Literature Study Guides, Lesson Plans.
For instance, a few swords (the sword is a very important weapon during the Elizabethan era) were utilized as a part of a pushing movement, while some different swords were utilized as a part of a striking movement. In any case, swords were not by any means the only weapons of this time. There were bows and bolts, and also the weapons that knights utilized as a part of fight, and even some early guns discovered their roots in the Elizabethan era.
The first sword used for fencing during this time was the broadsword. The broadsword was a large, double-bladed sword that was hard to use due to it’s heavyweight (Andrew 53). With the broadsword, came the sword-and-buckler technique. The sword-and-buckler technique involved using large, powerful slashes with the broadsword, and blocking with the buckler (a small shield strapped onto the forearm (Olsen 34). In the beginning of the 16th century, the rapier was introduced to fencing (Andrew 53). Unlike the thick and large broadsword, the rapier was thin light, long and maneuverable. With the rapier, a dagger was used for parrying and the rapier was used for attacking (Olsen 35). Later in the century, the dagger was replaced with a gauntlet due to gauntlet’s effectiveness in
If you didn’t have protective armour you could get shot in the chest with a well placed arrow in the chest that would cut through your skin because it had a lot of force behind it., and be down a soldier instead of them fighting on. Armour would protect people so they wouldn’t get killed. A scutatus would wear a turaric helmet that was composed of one piece, a full mail length lorica, and a sealed cuirass. A mail lorica would protect the chest area down to the torso. A sealed cuirass would also do that but add extra protection. The Vanagarian guard who would protect the emperor during the latter half of the Byzantine empire would have worn leather boots, a mail hauberk which is a protective shirt. It was made of chain and would protect the wearer up to their legs. Since it was made of chain it was pretty light compared to something made of solid iron plates and it did not affect the person who was wearing it’s movement. Also they wore vambraces made of metal stips which protect the arms, and mail aventail which protects the neck area. One of the types of soldiers that relied on armour was the cataphract. It was a group of heavily armoured people on heavily armoured horses 7.(The armour could be made out of scales for both the men on the horse and the horse.The cataphract was a archer. They would fire volleys of arrows down on Byzantine’s enemies from various different locations on the battlefield if it was on land. 7.(They also used lances, swords, and daggers for short ranged
Within the poem, swords, at one level, are used as a symbol of reward and gratitude. After Beowulf heroically kills Grendel, Hrothgar repays him with a sword, described as, “a victory gift … that was both precious object and a token of honor” (pg. 62 1020-1023). This sword represents Beowulf’s brave battle with Grendel, in which he chose to fight without a weapon, in order to avoid an unfair advantage. Beowulf is portrayed as inhuman because of his phenomenal strength, murdering a monstrous beast with his bare hands, and rewarded with an object he has no use for. Further, a noble king is thought to be someone who rewards his brave citizens and is generous. During this time, kings were among the few people to own weapons of such great value, which expresses the great honour it was to receive one. In addition to the generous gifts from Hrothgar, Beowulf receives a “gem-studded sword” from King Hygelac to celebrate his numerous accomplishments (2193). Further, King Hygelac presents Beowulf with “land as well, seven thousand hides; and a hall and a throne” (2195-2196). By gifting Beowulf with land, his social standings would have risen immensely. However, a single sword, not to mention multiple weapons of such value, would have done this as well. Beowulf became an incredibly respected person after his battle against Grendel. He went from a lower class