Medieval Weapons and the Middle Ages
Penelope Clearwater
Weapons of the Middle Ages were vital in the the Middle Ages
Many new weapons were developed during this time out of
necessity. There was much fighting over limited resources -
power and money. What is the quickest way to wealth and power,
why to take it from someone else that already has it! The amount
of war and fighting over land and power was quite staggering.
Castles were erected to be bases of power and to protect the
people, not for any altruistic sense, but because people pay
taxes and do work. People were prepared for war at all times, as
skirmishes or full out wars and battles were not infrequent.
Knights, foot soldiers and archers all had different weapons
they used. Also the weapons changed as the armor changed as
well. Swords that were used in the beginning had to change when
chain mail came into use. The Crusades took place in these times
and medieval weapons were used all over the Holy Lands. The
Knights Templar, Teutonic Knights and Hospitallers fought in the
Holy Lands with the blessing of their lords and kings.
The classes of weapons used by the foot soldiers and knights
were very different, due to their different needs as knights
were on horseback. Not everyone got the latest weapon developed,
as it all depended on their status and position in the Feudal
System. Being a knight was a very expensive job. The weapons,
armor for knight and horse and the horse were very costly. All
Lords were required to provide soldiers and knights for the
kings use. Knights were in turn supported by their soldiers.
The variety of medieval weapons used during these times includes
polearms, battle axes, maces, billhook, caltrop, flail, halberd,
longbow, bow, crossbow, pike, poleaxe, quarterstaff, spear,
warhammer, baton and scimitar. Knights did not use those weapons
however, as they needed long swords or lances that could be used
to reach their enemy while on horseback. Their weapons consisted
of the lance, sheilds and swords such as the broadsword,
falchion, greatsword and longsword.
The large variety of medieval weapons in the middle ages was due
to the Feudal System. Everyone owed allegiance to the king and
immediate superior. Everyone was expected to pay the kingdom by
providing trained soldiers for the king, and providing clothes
and weapons for the soldiers. No one was exempt from fighting,
as every man was required to have fighting knowledge of at least
one weapon. When there was a Call To Arms, all men were required
to fight for at least 40 days, and in some circumstances it
would be increased to 90 days.
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More detailed information on
medieval
weapons can be found at
http://medievalweapons1.blogspot.com/
