Medieval Weapons

Two swordsman locked in SCA combat

Medieval Weapons Introduction

In looking at the subject of medieval weapons, it would be impossible to compile a list of all the weapons that one might have found in medieval combat, Weapons were developed at different times and in different places to suit different needs, different styles of combat, and different military strategies. In listing some of the weapons that are used here, many more will be left out, but this list will comprehensively cover the most popular and most common from the medieval era, covering approximately the fifth to the sixteenth centuries.

Archer at a Renaissance Fair

Fencing with sabers

Late 18th century axe

Medieval mace

Catapult

Trebuchet

Types of Medieval Weapons

Weapons of that period can generally be divided up into one of two categories. Close-quarter and ranged. Close-quarter combat usually involved fighting at no more than a few feet distance from your opponent and often closer. These weapons could deal a deadly attack at close range, but also put the wielder of the weapon within range of a similar attack. Ranged combat by comparison involved using weapons that had a greater range, providing deadly support from a distance but of no use in close-quarter combat

Swords were understandably among the most popular of weapons of the medieval period. These came a variety of styles, from long two-handed versions such as the Claymore and Longsword (although either of these could sometimes be used one-handed), so shorter one-hand variations such as the shortsword, and the rapier or sabre. The longer swords were for much stronger, powerful attacks, which the shorter swords allowed for more subtlety in combat.

Swords were of course, short range weapons, as were clubs and maces, which were an effective means of bludgeoning an opponent from very close. Clubs and maces would often have metal spikes or protrusions embedded in them in order to increase the damage from an attack

There were also different types of axe used in close-quarter combat, some with a small axe point on the rear of the weapon as well as the front, which for example, was in Scotland for helping to remove cavalry from their horse, before the main blade of the axe was then used to dispatch the disorientated and fallen rider.

In terms or ranged weapons, the most obvious weapon for individual combat was the various types of bow, either a normal bow, a longbow or a crossbow, with different types being developed and preferred in different parts of the world. For example, crossbows were developed and used extensively at first in China and Greece, and longbows being developed and used extensively in Britain. Less technologically advanced range weapon included slings and throwing axes.

Alongside weapons used by individuals, it is also worth mentioning group weapons such as catapults and siege weapons and trebuchets that were used extensively in siege warfare and larger battles as weapons against a multitude of soldiers or warriors at the same time. The development of cannons, also to be found in later centuries on ships, was also a key feature of this time, and the Medieval period in particular was the period of growth of much of the technology of siege warfare and large weapons.

Conclusion

We can see then that there were a variety of different weapons in use during the Medieval period, some designed for close-quarter combat, some specializing in ranged attacks, while others designed for siege warfare or larger battles.