The Middle Age was a time when having the best weapons was an imperative. Developments in weapon manufacture technology could prove to make a big difference on the battlefield. In the Middle Age, the territory you ruled dictated how powerful you were. That is why many armed conflicts were inevitable. Getting an edge over your opponent was mandatory. Some of the deadliest medieval weapons are still considered to have great symbolic power, if not anything else in our days. I believe that, as history has taught as many times, the number of your forces isn’t as important as how well they are equipped and trained. This is why I believe that the study of medieval weapons is a very effective way of understanding how some kingdoms rose to power and others didn’t.  

1.        Machete: This weapon originated in the Caribbean, where it was mostly used as a household tool. It ranges in sizes from 32 to 60 centimeters in length, and its thickness doesn’t exceed three millimeters. It is most commonly known as the tool to have while crossing a jungle, because it is very effective for forging a path thru the dense undergrowth. Because it is mainly a household tool it was used as a weapon of choice for many uprisings. In modern times the machete is known for being one of the main weapons in the Rwandan Genocide.

2.        Battle Axe: These weapons derive from the utility axe and range form half a kilo to three kilos in weight, and 30 centimeters to a meter and a half in length. The long Danish axe that was a meter and a half in length is one of the deadliest medieval weapons. The down side was that it only allowed for one good shot. If you mist that shot you would be sitting ducks. The axe was meant to be a two-handed weapon and was a great way to stop heavy cavalry in its tracks with a well placed blow. Mobility was the down side of this weapon and of course its weight demanded that you could only place a limited number of full force blows in a battle. The smaller version of the axe was a much more mobile weapon but its range demanded excellent skills in order to defend against long swords.

3.        Saber: This is one of the deadliest medieval weapons because of its slashing abilities. It is considered to be brought into Europe by the Hungarians. It is mostly used by cavalry, and its key characteristic is its single edged curved blade, and very substantial hand guard that covers the knuckles and also the thumb and the forefinger. Although this weapon was initially used by cavalrymen as an excellent slashing weapon it evolved in being a straight even double edged sword more adequate for thrusting.      

4.        Lance: The lance was pole weapon designed specifically for mounted warriors. It was much heavier and sturdier than an infantry spear, and it was not designed to break off or bend after impact. It usually had a conical shaped protective handle at its base that was meant both to protect the horseman’s hand form attack and to stop it form slipping forward upon impact. The long cumbersome lance was a one-use only weapon. After the initial cavalry charge that was meant to destabilize any infantry, the lance was no longer an effective weapon. For close quarter melees knights used short ranged weapons such as flails or swords. When used appropriately, that is in cavalry charge, the lance was one the deadliest medieval weapons. The lance was very popular in jousting events as well, that were very popular in the Middle Age.

5.         The crossbow: The crossbow was the ranged weapon of choice in medieval warfare especially in Europe and Eastern Asia. It was one of the deadliest medieval weapons when the crossbowmen were sufficiently protected by the infantry. Its rapid rate of fire, and its relatively long ranged, ensured that a battle could be won or lost by the efficiency of crossbowmen. The arrow-like projectiles used by the crossbow are called bolts, and are sorter and heavier than normal arrows, in order to have the same amount of energy, despite its short draw length.

These are just some of the deadliest medieval weapons. These kinds of weapons had a great psychological effect on the battlefield as well. If the sky suddenly was darkened by a hailstorm of bolts or arrows, you wouldn’t necessarily have the same inclination to fight as in normal conditions. At the same time the image of heavy cavalry armed with lances barring down upon you in full speed would be frightening for any infantryman. Medieval weapons are still extremely fascinating for us, because we attribute them things like chivalry, strength, as opposed to our modern day weapons such as guns, which can be used by anybody, in any circumstance no matter the skill level. 

Incoming search terms:

• middle ages weapons
• most deadly weapons axe
• top 5 dedliest medevil wepons
• what is the deadliest axe design?
• what was the best close range weapon of the middle ages
• what was the deadliest hand weapon in elizabethan times
• what was the deadliest weapon in elizabethan times
• what was the deadliest weapon in the middle ages
• what were the deadliest weapons in the middle ages
• whats the most deadliest weapon in the medival ages

No related posts.