Polearms are great and still somewhat underrated (although that has gotten a lot better in recent years). The poleaxe (or pollaxe) and halberd are particularly iconic for the Middle Ages and Renaissance. But what even are they? How do you distinguish them from each other and from various battle axes? Let's take a look at the practical use, background, definition, and how they're made.

Also the polehammer / Lucerne hammer... which is an "axe" according to people back in the day. ;)


** Sources **

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_...

French pollaxes from 15th century
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...

Italian pollaxe, ca. 1475
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...

Halberds
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...

Medieval imagery
https://manuscriptminiatures.com/search

http://myarmoury.com/feature_higgins_...
https://www.artic.edu/artworks/116324...

Jeu de la Hache
   • Le Noble Jeu de la Hache : toutes les...  

077 - VXT 2018 Hache de Pas - Combat 16
   • 077 - VXT 2018   Hache de Pas - Comba...  


** Time Stamps **

00:00 - 00:48 Introduction
00:48 - 01:30 Length difference
01:30 - 03:46 Poleaxe grip & techniques
03:46 - 04:48 Halberd usage & reach
04:48 - 07:09 Development / purpose / armor
07:09 - 11:53 Terminology & definition
11:53 - 13:00 Earliest halberds / What's a Voulge?
13:00 - 13:34 Time span
13:34 - 14:20 Construction
14:20 - 15:29 Final thoughts / rating / outro


** Music **

Intro song:
"Illuminate" by Vindsvept
https://vindsvept.bandcamp.com/track/...
Used with artist's permission

Outtakes:
"Little People At Work" by Horrorpen
https://opengameart.org/content/littl...
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)

Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
https://theslantedroom.github.io/stev...
Used with artist's permission


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#history #weapon #polearm