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Halberd illustrated in "Théâtre de tous les peuples et nations de la terre avec leurs habits et ornemens divers, tant anciens que modernes, diligemment depeints au naturel". Painted by Lucas d'Heere in the second half of the 16th century. Manuscript preserved in the Ghent University Library[1]
Halberdiers from a modern-day reenactor troupe

A halberd (also called halbard or halbert) is a two-handed polearm that was in prominent use from the 13th to 16th centuries. The halberd consists of an axe blade topped with a spike mounted on a long shaft. It may have a hook or thorn on the back of the axe blade for grappling mounted combatants and protecting allied soldiers, typically musketeers.[2] The halberd was usually 1.5 to 1.8 metres (4.9 to 5.9 ft) long.[3]

The word halberd is cognate with the German word Hellebarde, deriving from Middle High German halm (handle) and barte (battleaxe) joined to form helmbarte. Troops that used the weapon were called halberdiers or halbardiers. The word has also been used to describe a weapon of the early Bronze Age in Western Europe. This consisted of a blade mounted on a pole at a right angle.[4][5]

History

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Early-16th-century miniature depicting the Battle of Grandson, from the Lucerner Schilling. Swiss soldiers can be seen armed with earlier halberds.

The halberd is first mentioned (as hallenbarte) in a work by 13th-century German poet Konrad von Würzburg.[6] John of Winterthur described it as a new weapon used by the Swiss at the Battle of Morgarten of 1315.[6] The halberd was inexpensive to produce and very versatile in battle. As the halberd was eventually refined, its point was more fully developed to allow it to deal better with spears and pikes (and make it able to push back approaching horsemen), as was the hook opposite the axe head, which could be used to pull horsemen to the ground.[7] A Swiss peasant used a halberd to kill Charles the Bold,[8] the Duke of Burgundy, at the Battle of Nancy, decisively ending the Burgundian Wars.[9]

A member of the Swiss Guard with a halberd in the Vatican

The halberd was the primary weapon of the early Swiss armies in the 14th and early 15th centuries.[7] Later the Swiss added the pike to better repel knightly attacks and roll over enemy infantry formations, with the halberd, hand-and-a-half sword, or the dagger known as the Schweizerdolch used for closer combat. The German Landsknechte, who imitated Swiss warfare methods, also used the pike, supplemented by the halberd—but their side arm of choice was a short sword called the Katzbalger.[10]

As long as pikemen fought other pikemen, the halberd remained a useful supplementary weapon for push of pike, but when their position became more defensive, to protect the slow-loading arquebusiers and matchlock musketeers from sudden attacks by cavalry, the percentage of halberdiers in the pike units steadily decreased. By 1588, official Dutch infantry composition was down to 39% arquebuses, 34% pikes, 13% muskets, 9% halberds, and 2% one-handed swords. By 1600, troops armed exclusively with swords were no longer used and the halberd was only used by sergeants.[11]

Researchers suspected that a halberd or a bill sliced through the back of King Richard III's skull at the Battle of Bosworth Field on 22 August 1485, leaving his brain visible before killing him during the battle, and were later able to confirm that it was a halberd.[12][13]

While rarer than it had been from the late 15th to mid-16th centuries, the halberd was still used infrequently as an infantry weapon well into the mid-17th century. The armies of the Catholic League in 1625, for example, had halberdiers comprising 7% of infantry units, with musketeers comprising 58% and armored pikemen 35%. By 1627 this had changed to 65% muskets, 20% pikes, and 15% halberds.[14] A near-contemporary depiction of the 1665 Battle of Montes Claros at Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira depicts a minority of the Portuguese and Spanish soldiers as armed with halberds. Antonio de Pereda's 1635 painting El Socorro a Génova depicting the Relief of Genoa has all the soldiers armed with halberds. The most consistent users of the halberd in the Thirty Years' War were German sergeants who would carry one as a sign of rank. While they could use them in melee combat, more often they were used for dressing the ranks by grasping the shaft in both hands and pushing it against several men simultaneously. They could also be used to push pikes or muskets up or down, especially to stop overexcited musketeers from firing prematurely.[15] Halberds and other polearms remained useful during instances of close-in fighting such as during stormings of towns and forts. At the Siege of Lyme Regis in April 1644 during the English Civil War, halberdiers were among the troops that repelled the attackers after their cannons made breaches in the walls.[16]

Halberds of various shapes, sizes, and ages

The halberd has been used as a court bodyguard weapon for centuries, and is still the ceremonial weapon of the Swiss Guard in the Vatican[17] and the Alabarderos (Halberdiers) Company[18] of the Spanish Royal Guard.[19] The halberd was one of the polearms sometimes carried by lower-ranking officers in European infantry units in the 16th through 18th centuries. In the British army, sergeants continued to carry halberds until 1793, when they were replaced by spontoons.[20] The 18th-century halberd had, however, become simply a symbol of rank with no sharpened edge and insufficient strength to use as a weapon.[21] It served as an instrument for ensuring that infantrymen in ranks stood correctly aligned with each other and that their muskets were aimed at the correct level.[22]

The development of the halberd

[edit]
A late-14th/early-15th-century Halberd from Fribourg

The word helmbarte or variations of it show up in German texts from the 13th century onwards. At that point, the halberd is not too distinct from other types of broad axes or bardiches used all over Europe. In the late 13th century the weapon starts to develop into a distinct weapon, with the top of the blade developing into a more acute thrusting point. This form of the halberd is erroneously sometimes called a voulge or a swiss voulge, but there is no evidence for the usage of these terms for this weapon historically.[23] There were variations of these weapons with spikes on the back, though also plenty without. In the early 15th century the construction changes to incorporate sockets into the blade, instead of hoops as the previous designs had. With this development back spikes are directly integrated into the blade construction and become a universal part of the halberd design.[24]

[edit]
Chinese deity holding a yue
Main article: Polearm
  • Bardiche, a type of two-handed battle axe known in the 16th and 17th centuries in Eastern Europe
  • Bill, similar to a halberd but with a hooked blade form
  • Ge or dagger-axe, a Chinese weapon in use from the Shang dynasty (est. 1500 BC) that had a dagger-shaped blade mounted perpendicular to a spearhead
  • Fauchard, a curved blade atop a 2 m (6 ft 7 in) pole that was used in Europe between the 11th and 14th centuries
  • Guisarme, a medieval bladed weapon on the end of a long pole; later designs implemented a small reverse spike on the back of the blade
  • Glaive, a large blade, up to 45 cm (18 in) long, on the end of a 2 m (6 ft 7 in) pole
  • Guandao, a Chinese polearm from the 3rd century AD that had a heavy curved blade with a spike at the back
  • Ji (戟), a Chinese polearm combining a spear and dagger-axe
  • Kamayari, a Japanese spear with blade offshoots
  • Lochaber axe, a Scottish weapon that had a heavy blade attached to a pole in a similar fashion to early halberds
  • Naginata, a Japanese weapon that had a 30-to-60-centimetre-long (12 to 24 in) blade attached by a sword guard to a wooden shaft
  • Partisan, a large double-bladed spearhead mounted on a long shaft that had protrusions on either side for parrying sword thrusts
  • Poleaxe, a type of polearm with an axehead or hammerhead on the sides with either a spike or spearhead at the top and mounted on a long shaft. It was developed in the 14th century and remained in use until the 16th century to breach the plate armour worn by European knights and men-at-arms
  • Ranseur, a polearm consisting of a spearhead affixed with a cross hilt at its base derived from the earlier spetum
  • Spontoon, a 17th-century weapon that consisted of a large blade with two side blades mounted on a long 2 m (6 ft 7 in) pole, considered a more elaborate pike
  • Voulge, a crude single-edged blade bound to a wooden shaft
  • Tabarzin, a type of battle axe from Middle East.
  • War scythe, an improvised weapon that consisted of a blade from a scythe attached vertically to a shaft
  • Welsh hook, similar to a halberd and thought to originate from a forest-bill
  • Woldo, A Korean polearm that had a crescent-shaped blade mounted on a long shaft, similar in construction to the Chinese guandao, and primarily served as a symbol of the Royal Guard
  • Yue, a Chinese axe with long shaft.
[edit]
  • Different sorts of halberds and halberd-like polearms in Switzerland
    Different sorts of halberds and halberd-like polearms in Switzerland
  • Citizens of Zürich on 1 May 1351 are read the Federal Charter as they swear allegiance to representatives of Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne. One of the representatives carries a typical Swiss halberd of the period depicted (as opposed to the time the image was made, 1515).
    Citizens of Zürich on 1 May 1351 are read the Federal Charter as they swear allegiance to representatives of Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne. One of the representatives carries a typical Swiss halberd of the period depicted (as opposed to the time the image was made, 1515).
  • Saint Wiborada is often (anachronistically) depicted with a halberd to indicate the means of her martyrdom.
    Saint Wiborada is often (anachronistically) depicted with a halberd to indicate the means of her martyrdom.
  • Halberd-axe head with the head of a mouflon. Late 2nd millennium–early 1st millennium BC. From Amlash, Gilan, Iran
    Halberd-axe head with the head of a mouflon. Late 2nd millennium–early 1st millennium BC. From Amlash, Gilan, Iran
  • Alabardero (Halberdier) of the Spanish Royal Guard
    Alabardero (Halberdier) of the Spanish Royal Guard

See also

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References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Halberd

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
A halberd is a two-handed weapon originating in medieval , characterized by a long shaft—typically about 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length—topped with a three-part iron head consisting of an axe blade for chopping, a spear-like spike for thrusting, and a or for pulling or . This versatile design enabled to engage armored effectively by puncturing plate armor with the spike, delivering heavy blows with the blade, or catching and unhorsing riders with , making it a staple of foot armament from the 14th through the 16th centuries. The halberd's development traces back to the , particularly associated with Swiss infantry who employed it as a primary in their cantonal militias during the 14th and early 15th centuries, contributing to pivotal victories such as the in 1386 and the in 1477. By the early , its battlefield role began to wane with the rise of firearms like the harquebus and the decline of heavy armor, though it persisted in use among and was adopted ceremonially by European rulers, including France's cent-Suisses guard established by in 1480 and the Vatican's from 1506 onward. In terms of construction, early examples from around 1500 featured single-socket heads with straight-edged blades, evolving by the mid-16th century to concave-edged variants and more elaborate socket designs (rectangular, hexagonal, or transitional forms), often secured to ash wood shafts with metal langets for reinforcement; these variations are evident in surviving artifacts from collections like the National Military Museum in the . By the , the halberd had largely transitioned from a combat tool to a symbol of , carried by sergeants for maintaining formations, administering , or serving as badges of rank in armies across and the American colonies—such as the fifty halberdiers who arrived at Jamestown in 1610 as guards for Governor Thomas West, Lord De La Warr. Ornate examples from this period, like those with engraved motifs such as griffin heads, highlight their ceremonial prestige, though some were pragmatically adapted for utility tasks, as seen in a Jamestown artifact repurposed to retrieve items from a well. The weapon's etymology derives from Hellebarde (from helm meaning "handle" and barte meaning "axe"), reflecting its Germanic origins, and it remained in limited military symbolism into the early before fading entirely from active service.

Introduction and Design

Definition and Basic Features

A halberd is a two-handed weapon developed for use, consisting of a long shaft fitted with a metal head that integrates an axe blade, a thrusting spike, and a rearward hook or fluke. The name derives from halm (referring to the long shaft or handle) and barte (an axe or broad blade), reflecting its combined design elements. This versatile shafted weapon emerged as a staple for foot soldiers in late medieval , particularly valued for its multi-purpose capabilities in close-quarters combat against armored opponents. The core components of a halberd include a sturdy wooden shaft, often made of or for durability and balance, typically measuring 1.5 to 2 meters in length to provide reach while allowing two-handed wielding. At the head, the axe blade—usually with a convex or straight cutting edge—enables powerful chopping or hacking motions, while the apical spike facilitates thrusting attacks similar to a . The rear fluke, often a hooked or beak-like projection, serves for pulling down mounted knights, tripping foes, or piercing armor joints, enhancing the weapon's utility beyond simple slashing or stabbing. The metal head is secured to the shaft via a socket and langets (reinforcing straps) to withstand the stresses of battle. Halberds were forged primarily from for the head to ensure sharpness and resilience, with total weights ranging from 2 to 5 kilograms depending on size and craftsmanship, making them maneuverable yet formidable for trained users. Early examples, such as those from 15th-century , featured narrower blades and broader spikes, emphasizing thrusting over chopping, while later variants refined the balance for ceremonial or guard duties. This combination of features distinguished the halberd from simpler polearms like spears or bills, positioning it as one of the most adaptable weapons for dismounted soldiers facing or formations.

Construction and Components

The halberd's head typically consists of three primary elements: an axe blade for chopping, a thrusting spike or point for piercing, and a rear or for pulling or . These components form a versatile tool mounted on a long shaft, allowing for both offensive and defensive maneuvers. The axe blade is often crescent-shaped or convex-edged, while the spike extends upward from the blade's top, and the projects backward from the base, sometimes sharpened for armor penetration. Construction of the halberd head involves forge-welding a single unit of iron or , ensuring durability under impact. Early 14th-century examples feature the tapering directly into the thrusting point, with a cleaver-like form secured by two loops on the rear for shaft attachment. By the , designs evolved to include a central socket for mounting, often reinforced with side straps or langets—thin metal strips riveted along the shaft to prevent splitting. Some heads incorporate decorative or engravings, particularly in ceremonial variants. The shaft, or haft, is generally made from sturdy wood such as , measuring 1.5 to 2 meters in length to provide reach while maintaining balance. Early shafts were round in cross-section, but later ones often adopted a quadrangular profile for added strength. The head's socket or loops encircle the shaft's top, fixed with nails, rivets, or wedges; in transitional 15th-century forms, two "eyes" or lugs on the head allowed the shaft to pass through for a secure fit, later replaced by the more robust socket construction. Total weight typically ranges from 2 to 5 kilograms, optimized for two-handed use by .

Historical Origins and Evolution

Early Development

The halberd, a versatile combining elements of an axe, , and hook, originated in during the late 13th century, with early development centered in regions such as , , and the areas around . It evolved primarily from earlier shafted weapons like the two-handed Danish axe of the and medieval poleaxes, which featured axe-like s attached via two "eyes" to a wooden shaft for enhanced reach and cutting power against armored foes. The weapon's design addressed the need for to counter , incorporating a sharpened , a thrusting spike, and eventually a rear-facing for pulling riders from , reflecting tactical shifts in . Archaeological evidence supports this timeline, with fragments of early halberd-like blades dated to 1200–1300 discovered near and in , indicating localized production possibly linked to military obligations under Habsburg rule. Pictorial depictions provide further confirmation, including a German Psalter from the early showing shafted weapons with elongated axe blades and vertical spikes, and a Carolingian wall painting from Müstair, (now in Zurich's Landesmuseum), hinting at proto-halberd forms. The earliest literary reference appears in the works of Konrad of (d. 1287), who described halberds as formidable instruments of death in his poetry, underscoring their emerging role in contemporary accounts. The halberd's practical debut in battle occurred at Morgarten in 1315, where Swiss confederates from Schwyz wielded them effectively against Habsburg knights, as chronicled by Johannes von in his Chronicon (completed 1348). Winterthur noted their ability to cleave through armor and unhorse mounted warriors, with surviving artifacts from the site featuring rectangular blades and modest spear points attached via two eyes. By the early , refinements included integrating the spike into the blade and adding a , transitioning toward a unified socket mount for greater durability, as seen in lake finds from dated to the . This evolution was driven by the Swiss cantons' emphasis on and their imperial privileges to bear arms, fostering rapid adoption across Alpine regions.

Peak Usage in Medieval Warfare

The halberd achieved its zenith in during the late 15th century, particularly within the Swiss Confederacy's military system, where it became a staple for forces challenging feudal dominance. Emerging as a versatile combining an axe blade for slashing, a point for thrusting, and a rear hook for dismounting riders, the halberd was ideally suited to the evolving tactics of massed formations. Swiss cantons, relying on conscripted peasants who often supplied their own arms, favored the halberd for its affordability and ease of production using local and blacksmithing techniques. By the 1470s, it had supplanted earlier halberd variants in Swiss service, complementing the longer pike in strategies that emphasized disciplined advances and close-quarters combat. In the (1474–1477), Swiss halberdiers demonstrated the weapon's tactical supremacy against professional armies equipped with heavy armor and artillery. At the (1476), approximately 17,000 Swiss troops, including halberd-wielding units, routed the Bold's Burgundian forces by advancing in dense squares that repelled charges and exploited terrain advantages. Halberds proved especially effective for hooking and pulling knights from their mounts, allowing follow-up strikes with the axe head or tip to penetrate plate armor at vulnerable joints. This engagement, resulting in minimal Swiss losses (around 200) compared to heavy Burgundian casualties, highlighted the halberd's role in enabling to dictate battlefield momentum. Similarly, at the (1476), halberdiers flanked and encircled Burgundian lines, contributing to the slaughter of over 10,000 enemies while sustaining fewer than 500 casualties themselves. The weapon's prominence extended to the of 1499, where Swiss halberdiers formed the core of central battle lines in formations of 5,000 to 8,000 men, positioned behind pike-wielding fronts to counter breakthroughs. At the Battle of Dornach, halberds facilitated devastating counterattacks against Maximilian I's imperial forces, using their hooks to disrupt enemy cohesion and their blades to deliver concussive blows through visors and pauldrons. This marked the halberd's adaptation to revolutions across , influencing German mercenaries who adopted similar polearm tactics. However, the rise of firearms in the early began eroding its battlefield role, as arquebuses offered greater range and penetration against armored foes. By the war's end, the halberd had solidified its legacy as a symbol of Swiss martial prowess, contributing to the Confederacy's independence and the decline of knightly warfare.

Military Applications

Combat Techniques

The halberd was wielded two-handed, leveraging its long shaft for reach and power in both offensive and defensive maneuvers. Combatants typically adopted guards with the held diagonally across the body or vertically, allowing quick transitions between thrusting with the spear-like point and sweeping cuts using the axe blade. These positions emphasized balance and footwork to maintain distance while preparing for engagement. Offensively, the halberd excelled in versatile attacks suited to chaos. Thrusts targeted the or face, exploiting the spike's penetration against unarmored foes or gaps in plate. Powerful overhead or lateral chops with the axe head delivered crushing blows, amplified by the pole's leverage to cleave helmets or shields. The rear spike or enabled techniques, such as pulling shields aside or dismounting by snagging stirrups, armor, or saddles before following with strikes. In close quarters, the weapon's could also incoming blades while setting up counters. Defensively, halberdiers used the stout wooden shaft to deflect or bind opponents' weapons, redirecting thrusts from pikes or swords away from the body. This "wrapping" or crossing technique, often combined with stepping aside, created openings for ripostes. Footwork was crucial, involving advances, retreats, or passes to evade sweeps while preserving formation . Against mounted charges, groups of halberdiers formed dense lines to and topple horses, transitioning to thrusts against fallen riders. In military contexts, halberd techniques integrated with pike squares, where halberdiers protected flanks and engaged at shorter ranges. Swiss , for instance, used coordinated hooks and chops to dismantle armored knights, as seen in ambushes exploiting terrain to negate momentum. This tactical synergy made halberds devastating in clashes until firearms diminished their role by the mid-16th century.

Notable Historical Uses

The halberd played a pivotal role in the Swiss struggles for against the Habsburgs during the , particularly in ambushes and close-quarters engagements where its versatility allowed to counter heavily armored knights. In the on November 15, 1315, approximately 1,500 Swiss fighters from , Uri, and used halberds to devastating effect against a Habsburg force of around 10,000, including . Charging downhill from concealed positions, the Swiss halberdiers hooked and unseated Austrian knights before striking with the axe blade, resulting in heavy casualties for the invaders and marking a key victory in the formation of the . This success was echoed in the on July 9, 1386, where a smaller Swiss contingent of about 1,500, armed primarily with halberds, decisively defeated Leopold III of Austria's army of 4,000 knights and . The halberd's spike and hook enabled Swiss fighters to disrupt the Habsburg and engage in brutal , leading to Leopold's death and further solidifying Swiss autonomy. The "Sempach-type" halberd, characterized by a reinforced flat spike and cleaver-like axe , became emblematic of these encounters and was refined in subsequent Swiss designs. During the Burgundian Wars (1474–1477), halberds were instrumental in the Swiss Confederation's victories over the Bold's forces, showcasing their effectiveness in pitched battles against professional armies. At the on January 5, 1477, Swiss halberdiers broke through Burgundian lines, with one account crediting a halberd blow that split Charles's helmet and ended his life, precipitating the collapse of Burgundian power and the absorption of its territories. Halberds complemented pikes in Swiss square formations, providing cutting power to exploit breaches against armored foes. In the Swabian War of 1499, halberds remained a core weapon for Swiss infantry facing the under Maximilian I, contributing to triumphs like the Battle of Dornach where close-range halberd strikes routed imperial cavalry and pikemen. This conflict highlighted the halberd's role in defensive and offensive maneuvers within mixed . The halberd's influence extended to mercenary forces in the (1494–1559), where German s, emulating Swiss methods, deployed halberds to protect pike block flanks and engage in assaults. At the in 1525, halberdiers supported the imperial victory over the French by disrupting enemy formations, demonstrating the weapon's adaptability in large-scale battles before firearms began to supplant polearms.

Variants and Comparisons

Regional and Temporal Variants

The halberd's design evolved temporally from a rudimentary 13th-century form, characterized by a simple axe blade with an added spike, into more complex configurations by the , reflecting shifts from battlefield utility to ceremonial roles. Early examples, dating to around 1200–1300, featured lightweight cleaver-like blades with two loops for attachment without pronounced hooks, as evidenced by archaeological finds from the near and . By the , thrusting points and rear hooks became standard, enhancing versatility against armored cavalry, as seen in the first documented uses during the in 1315. The marked a peak in combat-oriented designs with straight or convex blade edges for slashing, exemplified in Swiss militia weapons like the Sempach type, which emphasized long top spikes for piercing. From 1500 to 1550, halberds retained these combat features but began incorporating regional decorative elements, such as angled blade edges in Type I.A forms documented in the Maximilian Zeugbuch of 1502. The 1550–1600 period introduced concave blade edges for better control in thrusting, as illustrated in 1553 Italian fight books for Type II.A-1 variants. By 1600–1800, designs shifted toward symbolic use with two-piece constructions and ornate sockets in Class IV types, often employed as rank markers by guards rather than in active combat. Regionally, halberds exhibited pronounced variations across Europe, influenced by local warfare tactics and craftsmanship traditions. In , the weapon became iconic among , with distinct cantonal types emerging in the 15th–17th centuries: the ese variant, featured in the 1483 Bern Chronicles, included reinforced socket blades and side straps for durability; the Zurich type shared similar mass-produced features post-1656 for stockpiles; and the design drew from 14th–15th-century archetypes, emphasizing thrusting efficiency. These Swiss forms, including the Sempach style with its characteristic shape, prioritized straight-edged blades for levies effective against knights, and were later revived in conflicts like the 1656 First War of Villmergen. In the , particularly the , 16th–17th-century halberds favored concave-edged blades in Type III.A configurations for ceremonial guards, as in those for Elector , contrasting with Swiss combat emphasis and reflecting urban roles. Italian variants, evident in 16th-century depictions, incorporated subtype variations like half-round cut-outs in Type I.A-1 for agile fencing techniques, adapting the halberd to combat manuals. German-speaking regions often mirrored Swiss straight-edged designs for but evolved toward hybrid forms with pronounced beaks by the late 16th century, as classified in broader European typologies. These differences underscore how halberd forms adapted to terrain, armor types, and socio-military structures, with Swiss models influencing exports across . The halberd is part of a diverse family of medieval designed to provide with reach and versatility against armored and foot soldiers. These weapons typically feature a wooden shaft of 5 to 8 feet, topped with a metal head combining thrusting, cutting, and sometimes hooking elements, though specific designs vary by region and purpose. Emerging in from the 13th century, related polearms evolved alongside the halberd to address similar tactical needs, such as unhorsing knights or breaching plate armor, but they differ in blade shape, weight, and primary function. The , a close relative particularly associated with English forces, resembles a lighter variant of the halberd with a hooked, curved for slashing and pulling, often paired with a point and . Unlike the halberd's broader axe and integrated spike, the bill emphasized agricultural-tool origins, making it more agile for formations but less effective against heavy plate armor. It saw widespread use in the and beyond, valued for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness in peasant levies. The stands out for its long, single-edged, sword-like mounted perpendicular to the shaft, prioritizing sweeping cuts over the halberd's multi-tool design. Lacking the halberd's prominent or tip, the was a thrusting and slashing popular across 13th- to 16th-century , including in French and Italian armies, and similar to Asian weapons like the . Its broader allowed for powerful hacks but required greater skill to wield effectively in dense . Closely akin to the halberd is the (or pollaxe), a shorter weapon (typically 5-6 feet) optimized for individual duels or close-quarters , featuring an or head, rear spike, and sometimes a top spike but without the halberd's extended point. This design made it more maneuverable for armored knights in tournaments or sieges, delivering crushing blows to helmets and joints, though its reduced length limited formation use compared to the halberd. The , evolved from earlier spear forms like the langue de boeuf, features a diamond-shaped point flanked by lateral wings for trapping enemy blades, functioning mainly as a thrusting rather than the halberd's slashing hybrid. Favored by guards and in the 15th-17th centuries, its elegant, symmetrical head distinguished it from the halberd's utilitarian axe-hook combination, often serving in ceremonial roles alongside battlefield utility. In Eastern European contexts, the offered a sweeping alternative with its broad, axe-like blade extending partially down the shaft and secured by nails, differing from the halberd's socketed, integrated head. This construction allowed for powerful cleaving strikes, making it a staple in Russian and Polish forces from the , though less versatile for hooking maneuvers. Other specialized relatives include the , which substitutes the halberd's axe blade with a four-pronged head for percussive impacts against armor, retaining the and elements for . Developed in the , it targeted the concussive vulnerabilities of plate suits, particularly in Swiss and German . Collectively, these polearms peaked in the late medieval period before firearms rendered them obsolete by the , though many persisted in ceremonial guards.

Legacy and Modern Context

Ceremonial and Symbolic Roles

Throughout history, the halberd transitioned from a battlefield weapon to a prominent ceremonial implement, particularly among elite guards and in formal processions. By the early , halberds were primarily carried as symbols of authority by officers and bodyguards protecting dignitaries, often featuring ornate designs without sharpened edges for practical . This evolution reflected the weapon's imposing presence and versatility, making it ideal for ceremonial duties where display outweighed functionality. Similarly, 19th-century examples, such as those in European collections, served as decorative versions of earlier polearms, adorned with tassels and to denote rank during parades. In modern contexts, the halberd retains its ceremonial role most notably with the at the Vatican, where it symbolizes continuity with the Swiss mercenary tradition dating to 1506. Guard members, known as halberdiers, carry these polearms during state receptions, and ceremonies, and the annual swearing-in oath. As of October 2025, they pair halberds with both traditional 16th-century-inspired gala s—including silver helmets and red plumes—and a newly introduced semi-formal uniform consisting of a black wool jacket with gold buttons and a yellow-and-white striped belt, used for special occasions while the gala attire persists for formal papal events. Although contemporary training emphasizes modern firearms, the halberd underscores the Guard's historical vow to protect the , evoking the martial heritage of Swiss infantry. Symbolically, the halberd embodies Swiss independence and martial prowess, serving as a national icon in and emblems. It appears stylized on cantonal coats of arms, municipal seals, family crests, and Swiss Army insignia, representing the Old Swiss Confederacy's combativeness against historical foes like the Habsburgs. This enduring symbolism traces to the weapon's prominence in 14th- and 15th-century battles, such as Morgarten in 1315, where it signified defensive strength and collective resolve. In broader European , the halberd denotes vigilance and authority, often depicted in processional contexts to evoke chivalric or civic pride.

Contemporary Replicas and Uses

In the modern era, halberds are primarily replicated for , training, and ceremonial purposes rather than practical combat. Contemporary replicas are crafted by specialized manufacturers using materials like high-carbon for blades and durable woods such as or for hafts, ensuring functionality while adhering to safety standards for non-lethal use. For instance, companies like Arms & Armor produce custom halberds modeled after 15th- to 16th-century designs, featuring slanted axe edges and back spikes, with overall lengths around 6 to 7 feet to replicate historical proportions. These replicas are often sold unmounted or with interchangeable heads, allowing customization for display or practice. Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) practitioners utilize halberd replicas to study and reconstruct techniques from period treatises, such as those by in his 1570 Art of Combat, emphasizing thrusts, cuts, and hooks against armored opponents. Organizations such as the HEMA Alliance promote such training, where blunt or feder-tipped versions prevent injury during . Reenactment groups, including those focused on medieval battles like Agincourt or Swiss pike formations, employ full-scale replicas in choreographed demonstrations to educate audiences on tactics. Beyond the Vatican, similar ceremonial uses appear in European military parades and heritage festivals, such as those in commemorating the halberd's role in early warfare.

References

  1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halberd
  2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17416124.2020.1728905
  3. https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/halberds-and-spontoons/
  4. https://historicjamestowne.org/collections/artifacts/halberd/
  5. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25898
  6. https://royalarmouries.org/collection/object/object-21521
  7. https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/en/2022/01/the-rise-of-the-all-purpose-weapon-halberd/
  8. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/845840
  9. https://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1998-B79-The-Halberd-and-Other-Polearms-of-the-La.pdf
  10. https://brill.com/display/book/9789047407577/B9789047407577_s007.pdf
  11. https://warhistory.org/@msw/article/the-burgundian-wars-a-new-combined-arms-synthesis-versus-swiss-heavy-infantry
  12. https://soar.suny.edu/bitstream/handle/20.500.12648/15849/Moliterni%20-%20Development%20of%20Late%20Medieval%20Warfare%20%281%29_acc.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  13. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1863&context=sahs_review
  14. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1396&context=sahs_review
  15. https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Gr%C3%BCndtliche_Beschreibung_der_Kunst_des_Fechtens_(Joachim_Meyer)
  16. https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/ambush-at-morgarten/
  17. https://www.medieval.eu/the-battle-of-morgarten-1315/
  18. https://www.clevelandart.org/print/art/1916.1556
  19. https://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/features/online-exhibitions/dean-castle-arms-and-armour/pole-arms-and-melee-weapons/sempach-type-halberd
  20. https://www.arms-n-armor.com/blogs/news/landsknecht-weapons-for-reenactors
  21. https://www.arms-n-armor.com/blogs/news/halberds
  22. https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/polearm/
  23. https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1370&context=sciaa_staffpub
  24. https://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/weapons/index.php/tour-by-region/oceania/europe/arms-and-armour-europe-151/index.html
  25. https://schweizergarde.ch/paepstliche-schweizergarde/en/about-us/uniforms/
  26. https://abcnews.go.com/International/vaticans-swiss-guard-debuts-new-uniform/story?id=126156661
  27. https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/05/vatican-swiss-guards-ready-to-sacrifice-lives-pope
  28. https://www.heraldsnet.org/saitou/parker/Jpglossa.htm
  29. https://www.arms-n-armor.com/products/custom-halberd
  30. https://www.bytheswordinc.com/c-306-halberds.aspx
  31. https://faitsdarmes.com/en/40-polearms
  32. https://www.outfit4events.com/eur/product/914-halberd/
  33. https://www.usccb.org/news/2024/mightier-sword-words-are-swiss-guards-best-weapon
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