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Poleaxe
Poleaxe
Poleaxe
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15th-century Venetian poleaxe at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The poleaxe (also poleax, pollaxe and other similar spellings) is a European polearm that was used by medieval infantry.

Etymology

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Most etymological authorities consider the poll- prefix historically unrelated to "pole", instead meaning "head".[1][2] However, some etymologists, including Eric Partridge, support this explanation.[3]

The construction of the poleaxe

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Godfrey of Bouillon holds a short Lucerne hammer. Anachronistic fresco dated 1420.
Warrior holding a poleaxe in the coat of arms of Alytus County, Lithuania

The poleaxe design arose from the need to breach the plate armour of men at arms during the 14th and 15th centuries. Generally, the form consisted of a wooden haft some 1.5–2 m (4.9–6.6 ft) long, mounted with a steel head. It seems most schools of combat suggested a haft length comparable to the height of the wielder, but in some cases hafts appear to have been created up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in length.

Illustration of two men in armor fighting with poleaxes and taunting one another (in french).
Guards of the pollax in armourp, from Philippo di Vadi's treatise on fencing entitled De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi

The design of the head varied greatly with a variety of interchangeable parts and rivets. Generally, the head bore an axe head or hammer head mounted on ash or other hard-wood shafts from 4–6 ft in length, with a spike, hammer, or fluke on the reverse.[4] In addition, there was a spike or spear head projecting from the end of the shaft which was often square in cross section, sometimes referred to as the "dague dessous".[4] The head was attached to the squared-off wooden pole by long flat strips of metal, called langets, which were riveted in place on either two or four of its sides to reinforce the pole against being chopped through in combat.[5] A round hilt-like disc called a rondelle was placed just below the head. They also appear to have borne one or two rings along the pole's length as places to prevent hands from slipping. Also of note is that the butt end of the staff, opposite the weapon's head, bore a spike or shoe.

On quick glance, the poleaxe is often confused with the similar-looking halberd. While they may have both been designed for hacking and piercing through armor plates, the axe blade on a poleaxe seems to have been consistently smaller than that of a halberd. A smaller head concentrates the kinetic energy of the blow on a smaller area, enabling the impact to defeat armour, while broader halberd heads are better against opponents with less mail or plate armour. Furthermore, many halberds had their heads forged as a single piece, while the poleaxe was typically modular in design.[6]

Fighting with poleaxe

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The poleaxe was used by knights and other men-at-arms (both noble and non-noble) in chivalric duels for prestige, to settle disputes in judicial duels, and of course on the battlefield.[7] It was a close range weapon that required ones full body strength and both hands to wield effectively.[4][8][7] The poleaxe has a sophisticated fighting technique, which is based on quarterstaff fighting. The blade of the poleaxe can be used, not only for simply hacking down the opponent, but also for tripping him, disarming him and blocking his blows. Both the head spike and butt spike can be used for thrusting attacks. The shaft itself is also a central part of the weapon, able to block the enemy's blows (the langets helping to reinforce the shaft), hit and push with the shaft held in both hands, or trip the opponent. The poleaxe's devastating efficiency is the origin of the term “to be poleaxed”, which dates from the 15th century when captives were often slain using poleaxe-blows to the head, and is now used to describe one being attacked or beat down in a brutal way, as if with a poleaxe.[9][4]

Many treatises on poleaxe fighting survive from the 15th and 16th centuries. Poleaxe fighting techniques have been rediscovered with the increasing interest in historical European martial arts.

Today the poleaxe is a weapon of choice of many medieval re-enactors. Rubber poleaxe heads designed for safe combat are available commercially.

Use in language

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As a noun:[10]

  • An ax having both a blade and a hammer face; used to slaughter cattle.
  • (historical) A long-handled battle axe, being a combination of ax, hammer and pike.

As a transitive verb:[11]

  • (transitive) To fell someone with, or as if with, a poleaxe.
  • (transitive, figurative) To astonish; to shock or surprise utterly.
  • (transitive, figurative) To stymie, thwart, cripple, paralyze.

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Poleaxe

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The poleaxe, also known as the pollaxe or pollax, is a type of medieval European pole weapon characterized by a long wooden shaft typically measuring 4 to 6 feet in length, topped with a metal head combining an axe for cutting, a or flanged head for crushing, and a spike or for thrusting and piercing armor. This versatile design allowed it to deliver powerful blows capable of inflicting severe wounds on both armored and unarmored foes, making it a favored tool for close-quarters combat. Originating in the as an evolution of earlier warhammers and axes, such as the Danish axe, the poleaxe gained prominence during the and into the , particularly in where it served as the infantry counterpart to the . It was wielded primarily by dismounted knights, men-at-arms, and foot soldiers, who used it effectively against mounted and in sieges, as seen in the . The weapon's popularity peaked in the , with ornate examples reflecting the status of their owners, and it remained in use until the 16th century before being largely supplanted by firearms and other . In design, the poleaxe's head varied regionally, with English versions often emphasizing a broad axe blade (6 to 11 inches long) alongside a , while continental variants like the bec-de-corbin featured a curved for hooking and piercing plate armor. Shafts were commonly made of or , sometimes reinforced with metal langets or fitted with rondel guards to protect the user's hands, and the overall weight ranged from 5 to 6 pounds for balanced two-handed use. Combat treatises, such as Fiore dei Liberi's Flos Duellatorum (early ) and Hans Talhoffer's Fechtbuch (mid-), detail techniques including thrusting strikes, parries, and maneuvers, underscoring its role in both battlefield engagements and judicial duels. Notable historical instances include its use in mass battles like in 1461, where skeletal remains from mass graves show evidence of poleaxe-inflicted trauma. Surviving artifacts, such as those in the dated to around 1470, highlight the weapon's craftsmanship and adaptability, cementing its status as one of the most effective anti-armor weapons of its era.

Origins and

Historical Development

The poleaxe emerged in the as an evolution of earlier warhammers and axes, such as the , developing to provide versatile anti-armor capabilities during the (1337–1453). This development addressed the limitations of traditional axes and spears against increasingly sophisticated plate armor, incorporating an axe head for chopping and a spike for thrusting to penetrate or concuss protected foes. Later illustrations, such as those in depicting the in 1356, associate the weapon with early major engagements of the war. By the , the poleaxe reached its peak adoption across , particularly among knights and in , , and the , where it became a staple for dismounted combat in major engagements. Its versatility shone in battles like Agincourt in 1415, during which English longbowmen, having depleted their arrows, transitioned to poleaxes for close-quarters assaults on disorganized French heavy cavalry, exacerbating the rout and leading to heavy casualties. Treatises from this era, such as those by and Hans Talhoffer, underscore its prominence as a knightly weapon, emphasizing techniques tailored for armored duels and battlefield efficacy. The poleaxe's decline began in the , driven by the rise of firearms like arquebuses and the obsolescence of full plate armor, which shifted warfare toward ranged engagements and longer pikes for formations. As weapons proliferated, the need for specialized anti-armor tools diminished, leading to the poleaxe's gradual replacement by more mass-produced s and early firearms in European armies by the mid-1500s.

Linguistic Roots

The term "poleaxe," also spelled "pollaxe," originates from "pollax," combining "poll" (meaning head) and "axe," referring to the weapon's distinctive headed design atop a long shaft. The spelling was later influenced by "pole," emphasizing the handle. The word first appears in historical records from the mid-14th century.

Design and Variants

Core Components

The standard poleaxe features a robust shaft constructed from , typically or , valued for their flexibility and ability to absorb shock during impact. These woods provide the necessary resilience against splintering under repeated strikes, with shafts measuring 4 to 6 feet in length to allow for versatile handling in close-quarters combat. Reinforcement often includes wrappings for grip and metal langets—thin strips riveted along the shaft—to secure the head and prevent splitting at the junction. The head assembly, forged from , integrates multiple functional elements into a single unit for chopping, crushing, and thrusting. It commonly comprises an axe blade on one or both sides, with a cutting edge of 6 to 11 inches designed for cleaving; a central or flanged mace head for penetrating plate armor; and a rear spike or dagger-like point, typically 4 to 10 inches long, suited for and piercing. This tripartite design exemplifies the poleaxe's engineering as a multi-purpose , with the components often formed from medium-carbon to balance hardness and . For optimal performance, the poleaxe maintains an overall length of 5 to 7 feet and weighs 4 to 6 pounds, with the center of gravity positioned near the head to facilitate powerful overhead swings and precise thrusts. Attachment methods include a socket that encases the shaft's end or a tang inserted into a slotted haft, both secured by rivets and langets to ensure stability under . This configuration enhances durability while allowing the weapon to be wielded one- or two-handed. Manufacturing in the relied on blacksmithing techniques such as hot forging in coal-fired forges, where the head was hammered into shape on an , followed by in to harden the edges and tempering for flexibility. Simpler with carburized edges became more common by the late medieval period. Maintenance primarily involved periodic haft replacement, as wood could splinter from impacts, while the head required oiling to prevent . These elements form the archetypal build, with minor adaptations appearing across regions to suit local preferences.

Regional Variations

Poleaxe designs varied across medieval to adapt to combat styles and armor types. English variants often featured a broad axe blade (typically 7-9 inches) paired with a head, emphasizing chopping against and early plate, as seen in artifacts from the . In contrast, continental European designs like the French bec-de-corbin incorporated a curved beak for hooking and piercing plate armor joints, with a shorter spike and flanged , measuring overall 5-6 feet. Swiss and German examples, such as the , prioritized a long-pronged head over the axe blade for crushing blows, often with reinforced langets and lengths up to 7 feet for use by against . Italian poleaxes, influenced by judicial duels, sometimes included ornate engravings and a more balanced design with both axe and spike, weighing around 5 pounds. These variations highlight the weapon's adaptability, though core components remained consistent.

Combat Applications

Techniques and Tactics

The poleaxe's offensive techniques emphasized versatile strikes adapted to armored combat, leveraging its multi-faceted head for penetration and blunt force. Primary strikes included overhead chops delivered with the axe blade to breach shields or helmets, as illustrated in Fiore dei Liberi's Fiore de'i Liberi where a powerful downward strike targets the opponent's head from the Stance of the Queen. Downward strikes with the axe or hammer head in the beat weapons to the ground. Thrusts using the top spike pierced mail gaps or visors, with the Shortened Serpent stance enabling a direct face thrust that could trouble cuirasses and breastplates. Grappling and half-swording extended the poleaxe's utility in close quarters, often requiring gauntlets for safe handling. Fighters used the shaft as a lever to hook and unhorse mounted opponents by snaring limbs or harnesses, a tactic shown in Hans Talhoffer's Fechtbuch illustrations of binding and unhorsing maneuvers. Gripping the head for precise stabs or trips, as in Paulus Kal's treatises where wrenching at the neck or setting the opponent back over the leg facilitates ground control. These methods transitioned seamlessly from distance to clinch, exploiting the weapon's length for leverage. Defensive tactics capitalized on the poleaxe's reach and robust construction against shorter weapons like swords. Parrying occurred with the head's flat side or the shaft to deflect incoming strikes, while the overall allowed keep-away maneuvers to maintain , as described in Fiore's guard where neither axe blows nor thrusts can easily penetrate. The spike's thrusting utility further aided in countering by redirecting attacks into offensive thrusts. In tactical roles, the poleaxe excelled in melees against plate armor, targeting vulnerable joints with thrusts or bashes to the helmet for concussion, techniques prominent in armored judicial duels as evidenced in Talhoffer's 1467 fechtbuch and the . These duels highlighted the weapon's role in prestige combats, where crushing helmet strikes or joint penetrations could decisively incapacitate foes without breaching full plate outright. For example, at the in 1415, English men-at-arms used poleaxes effectively against French knights in close combat.

Training and Usage Contexts

Fifteenth-century treatises, such as Le Jeu de la Hache, outline techniques for foot combat with the poleaxe as part of knightly education. In military settings, poleaxes were used by men-at-arms and dismounted knights during the , serving as key weapons in both open-field battles and sieges. They proved effective against cavalry, with the poleaxe's reach and hooking elements allowing infantry to unhorse riders, disrupting charges in battles like those of the . Civilian and ceremonial applications included tournaments, where poleaxes featured in combats among . In judicial contexts, such as fourteenth- and fifteenth-century in and , the weapon was permitted for resolving disputes, symbolizing noble status and martial prowess. The poleaxe's weight, typically ranging from 5 to 7 pounds, limited its use to short, intense engagements, necessitating physical conditioning to build endurance for sustained wielding.

Cultural Impact

Symbolism in Art and Literature

In medieval illuminated manuscripts, the poleaxe is prominently depicted as a symbol of chivalric heroism and martial excellence, particularly in the late 15th-century illustrations of Jean Froissart's Chronicles, where it appears in scenes of pitched battles such as the (1356). These artworks portray knights wielding ornate poleaxes against armored foes, emphasizing the weapon's role in embodying noble valor and tactical superiority on the battlefield. Similarly, the (c. 1450) from shows Roman figures using poleaxes in contexts of , underscoring themes of authority and righteous enforcement of order. In literary works, the poleaxe represents a balance of raw power and refined skill, often wielded by exemplary knights to highlight themes of honor and combat prowess. In Sir Thomas Malory's (1485), poleaxes feature in intense duels, such as instances where a lifts an opponent's with the weapon before striking, symbolizing the knight's ability to overcome even the most formidable defenses through strategic force. This portrayal aligns with broader chivalric narratives, where the poleaxe tempers brute strength with discipline, as seen in descriptions of knights like engaging in righteous struggles against adversaries. Heraldically, the poleaxe functions as an emblem of martial virtue, guardianship, and authoritative might, frequently incorporated into coats of arms to signify a bearer's commitment to knightly and defense of . In morality tales and allegorical contexts within medieval chronicles, it denotes the legitimate use of against tyranny, as in Froissart's accounts of judicial combats where the weapon enforces retribution. Socially and in terms of symbolism, the poleaxe is predominantly linked to male warriors, reinforcing ideals of masculine strength and chivalric dominance in and . However, occasional depictions in portray female figures as polearm-wielding combatants, such as in late medieval tales of armored noblewomen, symbolizing exceptional defiance of norms and in defensive roles.

Modern Interpretations

In contemporary and the (HEMA) community, the poleaxe serves as a key tool for reconstructing medieval combat techniques based on period treatises, such as those by . Practitioners engage in sparring and training with modern replicas designed for safety and authenticity, often featuring steel heads on ash or hardwood hafts approximately 5 feet long to mimic 15th-century proportions. These replicas, produced by specialized 21st-century forges like White Well Arms in the UK, enable detailed study of thrusting, hooking, and striking maneuvers while minimizing injury risk through blunted edges and synthetic training variants. Authentic poleaxes are preserved in major institutions, including the , where a 16th-century example with a gun-barrel shaft and short knife-like axe blade exemplifies Tudor-era craftsmanship and maintenance challenges like prevention. Museums conduct metallurgical analyses to distinguish originals—often showing wear from battle or tournaments—from high-fidelity reproductions used in displays or , highlighting differences in purity and forging techniques. Such preservation efforts ensure artifacts inform ongoing research into medieval weaponry without risking damage from handling. The poleaxe's linguistic legacy persists in the English "poleaxed," meaning to be stunned or knocked unconscious, with earliest recorded use in denoting a sudden, overwhelming blow akin to the weapon's impact. This expression, derived from the poleaxe's head-striking capability, entered common parlance in the amid evolving views on . In fantasy media, the poleaxe appears as a versatile two-handed weapon in games like , where it deals piercing, slashing, or bludgeoning damage (typically 1d10) and shares mechanics with halberds, allowing players to evoke knightly combat in tabletop scenarios. Academic discussions in arms and armor studies debate the poleaxe's effectiveness against other polearms, praising its versatility for close-quarters armored duels over the focus, though some argue pikes offered superior anti-cavalry reach in open battles. In popular culture, the poleaxe influences depictions of Crusader warfare in films such as Kingdom of Heaven (2005), where similar staff weapons underscore themes of chivalric defense during the Siege of Jerusalem. These interpretations bridge historical utility with modern fascination, emphasizing the poleaxe's adaptability in both scholarly analysis and entertainment.

References

  1. http://myarmoury.com/feature_spot_poleaxe.html
  2. https://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-weapons/pole-axe.htm
  3. https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/polearm/
  4. https://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-battle-of-agincourt
  5. https://www.medievalists.net/2015/11/ponderous-cruel-and-mortal-a-review-of-medieval-poleaxe-technique-from-surviving-treatises-of-the-fourteenth-and-fifteenth-centuries/
  6. https://www.etymonline.com/word/poleax
  7. https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/the-viking-and-medieval-spear-materials-and-manufacture
  8. https://sagy.vikingove.cz/en/materials-of-early-medieval-spear-shafts/
  9. https://www.arms-n-armor.com/blogs/news/what-are-langets-on-a-polearm-for
  10. https://web.wpi.edu/academics/me/IMDC/IQP%20Website/reports/1415/medieval.pdf
  11. https://www.chicagoswordplayguild.com/the-weapons/the-poleaxe-azza
  12. https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Fiore_de%27i_Liberi/Poleaxe
  13. https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Talhoffer_Fechtbuch_(Cod.icon._394a)
  14. https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Paulus_Kal_Fechtbuch_(MS_KK5126)
  15. https://www.thearma.org/spotlight/lejeudelahache.htm
  16. https://www.arms-n-armor.com/blogs/news/knightly-pole-axe
  17. https://www.academia.edu/12283706/Ponderous_Cruel_and_Mortal_A_Review_of_Medieval_Poleaxe_Technique_from_Surviving_Treatises_of_the_Fourteenth_and_Fifteenth_Centuries_2003_
  18. https://brill.com/downloadpdf/book/9789004306455/B9789004306455_024.pdf
  19. https://www.heraldryclipart.com/symbolism/p.html
  20. https://battlingblades.com/blogs/news/women-in-combat-historical-weapons-wielded-by-female-warriors
  21. https://www.reddit.com/r/wma/comments/6xzw1a/poleaxe_suitable_for_hema/
  22. https://www.oed.com/dictionary/poleaxed_adj
  23. https://aminoapps.com/c/officialdd/page/item/poleaxe/L2wp_eEVtBIwPbZr2R6bBYKaXqNBMZ35e8Y
  24. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48578277
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0320661/
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