Medieval Arms and Armor

The Broadsword was a broad double-edged sword used for slashing. The Claymore was a giant broadsword. The Falchion was a short sword with a single curved edge. The Foil was a thin sword like rod used for fencing. The Longsword was used between 1250 and 1550. It was cross-shaped and double-edged. The Longsword was used for striking and thrusting. The Rapier was a long sword with a cup-shaped hilt.

Ranged weapons were extremely useful. Most were dangerous and used by archers. The Bombard was a medieval cannon. The Bow was a longbow. It was usually the size of the person using it. The Shortbow was a small versatile projectile launcher. The Crossbow was a bow with a trigger. It launches bolts or arrows.

Heavy weapons were heavy weapons. The Battering Ram was used to break down doors and gates. The catapult was used to hurdle rocks long distances. The petard was a small medieval bomb. These were used during siege.

The knights in medieval times used armor. The most common armor for knights was the plate-mail armor. This was most protective in battle and could withstand many blades. The armor that some footsoldiers used was called chainmail. This armor was made up of a mesh of metal rings. It was light but it protected against broad swords and club-like weapons. Leather armor was the favorite of archers. It offered very little protection.

The battle method for a medieval battle was very much like the game chess. The two commanders rode up on horseback and discussed who would attack first and how many people were in each army. They then went back to the armies and talked to them and planned strategies. Finally, the battle would start when the archers started firing. The next thing would usually be the lancers riding up on horses and attacking the other army. The pikesmen would run up next and attack. The full army was never sent at the same time. Instead, waves were used. A wave was a group of soldiers.

The weapons used by the earliest civilizations were clubs and sticks. These were what they knew of. As time passed and the medieval age began the weapons were swords and catapults. The clubs were still used but they were in a more advanced form. Then the Chinese invention of gunpowder became known to other nations and the gun was invented. The gun changed warfare completely. Now the nuclear bomb is used and it is devastating. It is extremely powerful. In the future even more deadly weapons will be created and the nuke of today will become the same as an old club. Weapons have evolved dramatically.