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Medieval Weapons and armor for video game designers
--------------------DAGGERS---------------
The dagger also has the added feature of being useful for things other than combat with an enemy. It is a standard issue item because it has many other uses including cutting, cooking, hunting, and throwing.
The Flamberge is an interesting weapon used in Germany and very popular around the 15th Century. Some of the finer points are the fact that it is a two handed weapon but it has something called a "Ricasso" that is the leather wrapped section shown at left that is between the handle and the blade. This allowed the wielder to choke up on the sword and get better control of it. The flamberge shown here also has the unusual Kriss style (wavy) blade.
------------------SWORDS-----------------
POLEARM WEAPONS Lances The lance is a relative of the spear but unlike the spear it was not meant for throwing. It is a much heavier weapon and much more durable. It was particularly effective in two different ways. A group of mounted knights could charge with their lances thus creating a very effective way of breaking through enemy lines. IT could also be used as an effective defense against mounted charges. Lances were much longer and sturdier than their cousin the spear. Usually ranging up to about ten feet in length with the jousting versions sometimes even longer - as long as twelve feet or more..
What is that metal cone shaped object on the lance near where the knight holds it? That is called a Vamplate. It was designed to protect the knights hand and to stop his hand from sliding up the lance upon impact. These vamplates on jousting lances were often extremely large. This would also help in causing the opposing knights lance to slide away. Halberd What is a halberd? Put simply it is an axe mounted on the end of a large spear. So in effect it is a melding of two different weapons - the axe and the spear but it wasn't used for throwing like the spear, just for thrusting. . It was an extremely effective weapon because it was very versatile. The spear point could be used to keep distance from the enemy and made it capable for foot troops to effective attack mounted soldiers. The slicing axe blade could cause vicious damage to armor because the halberd could generate very powerful slices with long swings. Also an effective part of the Halberd was the metal wrapping of much of the handle. This made it an effective tool for blocking an enemy's weapons, particulary swords. Many halberds also had hooks opposite the blade side. This allowed the wielder to hook into the armor of a mounted knight and pull him to the ground.
FOOT SOLDIER WITH SPEAR Schleich The predominant use of the spear was for throwing. But over the centuries they were adapted for the changing needs of hand to hand combat. It has been used in cultures throughout the world because it is inexpensive and easy to make and it is extremely effective. You can attack your enemy without getting too close. . Although there are some interesting variations. The Tribal spear shown at the top of the page is one of these variations. It could be used as a thrown weapon but because of the bladed and hooked end it was also a very effective halbard type weapon. And the spike on the bottom end was very effective at securing the spear into the ground to hold ground against an attack, particularly mounted attacks. The spike could also be used in close combat and when the melee got very confused and vicious. Here is a link to learn more about the spear shown above (It is over six feet in length). Product Page at Amazon
The Poleaxe The poleaxe was exactly what the name refers to. It was an axe blade placed on the long handle of a pole. This served as a good hybrid weapon. It could be used to slice and chop and the enemy from a distance and was particular effective against mounted knights and for reaching over the shields of foot troops.
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The
Medieval Axe was a fearsome weapon. It combined many different tactics
into one weapon. The Main blade of course was something to be feared but
there were other aspects that made it a formidable weapon. The Medieval
axe often had a pick like weapon opposite the blade as in this example.
Sometimes it had a second blade or even a hammer. It was a feared close
combat weapon. Many of them also had some kind of tool at the bottom of
the handle. This could be used to pierce and puncture. The one shown here
has a metal spike. 
Double
Bladed Renaissance Axe This is a good example of an Axe with blades
on both sides. The bottom end (called the Pommed) doesn't have a spike
but it is capped in steel and could be used to strike blows with. 
Executioners
Axe This is a prototypical axe. One side has the vicious axe blade
and the otherside has a very sturdy piercing and slicing blade. The handle
also has a metal pommel for striking blows in close quarter action.. 
The
Claymore is a two handed weapon that was used between the 15th and
17th centuries. It was a particularly effective and feared weapon because
it was large yet light. It was quicker and more effective then other two
handed swords. Often times claymores had something called a Ricasso. This
was a section of the blade above the handle that was wrapped or covered.
This allowed the wielder to choke up on the sword and use it as a half
sword. The claymore has been popularized in movies such as highlander
and Braveheart. The claymore that Mel Gibson uses in Braveheart is configured
with a Ricasso.
The
Club was an early Medieval weapon. It orignally was simply a heavy
piece of wood. Over the centuries it changed with the changes in technology
and the changes in Armor. There are many many variations of clubs. The
one shown here has piercing blades on it. These would cause maximum damage
to enemies and they would pierce armor. 
Daggers
are a weapon that naturally evolved from the changes in society and the
advancement of technologies. They evolved many different styles all over
the world. Here is an example of an egyptian style Kriss (Or waved blade)
Over
the centuries the dagger took on many roles and many shapes. When Firearms
took the place of the sword the dagger still found use as a close quarter
combat weapon. Many military forces still arm their soldiers with daggers
and bayonets still adorn the ends of rifles. The commando dagger shown
here is a good example of a modern military variation of a dagger. 
Throughout
the centuries the dagger has also been a ceremonial weapon and daggers
have been designed very ornately and given to members of organizations
as a symbol of rank. The knights templar dagger shown at the left is a
good example of this. 
Daggers
have taken on a tremendous variety of shapes and sizes. This is an example
of a very creative dagger that was designed for the movie The Chronicles
of Riddick.
The
Medieval Flail is not as varied as the Mace but it did have some interesting
variations. The basic concept is a heavy weight that is attached to the
end of a handle by a chain. When this is swung it generates enormous force
- muc more force than the Mace could deliver. It also had the added advantage
of being able to reach over or around armor and shields. The flail shown
at the left is a single ball morningstar style. 
This
flail is a three balled morning star.It was particularly effective
at going up and over, or around shields and armor to reach its target.
The
Flamberge 
Medieval
Swords changed drastically over the centuries of the Middle Ages.
There were two major factors that affected these changes. The first reason
for change was the change in the technology of metalworking and blacksmithing.
As this art improved so did the weapons. The second factor that caused
changes in Medieval swords was the changes in Armor. As armor got stronger
and lighter swords had to adjust to find the weaknessess. The biggest
response to the changes in armor was the thinning and lightening of the
sword. It evolved from being a massive slicing weapon to a more razor
sharp pointed weapon that could find and exploit weaknesses in armor particularly
at the joints. The sword shown here in the first picture is representative
of what we think of when we think "Medieval Sword". 
King
Arthur's Excalibur Sword - This is also a sword in the very traditional
high middle ages style. This is considered a classic style weapon. 
The
Sabre - This is a good example of how swords progressed over the centuries.
This sword would have been made with better metalworking skills than the
previous two swords. The steel would have been harder yet more flexible.
The blade is razor sharp on one edge only. A sword like this is much lighter
and can be swung faster than the previous swords. The sharpness and durability
of the blade would have made it a better weapon against armor. Less blunt
force would be needed to slice armor. 
Rapier
This weapon represented the peak of the battle between the advances
in armor and the advances in swords. The rapier had a very thing blad
and a very sharp point. It could be wielded extremely fast and could find
the smallest of flaws in armor. This weapon marked the end of the sword
period and it flourished during the Renaissance. It reigned supreme until
the invention of the musket. 
Spears
