photo by Alfred Cheney Johnston 1910-1920’s
Sir Peter Paul Rubens. Emperor Maximilian I. ca. 1618.
Oil on oak.
Kunsthistorisches Museum. Vienna, Austria.
An excellent demonstration from Barton-Wright’s classic Pearson’s Magazine article, “Self Defence with a Walking Stick”, 1900 (Bartitsu.org).
The Halberd
A halberd (also called halbard, halbert or Swiss voulge) is a two-handed pole weapon that came to prominent use during the 14th and 15th centuries. Possibly the word halberd comes from the German words “halm” (staff), and “barte” (axe) - in modern-day German, the weapon is called “Hellebarde”.
The halberd consists of an axe blade topped with a spike mounted on a long shaft. It always has a hook or thorn on the back side of the axe blade for grappling mounted combatants. It is very similar to certain forms of the voulge in design and usage. The halberd was 1.5 to 1.8 metres (5 to 6 feet) long.
The halberd was cheap to produce and very versatile in battle. As the halberd was eventually refined, its point was more fully developed to allow it to better deal with spears and pikes (also able to push back approaching horsemen), as was the hook opposite the axe head, which could be used to pull horsemen to the ground.
Additionally, halberds were reinforced with metal rims over the shaft, thus making effective weapons for blocking other weapons like swords. This capability increased its effectiveness in battle, and expert halberdiers were as deadly as any other weapon masters. A halberd in the hands of a Swiss peasant was the weapon which killed the Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold, decisively ending the Burgundian Wars, literally in a single stroke.
The halberd was the primary weapon of the early Swiss armies in the 14th and early 15th centuries. Later on, 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 being 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 the short sword known as the Katzbalger. 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.
Source: Wikipedia
Photo source: Higgins Armory Museum via We Love DC
Hand-and-a-Half Sword
Unusual example of a composite hand-and-a-half sword located in a private collection. Blade reportedly circa 15th century with a later hilt.
Source & Info Copyright: My Armoury
Photo Copyright: LionGate Arms & Armor, Inc.
Ivory Hilted Keris Dagger
This is a kris dagger with a finely carved large thick ivory hilt dated from early 19th century. These types of daggers from East Java/Madura have some European influence. Carvings appear to be Angels riding saddled horses. Floral designs surround an interesting Egyptian style crest. The blade is 14 inches long (35.56cm), 18.5 inches overall (47cm) with the sheath included.
Source & Copyright: Historical Arms & Armor
- Requested by bright-pink-noise
European Falchion with Silver Accented & Engraved Hilt and Pommel
Single edged straight blade Falchion, measuring 27 1/2” long, with thin double fullers running along the spine and a series of punch dot and crescent markings on and immediately above the ricasso.
The guard is fitted with a pair of turned quillions with disc tips and a pair of forward arms curving up to the end of the ricasso, all decorated with a mixture of silver finished raised engraving and inlaid and engraved silver plates, with designs of winged shields and knights on horseback.
The grip is wire wrapped wood with woven wire accents, and the disc pommel is decorated as the hilt, with the addition of silver panels depicting the fight between St. George and the Dragon. Originating as Georgius, a Roman military officer, St. George grew to become a symbol for knightly virtue, often depicted on a white horse wearing the armor of the day.
Source & Copyright: iCollector
Armor of George Clifford, Third Earl of Cumberland - c. 1585
“George Clifford (1558–1605) was appointed Queen’s Champion in 1590 and was made a Knight of the Garter two years later. He is best remembered for his capture of the Spanish fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1598. A favorite of Queen Elizabeth I (r. 1558–1603), he chose for the decoration of this armor the Tudor rose, the French fleur-de-lis (then part of the English arms), and the cipher of Elizabeth, two E’s back to back.”
