Polearms! Knightly Poleaxe & Halberd: Differences & Use
13,980Polearms are great and still somewhat underrated (although that has gotten a lot better in recent years). The poleaxe (or pollaxe) and halberd are particularly iconic for the Middle Ages and Renaissance. But what even are they? How do you distinguish them from each other and from various battle axes? Let's take a look at the practical use, background, definition, and how they're made.
Also the polehammer / Lucerne hammer... which is an "axe" according to people back in the day. ;)
*** Sources ***
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Morgarten
French pollaxes from 15th century
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25079
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/26720
Italian pollaxe, ca. 1475
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/26758
Halberds
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25910
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/29009
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/26190
Medieval imagery
https://manuscriptminiatures.com/search
http://myarmoury.com/feature_higgins_pole.html
https://www.artic.edu/artworks/116324/poleaxe
Jeu de la Hache
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3sCcRk5Qs4
077 - VXT 2018 Hache de Pas - Combat 16
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aiisUlVFPE
*** Time Stamps ***
00:00 - 00:48 Introduction
00:48 - 01:30 Length difference
01:30 - 03:46 Poleaxe grip & techniques
03:46 - 04:48 Halberd usage & reach
04:48 - 07:09 Development / purpose / armor
07:09 - 11:53 Terminology & definition
11:53 - 13:00 Earliest halberds / What's a Voulge?
13:00 - 13:34 Time span
13:34 - 14:20 Construction
14:20 - 15:29 Final thoughts / rating / outro
*** Music ***
Intro song:
"Illuminate" by Vindsvept
https://vindsvept.bandcamp.com/track/illuminate
Used with artist's permission
Outtakes:
"Little People At Work" by Horrorpen
https://opengameart.org/content/little-people-at-work-loop
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)
Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
https://theslantedroom.github.io/steve.yee/
Used with artist's permission
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server
http://www.patreon.com/skallagrim
https://www.subscribestar.com/skallagrim
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
https://www.kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
http://www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
Want to treat your face fluff? I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
https://beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
*** Social media & merch ***
How to contact me (can't always reply, as I get too many messages):
https://www.youtube.com/c/Skallagrim/about
See a list of my video uploads:
https://twitter.com/_Skallagrim_
https://www.facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
Channel-related shirts and other merch:
http://skallagrim.spreadshirt.com/
https://teespring.com/stores/skallagrim
#history #weapon #polearm