#List of medieval weapons full#

Over time, the full head-to-toe suit or armor was developed. Later, steel plates to cover the chest were added. Armor originally began as metal helmets and shields. The effective body shielding was tailor-made by a metalsmith to the intended wearer. Suits of Armor: Introduced in the 14th century, suits of armor were expensive. When soldiers used shields collectively they could make a wall that would protect against a cavalry.

Shields: Used to protect the fighter from attack. Fireballs were hurled in order to set fire to the inner structures. Dead and diseased animals – even people – were sometimes thrown over walls in order to spread disease to those inside. Large rocks or iron balls were hurled at castle walls in order to smash them down. Trebuchet or Catapult: Often created on site from local wood, these were large devices with a weighted throwing arm held under tension until released. Swords came in many varieties such as sabers, broadswords and claymores. Sword: Medieval swords almost always had a double-edged blade to enable cutting action on the backswing.

#List of medieval weapons windows#

Murder Holes: Were windows or special holes in walls or gates that were used by defenders inside the castle to pour sewage, hot water, oil or burning tar on those below. Soldiers who used this as a weapon were called longbowmen or archers. Longbow and Arrows: Long range offensive weapon system that was highly accurate in skilled hands.The longbow was used to fire arrows for killing arrows with tips dipped in poison to ensure death and arrows with flaming tips in order to set fire to distant objects. Largely ceremonial version of a spear used during jousting tournaments. Knives were used as a weapon in place of a dagger only by the poorest of citizens.

Knives: Smaller than a dagger and usually having only a single-edge blade, knives were used primarily as a tool for eating, cutting and repairing. Eventually Europeans learned more about gunpowder leading to powerful new weapons such as guns, bombs and cannons. Gunpowder: This strange and powerful new technology was introduced to Europe around 1250.Invented by the Chinese much earlier, gunpowder was brought back and used with poor success until it was better understood. Glaives were used by knights and foot soldiers to kill and maim at a greater distance than the victim could defend. Glaive: A kind of spear with a single-edge blade. Most often daggers were used for close combat when the fighter’s sword was lost. Daggers were common to most soldiers and varied from simple to elegant. The crossbow fired metal bolts (small arrows) with great force, and had the advantage of being able to carry more bolts than one could when using a bow.ĭagger: Two-sided blade. as a long-range weapon similar to a bow and arrow, but easier to conceal. Battle Axe: Common weapon used for chopping.Ĭaltrop: Multi-pointed metal spikes that were scattered in the path of invaders in order to slow the enemy when soldiers or their horses stepped on them.Ĭrossbow: Became popular after 1100 B.C.