Pollaxe Combat
By Ian Ruscak
One of the oldest forms of weaponry, staff weapons have an origin tracing back to human prehistory. For most of the Middle Ages, the lance and the spear were identical, the only difference being that the spear was the staff weapon of the foot soldier and the lance was that of a horseman. Because these weapons were cheap, spear and shield combat was the most popular form of combat during the 11th and 12th centuries. Due to its cost effectiveness, the spear became a classless weapon used by peasants and noblemen alike.
The 14th century saw the development of the polaxe from the combination of the two-handed axe and the halberd. This weapon, capable of piercing and shattering breastplates, consisted of many combinations of beak, hammer and axe. Though the proportions of the weapon depended on individual taste, it was said that the overall height of the pollaxe should be one hand longer than the height of the man using it, giving the weapon an approximate height of about 6 to 7 feet. Despite its dimensions, it could be wielded with great efficiency and deadly precision. This weapon was used in battle and foot tournaments where fatal and near fatal injuries often occurred.
The main purpose of all staff weaponry was to probe the enemy’s defenses and to stab at the openings in the opponent’s armor. In addition to the ability to stab, the pollaxe was also able to bash the defenses of the enemy with its hammerhead.
To maximize on its length, the spear was gripped well to the rear with the point as far advanced as possible to keep the enemy at distance. The grip on the pollaxe was fixed in the middle in order to take advantage of all of its potential attacks.
The basic defensive moves for both the spear and pollaxe were the parry, where an enemy’s blow is redirected with the use of your weapon, and the check, where one would negate the enemy’s blow with a with one from his own weapon. Offensive moves included thrusts, blows and throws.
The spear material shown on this website could have taken place after initial combat on horseback. After a knight got knocked off his horse, or chose to dismount, he would retain his spear (or lance) and use that as an effective weapon during foot combat. Spears were often included as the initial weapon in a judicial duel.
The material pertaining to pollaxe combat most likely would have occurred during tournaments or judicial duels, since the pollaxe does not seem to have been used extensively on the battlefield.