| A battle axe (also battle-axe or | | | | Battle axes were also common in Northern |
| battle-ax) is an axe specifically | | | | Europe in the "Viking Age" (9th and 10th |
| designed as a weapon. Battle axes were | | | | C) and up to the 16 Century, see Viking |
| specialized versions of utility axes. | | | | Age arms and armour. |
| Many were suitable for use in one hand, | | | | Most medieval European battle axes had |
| while others were larger and were | | | | broad, socketed heads (meaning that the |
| wielded two-handed. Axes designed for | | | | axe head has an opening into which the |
| warfare ranged in weight from just over | | | | haft is inserted.), and some included |
| 1 lb to 6 lb, and in length from just | | | | long strips of metal (langets) along the |
| over a foot to upwards of five feet, | | | | haft to prevent the haft from being |
| such as the Danish axe or the sparth | | | | damaged during battle. Many polearms, |
| axe. Anything longer than five feet | | | | such as halberds and pollaxes, are |
| would arguably fall more into the | | | | variations of the form of the battle |
| category of polearms. | | | | axe. The axes had fallen out of favor |
| Through the course of human history, | | | | among knights and nobility replaced by |
| commonplace objects have been pressed | | | | swords. However, when armor designed to |
| into service as weapons. Axes, by virtue | | | | defeat swords appeared, simpler weapons |
| of their ubiquity, are no exception. | | | | were employed. The mace could crush |
| Besides axes designed for combat, there | | | | though armor and damage the tissue |
| were many axes that were both tools and | | | | underneath. The battle-axe took this one |
| weapons. Axes could be designed as | | | | step further, by concentrating the |
| throwing weapons as well (see the | | | | weight on a wedge it crushed through |
| Francisca for an example). Axes were | | | | armor and easily cut flesh. |
| always cheaper than swords and far more | | | | In Napoleonic times and later, equine |
| available. | | | | specialists, or Farriers in military |
| Overview | | | | service carried heavy long axes. Though |
| Battle axes generally weigh far less | | | | these could be used for fighting, their |
| than modern splitting axes, especially | | | | primary use was logistical. The branded |
| mauls, because they were designed to cut | | | | hooves of horses were removed to prove |
| flesh rather than wood; consequently | | | | that they had died. Napoleon's Pioneer |
| more narrow, slicing blades are the | | | | Corps also carried axes that were used |
| norm. This facilitates deep, grievous | | | | for both clearing a path and fighting. |
| wounds, additionally, a lighter weapon | | | | This is an example of a battle axe that |
| is much quicker in combat. The handles | | | | was specialized for the use of horsemen. |
| of military axes were often reinforced | | | | A Note the hole on the haft for the |
| with metal bands called langetts so that | | | | accommodation of a leather thong to be |
| an enemy warrior could not cut the | | | | passed over the wrist, the belt hook for |
| wooden handle. Some axes even had | | | | ease of carrying when not in use and the |
| all-metal handles. | | | | lagnets. This example dates from the |
| Stone axes have been in use since at | | | | last quarter of the fifteenth century |
| least the 3rd millennium BC, see | | | | and is 27 inches long. The haft is a |
| Battle-axe people. They were followed by | | | | replacement. The punched decoration on |
| copper, bronze, iron and steel axes. | | | | the blade suggests German manufacture. |
| In the eastern Mediterranean the | | | | Other variations of this design include |
| double-bladed labrys axe was prevalent, | | | | a hammer face instead of the spike |
| and the sagaris, described as either | | | | behind the blade. |
| single or double bladed became | | | | A good reference, contemporary with |
| associated with the mythological | | | | their use, is the Maciejowski Bible of |
| Amazons, though these were generally | | | | ca. 1250. |
| ceremonial rather than practical tools. | | | | |