| The Middle Ages was a time of much conflict and | | | | a good example of the ingenuity of the art of |
| warfare. During this time many unusual weapons | | | | combat and the dynamics of the battlefield. The |
| were created to solve battlefield problems. Many | | | | caltrop was a fabrication of metal that had four |
| of these weapons are familiar to us such as the | | | | points much like a child's Jack. The unique thing |
| sword, axe, or lance. But there were many lesser | | | | about the caltrop was that if you threw it on the |
| known and unusual weapons that were created | | | | ground, because of the four pointed structure, it |
| during this time in history. | | | | would always fall with one point standing straight |
| Not all weapons were created specifically for | | | | up and this was a serious danger and deterrent to |
| battle or for hand to hand combat against an | | | | cavalry or even foot soldiers. |
| armored foe and a good example of this was the | | | | Some of the most unique and unusual designs in |
| Man Catcher. This unusual weapon was a long pole | | | | weapons were in the realm of the dagger and |
| arm with a semi-circular pronged shape catch at | | | | many different daggers came out of the Middle |
| the end. There was a spring-loaded trap on it and | | | | Ages including the Rondel which was a long conical |
| it was used to reach up, capture, and pull down | | | | shaped dagger. It was specifically a piercing |
| someone mounted on a horse. The primary use | | | | weapon and it's conical shape made it look much |
| of this weapon was to capture enemy royalty for | | | | like a long and slender ice cream cone. The |
| later ransom. | | | | Poniard was another unusual dagger because it |
| The Sword breaker was another unique weapon | | | | had either a square or triangular shape. This shape |
| developed and used during the Middle Ages. This | | | | was effective for piercing armor. |
| was a long and very sturdy dagger that had slots | | | | The Middle Ages saw a tremendous development |
| on one side much like the teeth of a comb. This | | | | in many types of weapons. Some of these |
| was a standard off hand weapon that was used | | | | weapons are still in use today but some of the |
| to capture an opponent's sword blade. Once the | | | | more unique ones, because of their very specific |
| blade was caught a quick twist of the sword | | | | applications, are no longer seen. Yet they remain |
| breaker would snap the opponent's sword blade. | | | | as a testament to the nature of the medieval |
| Not all weapons were hand-held and the caltrop is | | | | battlefield. |