| #ffffff;" /> | | | | a lot of lethal ones, the ones that were movable |
| Technological conditions and nature of availability | | | | and capable of wreaking havoc and death of an |
| of raw materials form the basis of any | | | | opponent. Thus despite having played a key role |
| culture’s arsenal at any point of time in | | | | in the deaths of many people during the Middle |
| the history of mankind. Prehistoric human race, | | | | Ages, it is a category of its own and hence will be |
| often better known as the Stone Age civilization | | | | kept out the following discussion on medieval |
| were known for their intelligent usage of grinding | | | | weaponry. |
| tools, stone and shaping axes, and creating | | | | The Middle Ages witnessed the dominance of |
| arrows and spears as weapons for survival | | | | double edged swords, metal-headed spears and |
| strategies. But these implements improved over | | | | axes among weapons while arrows and short |
| the years as the technological skills of these | | | | bows were also in vogue. A very interesting fact |
| cultures improved. | | | | that is pretty well known in this regard is that the |
| The development of the metallic tools, | | | | Saxons valued swords very highly to the extent |
| implements and weapons that persisted through | | | | of considering the value of a sword to be |
| the Middle Ages were actually originated during | | | | equivalent to the value of 120 oxen or 15 male |
| the Bronze and Iron Ages and following that, | | | | slaves and thus according great importance and |
| these implements have dramatically altered over | | | | status to a man possessing a sword. Because of |
| time. Eventually, with the appearance of | | | | these weapons being simple to construct and |
| gunpowder in Europe in the early 14th century | | | | easy to wield, throughout the Middle Ages these |
| most of these weapon were rendered useless | | | | weapons remained popular. |
| and the castle too took a backseat to the extent | | | | In spite of the three weapons of the sword, the |
| of becoming redundant. | | | | spear (or lance) and the battle-axe being very |
| The castle was considered to be one of the most | | | | prevalent during the 12th century, yet the |
| formidable weapons of medieval warfare while if | | | | crossbow quickly gained popularity. |
| we consider the smaller weapons, there were also | | | | |