Pole Arms and Melee Weapons

The Dean Castle arms and armour collection includes several examples of hafted arms, maces and flails that would have been used by footmen on the field of battle or for ceremonial purposes. These polearms range from halberds, which are characterised by axe-like blades surmounted by apical spikes, with sharp beaks to the rear, through to spontoons and a partizan. Among the collection donated by the 8th Lord Howard de Walden's son are also maces and flails that range from the 15th to the 17th centuries.

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Beheading axe

Beheading axe, likely dating from the 17th century. Beheading was deemed to be the least painful mod

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Ceremonial tabar

This 19th century tabar - or saddle axe - is of Persian origin. During the 17th and 18th centuries,

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16th Century Battle Axe

Simplistic in design 16th-century battle axe and would have most probably been used in battle rather

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Central European Axe

This is a possible ceremonial axe which would have been used for parades and other special occasions

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Chassepot bayonet

Brass-handled bonet for the Chassepot breechloading rifle, also known by its official title 'Fusil m

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Ranseur 2

The trident-like ranseur, also known as a roncone or runka, is a polearm with a spear tip and cresce

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French halberd

Halberds, also called a halbard or a halbert, are Medieval two-handed polearms that were commonly us

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Sempach type halberd

The halberd is a two-handed polearm weapon that came into prominent use between the 14th and 16th ce

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Processional halberd

Halberds are two-handed polearm weapons that came into prominent use between the 14th and 16th centu

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Swiss halberd 2

The halberd was an important polearm weapon as it enabled infantrymen to contend with soldiers on ho

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War hammer

War hammers were used as a close-combat weapon during the medieval period. They likely gained promin

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Naval boarding pike

Boarding pikes were defensive weapons used prior to the advent of rapid fire pistols against attacki

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German Halberd

Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the halberd was a popular choice in battle weaponry as it was c

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Spontoon 3

Spontoons are polearms that came into prevalent use between the mid-17th century to the early 19th c

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Swiss halberd 3

Halberds such as this Early Modern Swiss example are two-handed polearm weapons that came into promi

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German partisan

Partisans such as this 17th or 18th century German example came into prevalent use as a polearm weap

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Ranseur 1

The ranseur, also known as a roncone, was a polearm similar to a partisan with a three-pronged head

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Halberd 2

Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the halberd was a popular choice in battle weaponry as it was c

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Partisan 4

Partisans such as this late 16th century example came into prevalent use as a polearm weapon during

Swiss halberd 1

Halberds such as this late 16th century Swiss example are two-handed polearm weapons that came into

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Partisan 3

Partisans came into prevalent use as a polearm weapon during the Middle Ages in Europe. The partisan

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Spontoon 2

Spontoons are polearms that came into prevalent use between the mid-17th century to the early 19th c

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Partisan 2

Partisans came into prevalent use as a polearm weapon during the Middle Ages in Europe. The partisan

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Halberd 1

Two-handed polearm weapon that came into prominent use between the 14th and 16th centuries. Halberds

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Replica Jeddart staff

In defence of their Border region dwelling, the townspeople of Jedburgh (pronounced 'Jeddart' in Sco

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Bayonet for Winchester rifle

A bayonet is a knife designed to be fit on the muzzle of a firearm, converting the range rifle into

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Replica Lochaber axe

This object is a replica of a Lochaber axe made by Thomas Yeudall, a master swordmaker of The Claymo

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Indian axe, possibly a tabarzin

This 19th century axe is of Indian origin, and is composed entirely of metal. The axe head features

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Battle axe

Wooden hafted 17th centiry battle axe of likely Hungarian origin. The steel axe head has a pronounce

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Five-flanged mace

Maces and other blunt instruments were common sights on the Medieval and Early Modern battlefield, b

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Firefighter's parade axe

This object is a 19th century axe that would have been used during parades or guards to honour firef

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Swiss halberd 4

Halberds are a two-handed polearm weapon with an axe blade topped by a long, slim thrusting spike an

Small parade axe

This object is a late 16th century ceremonial axe which would have been used for parades and other s

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Mace

While we may imagine sharp-edged, heavy swords as the standard battle armament of the Medieval era,

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