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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