halberds

Medieval guard weapons

Halberds is the plural of halberd, a pole weapon that combines an axe blade with a spear point, often with a hook on the back.

Used by European infantry from the 14th through 17th centuries, halberds could hack, thrust, and pull mounted soldiers from horses.

They survive today mainly as ceremonial weapons carried by guards: The Swiss Guard still carry halberds at the Vatican.

weaponry

polearm

Long-shafted combat weapon

spearPole with sharp point
pikeLong battlefield spear
billhookCurved vegetation-cutting blade

glaive · pollaxe · shaft · haft · hook · spike · cleaving · thrusting · infantry · footsoldier

ceremonial

guard

Watchful defensive attention

sentryGuard on duty
VaticanPapal city-state
Swiss GuardPapal security force

procession · parade · regalia · pageantry · livery · uniform · display · honor guard · palace · escort

historical

15th century

The 1400s

16th centuryThe 1500s
pikemenSoldiers armed with long-shafted weapons
formationCreation or arrangement

battlefield · siege · cavalry · dismounting · armor-piercing · European · Holy Roman Empire · Burgundian · mercenary · condottiero

Categories

arms and armorswords, shields, helmets, daggers, axes
medieval warfareknights, siege warfare, castle, castle siege, siege
medieval armsswords, shields, axes, spears, bows
East Asian Warfarebattles, warriors, soldiers, generals, infantry formations
heraldic armsshields, eagles, lions, crowns, banners
infantryfoot soldiers, foot soldier, rifleman, riflemen, infantryman

Opposites

weapon range

halberdsdaggers

Short double-edged blades

knives · dirks · stilettos · brass knuckles · shortswords

ranged vs melee

halberdsbows

Respectful forward bends

crossbows · longbows · muskets · firearms · pistols

war vs peace

halberdsplowshares

Blade cutting soil

pruning hooks · scythes · sickles · olive branches · farming implements

Family

halberd, halberdier, halberdiers

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated PG