Glaive - a bizarre but effective combination of sword, spike and shaft

The glaive is a cold pole weapon of the piercing-cutting type, extremely popular in Western Europe in the period from the 14th to the 16th centuries. Analogues of this weapon can easily be found in other regions of the world: the Chinese guan dao, the Japanese naginata, the Russian sovnya, the fighting scythe, beloved by Polish and Ukrainian peasants. A close relative of the glaive is the kuza, which has a slightly different blade shape.

This weapon consisted of a long shaft (up to 1.5 meters) and a massive tip with a double-sided sharpening, which could reach 60 cm in length and 7 cm in width. So the total length of the glaive could exceed two meters. The shaft was often covered with metal tape or covered with stripes to further protect it from being cut by the enemy. A large number of varieties of glaives are known, which differed in the size and shape of the blade; some glaives did not have a tip at all. It was possible to stab with this weapon, but the main purpose of the glaive was still to deliver accented slashing blows.

A characteristic feature of the glaive is the presence of a spike on the butt of the blade. It could extend from the blade perpendicularly or be parallel to it, extended towards the tip of the weapon. With the help of this element, the enemy’s weapon was captured or moved to the side, and the spike could also deliver strong accented blows, effective against opponents protected by armor. The underside of the shaft was also usually bound with iron, but not sharpened. It served as a counterweight and was sometimes used to finish off wounded opponents.

It should be noted that the classification of these weapons is quite confusing and ambiguous. Some authors classify it as a halberd, others identify it as a separate type or consider it a further development of the combat scythe. However, a similar situation is typical for all pole weapons.

In recent years, there has been an increase in interest in these weapons. The glaive appears more and more often in films, computer games and on the pages of books. True, such popularity only increased the confusion around this weapon. The imaginations of scriptwriters and designers gave rise to absolutely fantastic types of glaives that never existed in nature. What is a “terrible jagged glaive” of incomprehensible shape and even more incomprehensible purpose worth? Or double-bladed types of these weapons, which also never existed in reality. And there is also a throwing glaive, reminiscent of a giant Japanese shuriken. It is capable of not only killing dozens of opponents, but also returning to its owner like an Australian boomerang.

History of origin

It is impossible to clearly track the time of the appearance of the flail.
Herodotus also pointed out in his writings that in the 6th-4th centuries BC the Scythians (they lived in the south of Eastern Europe and Asia up to Mongolia) used whips as weapons in battle. Thus, before the flail appeared, it remained to attach a bone or stone weight to the end of the whip. It has been established for certain by historians and archaeologists that the Eastern European variants of the flail originated from its various Khazar variants. Among these nomadic tribes who lived in the lower and middle reaches of the Volga, the use of combat flails was noted in the 4th-9th centuries AD.

Since nomads constantly attacked neighboring states, it is not surprising that the flail spread in the 10th century in Ancient Rus', which was constantly subject to raids from the south.

Residents of Rus' appreciated this first strike weapon, and soon it began to be used as an auxiliary weapon for horsemen and foot warriors. Of course, the technique of working with a flail was changed in accordance with the characteristics of the fighting of our ancient ancestors.

The appearance of these bladed weapons in Central Europe is associated not only with the raids of nomads, although there were plenty of them, but also with the migration of peoples during the Middle Ages in general. Here we should recall the resettlement of the Volga Bulgars to the territory of modern Bulgaria, and the Hungarians from the Urals to the territory of modern Hungary.

These peoples were familiar with the technique of fighting with flails, and in their new place of residence they remained faithful to their previous traditions. Given the short European distances, these weapons quickly spread, first across neighboring countries, and then throughout Europe.

Here it should be remembered that the European armies of the 10th-15th centuries had armored and invulnerable knights as their main striking force.

The pinnacle of the evolution of this weapon in Europe was the appearance of the morning star (morning star), in which the striking part was a small ball with spikes.

One should not think that such weapons were common only in Europe - since the idea of ​​​​attaching a striking part to a handle on a belt or chain is very simple, various versions of these weapons appeared almost everywhere where people lived.

It is worth noting the difference between weapons created from tools of production, such as a flail. Combat flails (nunchucks), unlike flails, had a shortened flexible coupling and a longer handle and striking part, which radically changed the fighting technique.

Rohatina, sulitsa and sovnya. Special varieties of Russian spears

Classification issues

It is known that in the Middle Ages and later, the development of weapons in Rus' was a constant and continuous process. New weapon designs appeared regularly, incl. polearms, which then became widespread and gave warriors advantages over their enemies.

For obvious reasons, most of the copies and other weapons disappeared without a trace, but the surviving samples help archaeologists and historians restore the overall picture and its individual elements. The history of the spear in Rus' is constantly being updated with new details, but the general paths of its development have long been defined and well studied. There is also a classification of spear tips used in different periods.

For example, in the work of A.N. Kirpichnikov’s “Ancient Russian Weapons”, the known spearheads are divided into seven types with several subtypes. One type includes weapons with a similar design and outline, and the subtypes depend mainly on the size of the product. A division by period was also applied, which made it possible to classify finds from the 9th to the 13th centuries.

Certain types of tips differ markedly from other representatives of the classification, which is why they can be of great interest. In addition, in the history of the Russian spear there are some controversial issues that should also be considered.

Weighting course

Perhaps the most famous type of spear in Rus' is the slingshot. The first mentions in sources and archaeological finds of this kind date back to the middle of the 12th century. Subsequently, the slingshot became widespread in infantry and cavalry, and also became a hunting weapon. In the latter role, it continued to be used almost until the beginning of the last century.

At its core, the spear was an enlarged, strengthened and weighted spear. It was made on the basis of a durable shaft of greater thickness and a length comparable to the height of a person. The feather of such a spear most often had a laurel leaf shape; the length of the tip could reach 500-600 mm. There were also special requirements for the strength of the bushing. The finished product was noticeably larger than other copies, and also several times heavier.

Due to the reinforced design, the spear could deliver more powerful piercing and slashing blows. Such weapons were distinguished by greater penetrating power, thanks to which they could be used both against infantry and in the fight against cavalry. The Russian army began to use spears almost immediately after their appearance - in the 12th century. The share of such weapons in the total number of copies was constantly changing, but was always quite large. The last mention of the use of slingshots in the army dates back to the 17th century. The further development of advanced weapons reduced the role of copies.

SPEARS

A spear

They began their journey with the Scythians, and were considered cavalry. They had a blade. They were used in hand-to-hand combat and were also a throwing weapon.

When a spear was used by a rider on horseback, it was held with one hand. It was customary to strike from top to bottom. In case of a miss, this position made it possible not to lose balance and not be left without a steed. The blows were still struck with a blade.

The Romans, Persians and Greeks preferred to leave these tactics unchanged.

During the reign of Alexander the Great, causing damage with a blade received the greatest development. To facilitate the use of copies, modernization decisions were made. They began to be attached to the saddle using straps made of leather. A little later they were made more fragile.

The next round of modernization was the burning of the blade. Firing made it stronger and at the same time dull. Some time later, a blade was made from stone, and hunting for larger animals began.

Over time, modernization also affected the tip. They began to produce it in leaf- or diamond-shaped form.

The spear has become extremely widespread both in the army and among civilians, thanks to its cheapness and ease of manufacture and use.

The spears caused great damage only to opponents who did not have good defense.

Versatility of the weapon

The glaive, a weapon whose photo can be viewed in our article, was considered a universal combat weapon. It made it possible to fight effectively both in close formation and when the formation fell apart.

In a closed formation, the glaive was used to deliver mainly piercing blows or slashing blows from top to bottom. When the formation broke up, the warrior had the opportunity to use a huge arsenal of techniques, which consisted not only of strikes with the upper part of the gleevia, but also with the middle and lower parts.

Using the middle part, the warrior could use the section of the shaft that was between his hands to strike the enemy in the neck or face. Using the lower part, the warrior tried to knock the opponent down with an additional hook, which was often equipped with this element of the weapon.

Manufacturing materials and device

The flail is a percussion-crushing weapon consisting of a striking part, suspended on a flexible belt from the handle or without it.

Only morningsterns have some variety in appearance - this weapon was often used as an additional weapon by knightly cavalry and therefore differed for the better from the weapons of commoners.

Since the device of the flail is very simple, we will reduce it to one list:

• lanyard or extinguisher - an additional device for comfortable grip into which the hand is threaded. The material used was animal skin;
• handle (handle) - a device for gripping, the most common version was made for gripping with one hand, but there were also those that allowed you to work with both one and two hands. The most popular material was wood, but there were also metal ones. Often, for ease of carrying, flails were made without a handle; in this case, it was replaced by a damper - a loop through which the hand was threaded;
• connecting link (belt) - a flexible part designed to connect the handle with the striking part. There are not many options for materials: rope, leather belt, metal chain;
• flail (weight) - the beating part of the weapon, made of bone, stone, various metals, and occasionally wood was used. Often the load had convex spikes or ribs to increase the traumatic effect. In addition, the morning stars used by nobles were often decorated with family coats of arms and engraving.

Falchion - truth and myths

There are several myths associated with this weapon that are only half true. For example, it is widely believed that the falchion was always made of low-grade steel and was never used by wealthy nobles. The second myth says that only mercenaries and robbers fought with the falchions. In fact, initially these weapons were of really low quality, but often mercenaries who used these blades in battles managed to become elite warriors, and some could later even become knights.

The second fact, which suggests that noble knights did not disdain these blades, is the documents that have survived to this day, which describe in detail the technique of wielding a falchion. These documents were found in the libraries of ancient knightly families in Europe. According to them, combat techniques were studied from the age of 7. At the age of 14, the future knight already mastered weapons perfectly and began to study various secret blows and techniques that were never used in public duels.

Although the falchion remained a common weapon that was not made famous in poems about knights, its contribution to the history of the Middle Ages should not be underestimated. From documentary sources it can be found out that the feudal militia and mercenaries, who together made up the majority of the medieval army, were armed with precisely this weapon, and it was even more popular than the axe. It is interesting that in Rus' these blades were practically unknown, since the ax reigned there, which eventually gave way to the saber.

Author of the article:

ULFHED

I am interested in martial arts with weapons and historical fencing. I write about weapons and military equipment because it is interesting and familiar to me. I often learn a lot of new things and want to share these facts with people who are interested in military issues.

FAQ

Where can I find a book on blacksmithing?

In any bookcase. You can buy it in the purchase mode (“Sorting by purpose / Wardrobes and chests of drawers”) or use what’s in the castle. Then you need to “View” its contents. When the priest says that the book you need is not in the closet, you can buy it in the village shop.

What material should the first sword be made of: mithril or obsidian?

From the one that is more in the blacksmith's luggage. In the end, he will still make a sword from an alloy of these two metals.

How to test the sharpness of a blade using a whetstone?

Click on the sword in your luggage and select the “Sharpen Blade” option.

How do I create two written copies of benefits?

Using the desk, which can be purchased in the purchase mode ("Sorted by purpose / Household / Professional") or use the desk in the castle.

How to send a request to the Great Inscription?

Using a mailbox.

How to learn the ancient Pektarik language?

With the help of the priest's archive.

How to research metallurgy as a blacksmith?

With the help of the priest's archive. For example, standing in a city square.

How to prepare a divine catalyst?

In a forge or a regular hearth, there will be a glitchy option without a signature.

Which sword is better to choose from the two options at the very end?

It doesn’t matter, the hero won’t get it anyway.

Basic information

One of the most proven methods of connecting two parts is considered to be a tongue-and-groove connection. This method of fastening wood products is the most widespread. It is used to fasten parts of window frames, doorways, various furniture elements, and the walls of wooden boxes. Each element of such products has a specially made tenon (or several pieces) or a groove (several grooves).

The types of main connections of parts made of wood are defined in GOST 9330-76. This document defines the following characteristics of such fastening of wooden parts:

• rules for abbreviation (abbreviation) of various compounds;
• drawings showing the appearance;
• permissible dimensions of each element;
• the procedure and rules for determining the size of each element;
• expressions for calculating the dimensions of the required cutting tool;
• formula for calculating the strength of assembled elements;
• inspection procedure and strength testing.

GOST 9330-76 Basic connections of parts made of wood and wood materials. Types and sizes

1 file 285.82 KB

According to this standard, all connections are divided into the following categories:

• corner (end and middle);
• box (mainly belongs to the corner category);
• along the edge;
• the so-called “on the mustache” length.

For each of these categories, the standard has its own abbreviation (short designation). This marking consists of two capital letters of the Cyrillic alphabet and one number. For example, UK-2 means that we are talking about a connection with a double open end-to-end tenon, UK-9 is a “mental” connection with a plug-in non-through round tenon. The entire list is set out in more detail in the text of the adopted standard.

Any type is accompanied by a detailed drawing. Each of them shows frontal and profile projections indicating dimensions, formulas for calculating each element, and finished results. To obtain a strong connection, the standard defines tolerances that must be observed in the manufacture of each element. The parameters of the corner tenon (its length, pitch and bluntness) are given in detail. Based on the results presented, the guest developed recommendations for choosing the necessary cutting tools. Separate references are made to other documents (standards) that determine by what means each of the listed products must be secured.

Types of finger joints

Today, a wide variety of such methods for fastening wooden parts has been developed. All types of tenon joints are classified according to the following criteria:

• number of spines;
• their form;
• eye depth (through or not);

According to the first sign, tenon joints are: single, double, multiple. It determines the number of fasteners produced. The main forms of the spike are:

• rectangular (has different lengths, pitch and apex angle);
• round;
• triangular;
• so-called “dovetail” (one-sided or two-sided);
• gear (with different angles of inclination);
• angular.

The choice of shape and size depends on the material used and the level of load that the entire structure must withstand. A tenon joint with many rectangular tenons has become widespread. Its main advantage is considered to be ease of manufacture and the ability to use it for any wood.

Polar "cousins"

These examples of medieval weapons are so far removed from their ancestors that, perhaps, only the presence of a shaft makes them similar to their ancestors.

Lucerne hammer

It is very similar in appearance to a halberd, but the spike-hook (or hammer) on the butt is usually larger in size and bent down, and the ax handle is replaced by a hammer head. The firing pin is very narrow and, as a rule, not flat, but made in the form of three or four teeth to prevent slipping upon impact. Thanks to its small impact surface and strong swing, the Lucerne hammer is capable of punching holes in any armor. Compared to the halberd, the Lucerne hammer is somewhat less effective, because its firing pin plunges into the entire length of the enemy’s body and, as a result, can become firmly stuck and temporarily disarm its owner. On the other hand, if a halberd can slip off an enemy’s shield or helmet with an oblique blow, the Lucerne hammer does not have this drawback - if a hit occurs, then this hit is guaranteed to inflict a mortal wound on the enemy.

The length of the Lucen hammer reaches 2 meters.

Klevets (minted, bec de corbin)

Mistakenly called a “reed,” this version of the Lucerne hammer is distinguished by a “spear” tip (but more often without it at all), a wider striker and the replacement of the hook blade on the butt with a second striker, but not serrated, but sharp. The Bec de Corbin is shorter and more suitable for hand-to-hand combat, and also, unlike the Lutzernhammer, can be used as a non-combatant weapon, but as an individual weapon.

The following samples are classified by different classifications as either one or another “parental” type. To avoid creating confusion, I give their names separated by a dash.

Mower-guizarma

“Mutant”, combining the properties of a mower and a guizarma - from the first the shape of the blade was inherited, from the second - a hook on the butt sharpened on the inside.

Glaive Guizarma

Another attempt to create a universal weapon by combining two “specialists”. The blade of the glaive has become more massive, and the already familiar hook is attached to the butt. The result of the work was a good replacement for a halberd - inferior in efficiency, but widespread and easy to use.

Guizarme-Voulge

Again a “station wagon”, bristling with blades in all directions. The Vulge blade is complemented by a grappling hook, giving it a full range of capabilities - from slashing and piercing blows to the ability to effectively fight cavalry.

Bill-guizarma

Most of all it resembles an open Swiss Army knife on a shaft. The creators of this weapon were very inventive - judge for yourself, in one design everything that can be “squeezed out” of a polearm weapon is combined: a spear tip, a hook, transverse blades for blocking enemy weapons, a wavy surface for inflicting fatal wounds... All this had to be paid for weight - for bill-guizarms it is significantly higher than the weight of any of the types of progenitor weapons.

SLAVIC WEAPONS

SPEAR OF SULIC

Sulitsa is a variant of the Slavic spear. Its dimensions did not reach the size of a standard spear, but it was larger than a bow arrow. Such spears had a wide range of shapes, ranging from diamond to conical.

According to archaeological finds, the length of one such spear was about a meter. It was also customary to collect them in a heap, forming so-called quivers.

The sulitsa was used only in the initial stages of the battle. In terms of combat effectiveness, it can be compared to a heavy dart. It found its application among horsemen and infantry.

ROHATYNA

It is a Russian invention. The average weight of such a weapon is one kilogram, the tip ranged in size from thirty to seventy centimeters.

This type of equipment found its use when hunting large species of animals, as well as in battle when defending against horsemen. Over time, it was replaced with more effective peaks.

OWL

Sovnya

Sovnya is the peaceful prototype of the glaive. It consists of a shaft and a blade with one blade mounted on it vertically. They began to use it as one of the types of weapons due to the lack of better weapon options.

The first mention appears in the twelfth century. Although it was not particularly distinguished by its quality, it became widespread during the period of struggle with the Poles and Swedes. The material at that time was very cheap, and manufacturing did not cause any difficulties. However, by the seventeenth century, the quality of the material improved, allowing it to be used in officer circles.

BERDYSH

Berdysh

Berdysh is a piercing and cutting weapon. Its appearance is recorded around the fifteenth century. It has a long shaft. In terms of universal properties, it surpassed the ax and pike. Used by guards and shooting troops. If necessary, it could be used instead of a stand.

It was inexpensive and easy to use. In connection with these properties, a decree was issued on the storage of berdysh among peasants.

The Polish version of the berdysh had smaller dimensions, up to 1.2 meters, and weighing from two to three kilograms.

Reduced modifications were used in service with horsemen and mounted archers.

Combat and impact characteristics

As a rule, glaives were used together with pikes. The combination of these two types of weapons provided a fairly reliable defense against cavalry. The piercing properties were absolutely secondary. Moreover, in this they were inferior to other weapons more suitable for the role of a “classic” spear - pikes and halberds.

In the ranks of the army, the glaive was exclusively a chopping weapon. The main purpose of the glaives was to fight against a heavily armored enemy, and not to deliver quick thrusts into their relatively lightly protected surroundings. Glaives and pikes in the arsenal of a single detachment, when used correctly, left no chance of success for any heavy enemy forces - both mounted and on foot. At the same time, it was the glaive carriers who were placed in the most threatened positions.

In the event of a breakthrough in such a formation, the glaive made it possible to carry out many attacking and defensive techniques, which, given the availability of free space for experienced warriors, only enhanced their effectiveness. But having a significant advantage in the range of destruction, when fighting at distances in close proximity to himself, an infantryman with a glaive was more vulnerable.

The figurine of a warrior with a glaive reflects the proportions of this weapon

WEAPONS USED IN ANCIENT CHINA

The main weapons in China in ancient times were large combat sabers (combat sword). Such weapons borrowed the best qualities from various types of combat weapons such as: sword, axes, circle, poles, spear. If you translate the name of the weapon from old Chinese, it will look like this: At the beginning, the guan dao was used as a chopping weapon; it was used only for chopping blows delivered in a vertical manner. Over time, the methods of causing damage have expanded dramatically. The peak use of weapons occurred during the Northern and Southern dynasties, respectively.

The blade is most famous in Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

The length of the blade could reach from seventeen to seventy centimeters. It also had a curved blade. This weapon had a modification in the form of a spike-piercer on the butt of the wavy-shaped blade. It was necessary when parrying attacks inflicted by the enemy.

The production of this type of blade was carried out using three layers of steel.

The average weight of such a weapon could reach two kilograms.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages and disadvantages of the glaive were due to its characteristic properties as a polearm. Among the most important advantages:

• Increased range of use in combat;
• A diverse arsenal of possibilities for repelling and striking.

The main disadvantages of the glaive:

• Heavy weight of the weapon;
• The shaft's vulnerability to breaking or interception by the enemy.

In general, the glaive was considered a high-quality and very effective weapon for a physically developed and well-trained infantryman.

How does the law relate to flails?

In the last century, brushes began to appear in a simplified version, which did not have a handle and represented a weight on a chain, or a piece of watering hose with a large nut at the end. Such options became especially widely used in criminal disputes that began after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Its production, storage and use is illegal. But only forensic examination can determine the characteristics of a weapon, therefore, morningstars certified as souvenir weapons are not such.

But if the examination considers that the presented flail is a bladed weapon, its manufacture and storage will be punishable under Art. 223 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

General information about falchion

The falchion was a very popular weapon among European mercenaries, for whom the sword was too expensive, but the reforged peasant cleaver was quite affordable. It is for this reason that images of falchions are often found on medieval frescoes. Due to its low cost, weapons such as the falchion, more similar to a saber or sword, were popular even among poor knights.

The history of the existence of this weapon can be traced back to approximately the 10th century, thanks to numerous finds. The following are considered the most popular:

• Falchion from Thorpe. This weapon dates back to the 13th century and is an example of a typical weapon of ordinary warriors of that time. Its thickness was no more than 2.5 mm, which suggests that although it is a sword in appearance, its characteristics are a typical cleaver;
• Library Oxford 1340 type. This weapon dates back to the 14th century and was found near Oxford.

In literature and art

A man with a glaive in a quilt and chaplain

Creativity of Nick Perumov

The glaive is mentioned as the favorite weapon of the protagonist of Nick Perumov’s pentalogy “Keeper of Swords” Kara Laeda, aka the warrior of the Gray League Fess, aka the necromancer Tawny Owl. It should be noted that the glaive of Fess is not a typical representative of glaives: firstly, it is two-bladed (with two chopping tips at both ends of the shaft); secondly, it is short and very light (unlike a real glaive, which was a heavy weapon, not at all intended for filigree fencing); thirdly, Fess uses it without problems in basements and caves, which is uncharacteristic for long polearms; fourthly, it is possible to repel an arrow fired at point-blank range with a heavy long glaive only by pure chance; fifthly, the glaive of Fess was detachable, that is, it was divided into two separate short swords.

Because of the creativity of Nick Perumov, many imagine the glaive to be exclusively two-bladed, whereas in reality there were almost no two-bladed weapons with blades at both ends of the shaft.

Chinese iconography

The glaive (guan dao, yanyuedao, dadao) is a constant attribute in the images of Guan Yu, a military leader of the Three Kingdoms era (III century).

Rules for using the glaive

The glaive served as a very versatile pole weapon, allowing the infantryman to act both in close formation and separately. The main advantage of the glaive (as well as any weapon with a long shaft) was its large radius of destruction. It was not easy for an enemy with a sword, ax or mace to approach an infantryman armed with a glaive in battle.

In a closed formation, it was mainly used to deliver cutting blows from top to bottom, and if the fighter had free space, then the arsenal of his technical techniques increased significantly. In this case, the enemy could be struck with the middle and lower part of the shaft, or use circular strikes with the blade.

The combat potential of the glaive was best revealed in the presence of large free space. This made this weapon very convenient for elite guard units that guarded the most important people in the monarchies of that time. But solving such problems required such guards to have a high level of physical readiness and special fencing skills.

Physical training

Since the glaive was a very heavy and powerful weapon, its possession required serious physical training. Suffice it to say that the length of the glaive was at least 1.8-2 meters. The massive metal elements of this weapon gave it an average weight of 2.5 to 3.5 kilograms.

Fencing Basics

Due to its mass, the glaive was not particularly suitable for skilled fencing. But special techniques for working with polearms were part of the mandatory knowledge of almost any more or less trained infantryman. For experienced warriors, each special type of glaive pommel allowed the use of certain fighting techniques, which were honed during regular training. Due to this, the technique of wielding a glaive was extremely diverse both in attack and defense.

JAPANESE WEAPONS

YARI

Yari

Yari piercing weapon. It has the appearance of a shaft complemented by sharpening of the blade on both sides. The time of its appearance is considered to be approximately the fifteenth century. Such piercing weapons existed in two versions: having one bladed blade; having a blade blade in two copies with different sizes. There was also protection for the hands in the form of a guard.

Yari with one blade was called katakamayari, two bladed, compared to protazan.

HOKO

Hoko

It is considered the most ancient of Japanese weapons. It can't be called very long. The size is only twenty-five centimeters. Has an iron tip or hook. Used during cavalry attacks. The beginning of use is considered to be the twelfth or thirteenth century. It was considered relatively long. The dimensions of the metal blade range from fifteen centimeters to one meter. Hoko is a piercing and cutting weapon.

NAGINATA

Naginata

The same applies to Japanese weapons. The date of creation is considered to be 782-1184. There were no size restrictions. It all depended on the owner and his preferences. It was a chopping and cutting tool. Naginatas were used by both women and men.

However, it was believed that this was a female weapon. The reasons for this opinion are the ability to contain the enemy at a certain distance, which makes all his physical advantages useless. The best example of the use of military weapons by a girl is considered to be the use of samurai girls. From 1603 to 1868, this type of weapon finally lost its popularity among men, and was “conquered” by the samurai. Often the naginata was left to daughters as a dowry, which was very honorable. However, samurai were very rare on the battlefield. Such women only defended their own homes.

Design Features

Glaives had a huge number of varieties, which differed primarily in the shape of their pommel.

The history of the name of the glaive and the meaning of this word

Glaive

Glaive name

comes from French.
Almost all researchers trace the etymology of this word to Lat. gladius
or to the Celtic cladivos, meaning "sword".
However, all early English and French references to a glaive imply a spear. It is in this meaning that the word glaive
appears in the English language from approximately the 14th to the mid-16th centuries.
glaive
its current meaning since the 15th century.
Around the same time, the word glaive

glaive
is most often used in modern French

Since the 1980s the word glaive

acquired another meaning and began to mean a throwing weapon, similar to the shuriken of Japanese ninjas, only larger in size.
This fictional weapon is often endowed with the ability to return to the thrower, like a boomerang. In this capacity, glaives appeared on the pages of fantasy literature and in feature films (For example, the five-petalled glaive from the film Krull), in the computer games Dark Sector, Torchlight 2 and Dungeon Siege II ( en:Dungeon Siege II

What was it and where did it get its name from?

A glaive is an ordinary sword sharpened on one side (such as a wide, 5-7 cm falchion) from 40 to 60 centimeters long with a spike extending from the butt.

The sword was mounted on a handle no more than one and a half meters long. A pointed tip was placed on the other end of the shaft. Sometimes, instead of a tip, a ball was made for counterweight. The double-bladed glaive was used so rarely that almost nothing is known about it. Historians strongly doubt their real existence.

The spike could run either parallel to the main blade or move away at an angle.

They tried to protect the shaft from being cut by wrapping it with a metal ribbon or decorating it with rivets.

Glaives had a wide variety of tip shapes. It was also possible to make them with additional blades. In total, about a hundred modifications are known. The east had its own characteristics.

The Japanese naginata and the Chinese guan dao were not glaives. They just look like her. Kuza and sovnya are also very similar to the glaive. The first did not have a spike and was smaller in size, while the second was distinguished by a single-edged tip.

During the time glaives were used, they remained quite rare weapons. The manufacture of a glaive required the use of high quality steel, and this greatly increased the cost of the final product and was not affordable for everyone.

For example, low-grade iron was allowed to be used for berdysh, and their production in Rus' was put on stream.

Therefore, only well-trained warriors were armed with glaives as part of the so-called knightly spear.

There are different points of view regarding the name. Most philologists consider the word glaive (glefia) to be a French derivative of the Latin gladius (sword). Other researchers rightly point to earlier references (before the 14th century), where a glaive in both French and English refers to a spear.

Fictional weapons, such as the Ephene glaive, which have appeared in our time thanks to cinema and computer games, have nothing to do with real weapons.

History of origin

The main combat skill of the Egyptian warrior was mastery of weapons: sword, spear, battle ax. A soldier skillfully wielding weapons was a dangerous adversary. Before the New Kingdom, the army was weakly armed with spears and wooden shields. A little later, bronze axes appeared.

Starting from the reign of the 18th dynasty, reforms were carried out in the troops. Warriors began to actively use horses and war chariots. A kind of chopping and cutting weapon appeared.

Advance detachments, armed with an unusually shaped ax sword, inflicted deep cutting injuries on the enemy, practically incurable, given the level of development of medicine at that time.

The shape of the khopesh sword was partially borrowed from the Hykos, who invaded Egypt and conquered part of its lands during the reign of the XIII-XVII dynasties. The Hykos armies fought with curved swords, which were countered by the battle axes of the Egyptians.

The defeats of the army, as well as significant losses in close combat, forced Egyptian commanders to think about more effective weapons. The Egyptian army began to transform. In addition to war chariots, sickle-shaped swords appeared. Such a decisive step in updating the ammunition brought positive results.

The modernized Egyptian army not only recaptured previously lost territory, but also conquered new lands.

The Egyptian sword khopesh became one of the symbols of the military successes of the New Kingdom. It is worth adding that most of the Egyptian regiments were formed from peasants who did not possess combat skills.

In addition, khopesh was made of bronze, and this metal was brought to Egypt and they tried to use it sparingly. Mostly, sickle-shaped swords were used by the elite assault troops, the palace security service and the pharaoh's personal security service.

Combining the two types of weapons increased the characteristics of the new sword. Historians are inclined to this opinion. However, there is a version about the origin of khopesh from the sickle-shaped Assyrian blade - sappar.

It had an internal sharpening and could be used as an agricultural tool. But the first path of evolution of the ax sword looks more plausible.

The shape of the blade will remain unchanged for many centuries and will serve as a prototype for the creation of weapons in the armies of some ancient states. For example, a small part of the soldiers of Alexander the Great had swords - kopis, with slightly curved blades and similar to the ancient Egyptian sword of the New Kingdom of Egypt.

During the reign of Xerxes from 486 BC. uh, his Persian army was equipped with curved blades.

Glaive - an ancient weapon, unique and dangerous

Modern historians and art historians are of great interest in ancient weapons. One of them is the glaive. This weapon is also called glevia. Glaive (glaive) is a type of cold polearm piercing-cutting weapon that was used for close combat by infantrymen in European countries. Glevia as part of the equipment of infantrymen was very common and popular.

Receiving an item

Can only drop from Guardians of the Ancient. Cannot be obtained from an Orb of FortuneOrb of FortuneStack Size: 20Upgrades a normal item to a random rarityRight click this item then left click a normal item to apply itShift click to unstack.

Restrictions on receipt in the regions

This item can be obtained in the following areas:

• The heights of the hassle
• Halls of delirium
• Islands of Ruin
• Madness Manor
• Wasteland of madness
• Desert of Madness
• The abyss of loneliness
• River of Hysteria
• Ruins of Despair
• Warehouse of mockery
• Vaults of Madness
• Pits of Sorrow

This item can drop from the following monsters:

• Eradicator
• Redeemer
• Enslaver
• Oppressor

Used to obtain

This item is used to obtain the following items:

Advantages and disadvantages of falchions

Due to the fact that this weapon was very popular, many examples of falchions of various types have been found. The advantages of this weapon were as follows:

• Ease of manufacture;
• The possibility of converting an ordinary peasant cleaver into a falchion by reforging and changing the shape of the blade tip;
• The shifted center of gravity and the large weight of the weapon made it possible to deliver fairly strong blows;
• Maneuverability and efficiency in confined spaces;
• Since the weapon was held with one hand, the other remained free for a shield or a second weapon.

Despite a lot of advantages, the falchion also had several serious disadvantages:

• While a sword could be used to thrust, a falchion of any of the basic types was a purely slashing weapon. They could only stab an enemy unprotected by armor;
• If a warrior fought one-on-one with an enemy armed with a sword, then to win he had to be much more experienced, since it was much more difficult to deliver a fatal blow with a short weapon;
• The need for a wide range of movements to strike greatly reduced the effectiveness of the falchion in dense formation.