The Spear

The Spear

Facts and interesting information about Medieval Weapons, Armor and arms,
specifically, the Spear

Description of the Medieval Spear
The weapons used the Medieval times include the Medieval Spear. The description of the Medieval Spear which provides basic facts and information about the weapon is as follows:

• Medieval Spear - This weapon dates back to antiquity and was used for hunting and war, consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a sharpened head
• Used as a thrusting weapon or as a missile
• The javelin was a type of spear used by the ancient Greeks and the pilum was the name of the throwing spear which was used by the Romans
  • An Angon was a throwing spear used during the Medieval times and era. The angon was a 6 foot long spear with a slender iron neck featuring a barbed head. The angon was essentially identical to the Roman pilum
• Although often used as a long-shafted projectile weapon it was designed principally for thrusting, although many Medieval Spear were also capable of slashing blows.
• The shape of the blade razor-sharp and pointed
• The Medieval Spear weapon could be mounted on either a long shaft or a short shaft
• A blow could apply tremendous force
• The weapon was versatile - cheap to produce and easy to use requiring limited training
• Type or group of weapons - Polearms - The spear is the most common type of pole weapon. These weapons consisted of variations of poles or shafts of varying lengths with different 'heads' including spikes, hammers, Medieval Spear, axe etc.
• The spear eventually developed into the bayonet but it was also the weapon which developed into the lance

The Medieval times were an extremely violent era in history featuring battles in both Europe and the Holy Land when the crusades, and the crusaders who fought them, were numerous. Feudal Lords and Knights and their men at arms used such weapons as the Medieval Spear in different types of warfare. The quest for power led to invasions of lands and territories which had to be fought for. Siege warfare, waged to win a castle or a walled town or city, was a frequent occurrence during the Medieval times. Warfare during the Medieval era called for a variety of weapon expertise. Knights and men-at-arms (who consisted of foot soldiers or archers) used different types of weapons. The Medieval Spear was predominantly used by a Foot Soldier. The weapons used were dictated according to status and position. The weapons, armor and horse of the Knight were extremely expensive - the fighting power of just one knight was worth 10 ordinary soldiers.

Medieval Spear Training
Skill in the use of Medieval weapons and understanding the strategy of Medieval Warfare was necessary and a played a vital part in Medieval life. The training required by a Foot Soldier to use the Medieval Spear :

• Soldiers were trained in various manoeuvres to Strike, Thrust, Slash and Takedown their enemies by effective use of the spear
• Training method - The training method practised in the use of the spear was based on strength and accuracy in hitting the target
• A "hit" was scored in Medieval weapons training by making contact with a defined target area
• A soldier could be trained to use a spear within a matter of weeks

Making of the Medieval Spear
This Medieval weapon was made by a Blacksmith. The materials required to make the spear were:

• Iron
• Steel

Langets were added to strengthen this type of weapon. These were metal strips riveted to the the shaft of polearms to reinforce the torque against the head, and to provide protection to the potentially weak point between the weapon-head and the shaft. Blacksmiths are usually associated with making weapons in a village smithy but Medieval blacksmiths were also an important part of a fighting army, making new weapons and repairing and the maintenance of old weapons.

Medieval Weapons and Armor - The Spear
The Medieval Life and Times website provides interesting facts, history and information about the weapons, armor and battles in Medieval history, including the Spear, which scatter the history books. The Medieval Times Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts about the fascinating subject of the lives of the soldiers and knights who lived during the historical period of the Middle Ages. The content of this article on Spear provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and research for schools, colleges and homework for history courses and history coursework.