Medieval Weapons of Warfare

Aketon - Worn by foot soldiers, it a patted jacket also used as an inner jacket worn by knights under chain mail to slow down the force from the blows of swords.

Axe - at the edge of a wooden shaft is a sharp metal peace.

Ball & Chain -A spiked ball attached to a short chain to a shaft, the handle of the wooden pole or club.

Ballista - the giant crossbow that fired large arrows at the castle walls during sieges.

Barbican - a wall around the castle gate.

Baron - Highest-ranking noble that governed the king’s land for the king.

Bascinet - a helmet that was close fitted to the head made with round surfaces to deflect sword blows. It could also have a visor attached to it.

Battering ram - A beam sometimes made up of the trunk of a tree. Putting metal-tips at the top of it, it was capable to batter down castle gates.

Battlements - Raised formations on top of the wall that give it its one square and space look. It is called parapets and it gives protection from arrows.

Bawdrick - A belt that a sword was hung from.

Byrnie - Chain mail shirt.

Caltrop - Twisted iron made with four sharp prongs. Before battle it was thrown down on the ground to take down riding horses and men.

Chain mail - interlocking rings of iron that could lessen the impact of weapons.

Chivalry - the Knight’s Code of behavior for times of war and peace.

Coat of Arms - An emblem placed on a shields, surcoats, or flags to indicate a Noble’s House.

Concentric walls - the outer walls of a castle.

Crenellations - Defensive battlements with openings for firing arrows.

Crossbow - Bow used for firing metal-tipped bolts called quarrels.

Leather armor - protective armor made of stiff, boiled leather.

Curtain wall - rings around the wall of a castle.

Drawbridge - a bridge that could be lowered or raised over a moat or river.

Duke - High-ranking nobleman who is related to the king or queen.

Fletcher - Makes arrows.

Forecastle - A raised wooden castle like structure at the front deck of a ship where archers could fire from.

Gauntlet - an armored glove.

Halberd - Long wooden shaft or pole with a spear and axe at the top.

Hauberk - Chain-mail shirt that covered the neck and shoulders or only the neck and shoulders .

Herald - High-ranking messenger and could also organize tournaments.

Joust - Competition between knights charging at each other with blunt lances.

Jupon - a surcoat that was short.

Keep - Center building of a castle.

Longbow - a bow able to shoot powerful arrows with accuracy.

Mangonel - Catapult using tension.

Mêlée - Mock battle at a tournament open to all.

Mercenary - Hired soldier often from another country.

Mercy Blade - Dagger used to kill wounded knights with a death stroke.

Moat - a dug up ditch surrounding a castle and is filled with water.

Page - Boy training to be a knight.

Pike - a spear, axe or hook at one top of a wooden pole.

Pillage - The act of raiding after battle.

Quarrel - Bolt or arrow fired by a crossbow.

Quintain - A revolving or moving target used to practice jousting.

Quiver - Arrow holder that could be worn over the shoulder or on a belt.

Sabaton - Armor made for the feet.

Scutage - a cost paid to the king for not providing troops for battle.

Stir-rup - A rest for the feet on a saddle.

Surcoat - coat-of-arms worn over chain mail.

Tapestry - Depicts the events and battles.

Trebuchet - catapult with a rotating arm.

Visor - Removable or moveable front piece of a knight's helmet.