Poleaxe

The poleaxe (also spelled pollaxe, pole-axe, or Polax) is a European polearm weapon that was widely used by foot soldiers and knights from the 14th to 16th centuries. Developed from the felling axe, the poleaxe was designed to defeat plate armor, which became increasingly sophisticated during this period. It represented a versatile and effective anti-armor weapon, combining several offensive capabilities.

The poleaxe typically consisted of a wooden shaft, usually between 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) long, topped with a combination of weapon heads. These heads commonly included:

• Axe Head: A sharp axe blade, often relatively small and designed for chopping or hooking.
• Hammer Head: A blunt hammer or mallet, designed to deliver concussive blows and damage armor. These could be flat, spiked, or ridged.
• Spike/Bec de Corbin: A sharp spike, often resembling a bird's beak (bec de corbin meaning "crow's beak"), for piercing armor or attacking exposed joints.

The butt end of the poleaxe was frequently capped with a metal ferrule, which could also be shaped into a spike or flange for additional attacking options.

Poleaxes were favored for their versatility and effectiveness in close combat. They could be used for thrusting, chopping, hooking, and smashing, allowing the wielder to adapt to different situations and exploit weaknesses in an opponent's armor. The length of the haft provided reach and leverage, while the various weapon heads offered multiple ways to damage or incapacitate an armored foe.

Training with the poleaxe was common among knights and professional soldiers, and techniques for its use are described in numerous historical fencing manuals. The weapon fell out of favor with the increasing prevalence of firearms on the battlefield.