1.1.1
Weapons
Weapons c.1250-1500
Weapons c.1250-1500
Weapons in medieval England were fairly rudimental. It is important to know what changes took place, as well as what stayed the same.
Medieval weapons
Medieval weapons
- Weapons in medieval England were fairly rudimental.
- Although gunpowder becomes available within this period, the majority of weapons used were largely adapted farm tools or basic, hand-held implements.
- It is important to know what changes took place, as well as what stayed the same.
Common weapons used
Common weapons used
- Swords:
- Used by both knights and infantry in hand-to-hand combat.
- 13th Century - broad and flat (to tackle chain-mail.)
- 14th Century - thin and pointy (to thrust through plate armour’s joins.)
Common weapons used
Common weapons used
- Staff weapons:
- Staff were wooden poles with either a sharpened end or metal blade attached (e.g. spear/pike).
- Most effectively used in group defence (e.g. Schiltrons - used at Falkirk).
- Least effective in hand-to-hand close combat (poor maneuverability).
Common weapons used
Common weapons used
- Crossbows:
- Fired metal bolts.
- Slow fire-rate (2 bolts/minute).
- Very accurate and could reach 100m distance.
Weapons c.1250-1500
Weapons c.1250-1500
Weapons in medieval England were fairly rudimental. It is important to know what changes took place, as well as what stayed the same.
Importance of the longbow
Importance of the longbow
- Used in England from 1290.
- Increased rate of fire (10-15 arrows per minute).
- Increased distance (accurate at 200m but could reach 350m).
- Powerful enough to pierce plate armour.
Use of longbows
Use of longbows
- Effective in battles (Falkirk in 1298 and Agincourt in 1415).
- At the Battle of Poitiers, 1356, English archers fired 60,000 arrows at French cavalry in 60 seconds, killing 40% of the enemy’s knights.
- Required considerable skill and training to use.
- They became more widely used after Edward III demanded weekly training in 1363.
A turning point: the cannon 1320s
A turning point: the cannon 1320s
- Gunpowder was used in China from 900 AD, but only reached Europe in the 1320s.
1320-1430
1320-1430
- 1320-1430 - Cannons used but with limited impact.
- The sound would scare the enemy, but they were heavy and slow to transport.
1430-1500
1430-1500
- 1430-1500 - Cannon technology improves.
- Metal cannon balls replaced stone.
- Longer barrels created (more accurate and powerful with greater range).
- Still unreliable: 1460, King James II of Scotland killed by his own cannon.
1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500
2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700
3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900
4Modern Warfare c.1900-present
5The Historic Environment
5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45
Jump to other topics
1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500
2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700
3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900
4Modern Warfare c.1900-present
5The Historic Environment
5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45
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