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How Did Warfare Change The Medieval Period?

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How Did Warfare Change the Medieval Period?

Genya Doherty

The study of Medieval Warfare has been approached in a way that it concentrates on social, governmental and economic factors to the detriment of where military methods and practice. Most of the technological advances changed the Medieval Period and affected it in a myriad of ways. A lot of the advances that had to do with warfare were better weapons, armour and other stuff. The feudal system has been greatly studied but as to how wars were actually fought is still to this day widely misinterpreted and misconceived (The Myths of Medieval Warfare, 1994, para 1). One of the main types of warfare that was used was Siege Warfare. It was effective and quick, it also benefited the attacking …show more content…

In siege warfare the attacked have no where to go and will not be able to escape with this particular technique of warfare (Lords and Ladies, 2015, para. 1&3). In siege warfare the attacker always had the upper hand as they could withdraw anytime and always had control of the situation. Knights were only allowed to fight for a limited time-usually 40 days but it can be up to 90 depending on the circumstances (para. 10) so both sides had limited resources and could only battle until those run out or it is won as they would run out of solders. Siege warfare increased the efficiency of battle and made it easy for the …show more content…

Daggers

A dagger is a shorter “sword” and used the same way as a sword.

Halberd

A halberds main purpose apart from fighting was to look fierce and scare the opponent.

Mace

A mace is a club with spikes used for doing damage and pain more so than killing quickly.

Pole Weapons

These pole weapons were either held or thrown.

Quarterstaff

The quarterstaff, similar to the mace was good for inflicting pain but was not that great for instant kills.

War Hammer

The war hammer was great at instantly killing their victims by hitting the head.

The Axe

The axe was also not as efficient for killing but great at breaking bones and amputating.

Bow and Arrow

The bow and arrow like to long bow was used at long distance inly it was slitty more accurate.

Caltrops

Unfortunately these were use when mounted knights are in involved. they were thrown on the grown hurting the horses hooves.

Crossbow

The crossbow was a later invention and was a high powered bow and arrow which was fired by a trigger.

Flail

The flail was also not very good at killing rather inflicting pain.

(Medieval Weapons, 2014, para.

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