During the Elizabethan time there were a variety of weapons used for defence and leisure. Despite the end of the medieval times, many of its weapons were still in use (Mahabal). Because of this, the Queen pushed to have new, modern weapons be created in case of a war. The threat of a war was real because of the constant dispute between the Catholic Spanish and the French (Alchin). Most of the weaponry that came to be happened to influence English history forever such as the Rapier, the musket, and the cannon.
The Rapier was the sword of choice during the Elizabethan Era. It is a 42 inch sword that has a 1 inch tip. This sword mostly weighed between 2 and 3 pounds so it was light and versatile. The Rapiers tend to have a stylish and royal appeal to them with the designs that encompass the handle. A fair portion of these swords were used for fencing more than a fighting weapon. Some Rapiers had a “cutless” edge which means that they wouldn’t cut the person they were fencing against. They would typically come with a
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The musket revolutionized weaponry during the Elizabethan era. This weapon was a muzzleloader which means in order to load the gun, the user must put the musket ball in at the end of the barrel (Britannica). It was approximately five feet long and weighed 20 pounds (Britannica). The musket had a matchlock system on it that used a lit match to light gunpowder on fire and the explosion caused a musket ball go sailing out (Norman & Pottinger 168). The musket balls weighed 57 grams and came in calibres between .69 and.75 inches in diameter.(Britannica) The musket balls could fly up to 175 yards, which is almost the length of the 2 football fields (Britannica). The early muskets were not very accurate but England was able to fix this and allow them to hit a person at 80-100 yards (Britannica). The musket will go down in history as one of the most famous weapons of the Elizabethan
When there are weapons, there is also armor. Knights wore a chainmail called the hauberk and according to Hilliam, “the hauberk was extended to include iron sleeves, mittens, and a hood” (19). In addition, knights also needed better methods to protect a vulnerable area, the head. The great helm had been introduced by the thirteenth century and it covered the head and the face with extra protection (Hilliam 19). It wasn’t too long until the great helm was replaced by the bascinet. It was similar to the great helm although it was a “more closely fitted
During the Revolutionary War we do not see much advancement in weaponry, but we do see a wide array of weapons such as Artillery, Rifles and Muskets, Pistols, Swords and Sabres, Ship classes, and even Submarines. Although there was not a huge technological leap in weaponry, the weapons were very interesting and effective at the time.
They made the Battle Axe by a knot in a root or branch with a convenient to make a good battle axe. also would put frog poison on the darts and put them in the blowgun. Stone weapons, tomahawks and battle hammers were made from rocks of the correct overall shape by sharpening one edge and grinding a binding groove around the stone using other, harder stones.
One key weapon in the middle ages was the sword. A sword is a long, sharped edged piece of forged metal that is used for a cutting or thrusting weapon. The basic purpose and physical properties of swordsmanship have remained fairly consistent throughout the centuries, but the actual techniques have varied throughout cultures and time. Most people in the middle ages admire the sword as being one of the most important weapon.
The development of a weapon allows us to peer into its use and the thoughts behind the weapon. The macuahuitl was made out of a wood plank with a narrow handle and wide paddle. What made it dangerous was the razor-like volcanic rock protruding out of the paddle which acted like a thousand fire ants biting into the skin. The Aztecs used this weapon as the uttermost important weapon in their arsenal. Columbus was enchanted by it, which is exemplified by the fact that he arranged for one to be sent to Spain. The weapon started as a terse, one-handed weapon, and it
The latest weaponry Did you know that in the Elizabethan era, weapons were one of the reason of fashion? In our modern world today, you won’t see anyone walking or strolling in public with a 72 inch rapier and with a 6-12 inch dagger. Well back in the Elizabethan era and in Shakespeare time that was one of the fashion that either knights have or rich kids had. In the Elizabethan era the fashion for the knights are to decorate their rapiers to show their towns people they have money and they have a lot of respect. Should we be allowed to carry a weapon such as a firearm, knife, or a dagger?
Royalty enjoyed hunting and took different approaches to the sport in their own way. The Queen enjoyed hunting that When animals were incapacitated during the hunt , the queen herself would take her dagger to cut the animal’s throat("Queen Elizabeth I Pastimes (1533-103)"). While on her hunts Queen Elizabeth had killed six female deers with her bow while on horseback ("Queen Elizabeth I Pastimes (1533-103)"). With Queen Elizabeth’s skills of hunting and archery she had increased her royal stature impressing the company with her("Queen Elizabeth I Pastimes (1533-103)"). The Queen and her Royal hunters would use Falconry which took a much different approach to hunting.
I’m going to compare the different characteristics and usage of rapier and dagger in The Three Musketeers and The Man in the Iron Mask. Rapier and dagger play was very prevalent on the continent and in England during the Elizabethan period. The standard configuration for a duel was rapier and dagger. It was common for every gentlemen to carry a dagger and some carried a rapier at that time (Wilson). According to the material, rapier is held in dominant hand for attacking while dagger is used in the other hand for defending. With the combination of the two weapons, the combating effect will attain a better level. Similarly, both of the stories took place in France of the 17th century. And the physical violence plays an important role in promoting
The spear is a weapon consisting of a shaft of wood with a sharpened head which was used for melee or ballistic weapon. The lance is a light throwing spear or javelin. In the article, "The thrusting spear also has the advantage of reach." MacDonald, James. "Medieval Warfare." 24 Feb, 2015. 5 Feb, 2016. www.medivalwarfare.info. The corseque is a polearm that has a three bladed head. The fauchards is a polearm which has a curved blade. According to James, MacDonald, "Pole weapons were relatively simple to make and easy to most people to use". MacDonald, James. "Medieval Warfare." 24 Feb, 2015. 5 Feb, 2016. www.medivalwarfare.info. Polearms were needed to be used for ranged fighting and
The spear was used as a throwing weapon, and would make contact with the enemy and most likely kill them. Spears were carried by almost everyone and were used all the time. The spears were around 5 to 9 feet long and were a very forceful weapon, ( Dark Age Weaponry). Spears had many different sizes and weights. The lighter spears were easier to throw and also easier to aim. The lighter ones were easier to make contact with the enemy, but the heavier spears were more forceful. When someone threw a heavy spear it was harder to throw, harder to aim, but were more forceful and more reliable when it came to battle. The spear was most of the time made of just wood and then a blade attached. Normally, it was two one edged blades connected to each other to make a point to inflict more
So if a mace broke in combat, it wouldn’t make a financial hole into the ruler’s pocket. Poleaxes were also a very effective weapon to use from horseback. It was a long sharpened rod with an axehead on the top. The poleaxe was long so that a soldier could be up close, but also keep their distance to protect themselves from the enemy. Poleaxes were primarily used while a knight was mounted on horseback.
Common ranged weapons used by armies in the Medieval ages were variations of the bow, throwing axes and crossbows. The English in particular were very effective at utilizing groups of long bowmen to decimate the enemy’s troops. The long bow used by the English had a draw weight of 150 to 200 pounds, which was the highest recorded draw weight for a bow during this time, and required great strength to
It is undoubtedly certain that William the Conqueror’s weapons and tactics were by far more effective than Harold Godwinson’s strategies. The different types of weapons the Normans used at the Battle of Hastings were weapons no Englishman had ever seen used in battle before like the powerful ranged crossbow. The Normans had specially trained warriors called knights who wore chainmail armour and rode on horseback, the knights were the first of the English to fight on horseback so this gave the Normans an advantage over Harold's army. As well as their weapons Historians believe that they also made good tactical decisions in battle. During the battle of Hastings when William was trying to break through Harold’s shield wall he ordered his men to
The most profitable, oldest vast sword in England is the “Sword of State.” Plus there is more elegant collection of swords. The Sword of Temporal Justice, the Sword of Spiritual Justice, and the Sword of Mercy had been made by Charles I of England who ruled from 1625 until; he was quickly executed in 1649.
Bladed weapons were used to engage enemies at a close range to inflict stabbing and slashing wounds. They usually consisted of a blade around 30” at minimum with some form of hand guard. Most knights carried one sword by default called an arming sword. They were anywhere between 30” to 32” in length and could be used to both slash and thrust. Another sword used by knights were