Knights’ Favourite Weapon – The Sword
Medieval knights wielded a variety of weapons, each designed for specific tactics in warfare. From swords and lances to maces and axes, these tools reflected a knight’s skill and status. Many weapons were custom-crafted and intricately decorated, symbolizing power as well as function. Mastery of multiple weapons was expected of any true knight, and their use was deeply tied to the ideals of chivalry, honor, and protection.
Swords were also one of the best weapons available for close-quarter fighting as they were able to penetrate gaps in armor and had several uses in close combat. The medieval swords used by Knights developed over time.
In the early medieval period Knights’ swords were more basic and until around the 13th century had a double-edged slashing type blade. The Medieval Knight’s sword needed to adapt constantly due to the advancements being made in armor technology.
As plate armour replaced chain-mail armour knights’ swords became smaller and more pointed. These types of swords were developed so that the knight could thrust his sword through the gaps in an enemies’ armour and helmet which would cause severe injuries and death.
Mounted Knight – Lance
Lances were used by Medieval Knights who fought on horseback most of the time, they would charge other Knights at great speed, it is believed that the combined speed of two Knights charging each other would be up to 60 mph *that’s 30 mph each!
The Knights’ lance weapons were long wooden poles that had sharp metal tips at the end, however, these lance weapons were also used by knights in jousting tournaments which usually had rounded wooden ends and were made of hollow wood for safety reasons.
In the 14th century Knights, lance weapons were improved to stop injuries to the hand on impact, small round plates were added to stop the Knights’ hands from moving along the shaft of the lance.
Lance Rest
Battle Axe – High Impact Weapon
Battleaxes were popular weapons used by Knights up until the 11th century, after this, they were less popular but made a comeback after the 14th century when plate armour was introduced and high-impact weapons were needed to combat these advancements.
Knights used Poleaxe weapons on horseback where they were able to fight their enemy at close range. The Knights Pollaxe weapon was able to smash through breastplate armour and the helmets of enemy soldiers and knights.
Knights Daggers
Daggers were usually used as a last resort as close combat weapons, Medieval Knights would sometimes resort to the dagger when they had lost other weapons or were in very close combat possibly grappling situations.
Medieval daggers were very long and tapered into very sharp points that could penetrate armour, they were ideal weapons for making fast stabbing and thrusting motions at the enemy’s face and for cutting the enemy’s throat.
Maces & Flails – Clubbing High Impact Weapons
Flail weapons were usually used when Knights had been dismounted and were on foot, there were several variations of the flail weapon used by medieval knights, most consisted of a wooden handle at the end of which was one or more chains that had several spiked metal balls at the end.
The flail weapon was popular amongst knights as it was difficult to defend against, however, it was a very inaccurate weapon and a knight could not direct his blows against weak areas of enemies’ armour, this made medieval flails quite easy to defend against.
Mace weapons used by knights were short sticks made from wood or metal, usually metal in later medieval times that had a heavy metal end that was usually ridged, the ridges helped to concentrate the force of the blow and these weapons were capable of splitting open the best-designed plate armour.
Poleaxe – Pollaxes – 3 Weapons in 1
Poleaxe weapons were usually used on foot and were really a combination of three weapons in one unit. A Poleaxe commonly called a Pollaxe was usually around 2 m in length and was capable of punching through plate armour.
There were a lot of options available to medieval Knights with this weapon.
A Pollaxe was usually a long wooden pole ‘classed as a polearm weapon’ with a hammer and axe on one side that could be used for punching holes in plate armour, spikes on the tip could be used in a similar way to a spear.
Pollaxe weapons could also have spikes that would be used to drag other Knights from their horses and were also very useful for fighting on the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions about Medieval Knights Weapons
What weapons did medieval knights use?
Medieval knights used a variety of weapons including swords, lances, maces, daggers, axes, and sometimes bows and crossbows, depending on the battlefield and tournament.
What was the primary weapon of a knight?
The sword was the most iconic weapon of a knight, symbolizing honor and skill, while the lance was primarily used in jousting and cavalry charges.
What is a lance used for?
A lance was a long, pointed weapon used by knights during mounted combat, especially in jousting tournaments and cavalry charges.
Did knights use ranged weapons?
While primarily trained in close combat, some knights also used bows, crossbows, and throwing weapons depending on the battle and their role.
What protective gear did knights use with their weapons?
Knights wore chainmail, plate armor, helmets, gauntlets, and shields to protect themselves while wielding heavy weapons.
Were weapons personalized?
Yes. Many weapons were engraved, decorated, or emblazoned with family crests and symbols, making them unique to each knight.
How were knights trained to use their weapons?
Knights trained from childhood as pages and squires, learning combat skills, horsemanship, and weapon mastery over many years.
Test Your Knowledge: Medieval Knights Weapons Quiz
