axes of the crusades? -- myArmoury.com

William Jenison · Posted: Thu 20 Mar, 2008 6:20 pm Post subject: axes of the crusades?

i have a question on my mind that has bothered me for quite some time, would the crusaders employ the use of larger axes on the battle field, what shape or size might they be and finally how would a large axe or poleaxe be carried when travelling?

Sean Smith · Posted: Thu 20 Mar, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject:

You may want to look at the Maciejowski Bible. IIRC, there are several larger axes pictured in there. Not Crusaders, per se, but illuminated during the times of the 4th(?) Crusade, or around 1240-1260.

Jesse Zinn · Posted: Wed 26 Mar, 2008 6:23 pm Post subject:

Greetings, all,
I'd like to bring this one back around and see if we can get anymore traffic/discussion. William, have you had any luck?

Specifically, I'm curious about axes utilized by crusaders between the 2nd and 4th Crusades, especially in the hands of the Christian military orders (squires, brother-sergeants, Turcopoles, etc.). I've searched around some on the archives here and elsewhere and haven't come up with much. Please direct me if I've missed something already posted.

Reasonable to presume that large Type M "viking" broadaxes would still have been in use? or, would the forms have evolved on into more "classically medieval" looking forms (symmetrical crescent-moon shaped edges, etc.)?

Much thanks, all,
-Jess