Norman maces -- myArmoury.com

Dan Howard · Posted: Sun 12 Mar, 2017 5:54 am Post subject:

No idea. I don't think there are any illustrations showing someone wearing one.

J. Douglas · Posted: Sun 12 Mar, 2017 6:05 am Post subject:

Graham Shearlaw · Posted: Sun 12 Mar, 2017 5:48 pm Post subject:

Mark Moore · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 6:46 am Post subject:

That's the closest depiction I've seen in artwork of a flail like mine. I've only swung mine once, and can tell you now---the 'short bullwhip' idea is a no-go, and helicoptering it overhead would be just......stupid. Eek!

I've taken up some slack in the chain (31") to shorten it, and that makes it semi-useable. There IS NO WAY to get the thing moving quickly, as is. As I stated earlier, I just bought it for the 'wow factor'. This would be THE LAST weapon I would want in a real battle, and it would probably be MY LAST battle due to killing myself with my own weapon! Laughing Out Loud

It now enjoys a comfy retirement in my 'man-cave' on a shelf behind a locked door...right where it should be. Wink

.....Thanks for posting that photo! Big Grin

.............McM

Arne G. · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 8:39 am Post subject:

Mark Moore · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 9:38 am Post subject:

Yes, I'm aware of that. Thanks. As I said, I CAN shorten up the chain length(using a rock-climbing carabiner) and make it a *little more* user-friendly. Wink

It's still dangerous as hell any way you look at it....and looking at it is ALL that should be done with it. It's a display-case queen and always will be. Wink

I normally only collect functional weaponry....and functional IT IS...but I just had to have it. Laughing Out Loud

......McM

Mark Moore · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 9:50 am Post subject:

I put it in the same league with my Hanwei Lowlander....I don't need a sword as long as I am tall. But, just had to have it simply to make people say "Holy s**t, that's a big sword!". Laughing Out Loud

.....McM

J. Douglas · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 10:03 am Post subject:

Mark Moore · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 10:19 am Post subject:

Well...In case THAT happens, that's what my Remington 12ga. pump is for. Wink

.....McM

J. Douglas · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 12:20 pm Post subject:

J. Douglas · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 12:29 pm Post subject:

Just wondering, want are your perffered "blunt" "Hitty" or bludgending weapons? Maces? War hammers? Axes? Poleaxes? Anything else?

Not looking for particular eras, but just what do you think we're the best weapons? (And I guess what do you like aesthetically to)

I personally like maces. Not the spiky morning star ones, though. The flanged and knobbed ones. Big Grin

Mark Moore · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 2:04 pm Post subject:

If you are addressing ME personally, I like axes and war-hammers best. No particular reason....mostly for looks, I guess. My next major purchase will probably be a big Dane-style axe....most likely the big Cold Steel two-hander. Big Grin

But...heck....I like 'em ALL. Big Grin

.......McM

J. Douglas · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 2:49 pm Post subject:

Dan Howard · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 4:04 pm Post subject:

Dane axes don't help when you are facing an enemy with a line of archers. You need to hope that your neighbour has a shield that is large enough to cover both of you.

Mark Moore · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 4:41 pm Post subject:

I'm in the process of building a Viking shield at this very moment! Big Grin

.....McM

Mark Moore · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 4:49 pm Post subject:

Besides, I only fight the dumb bad guys who don't use archers! Laughing Out Loud

.........McM

Graham Shearlaw · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 8:11 pm Post subject:

Mark Moore · Posted: Mon 13 Mar, 2017 10:29 pm Post subject:

It is a RitterSteel Authentics , sold by Kult of Athena. They advertise the weight at 5 pound, 13 oz. The handle and chain doesn't amount to that much really...so....I would *guess* that the head alone weighs somewhere between 3-1/2-to-4 pounds. As far as I can tell, the 'ball' is solid--not hollow. It's a meaty chunk of steel....for sure. Suicide on a stick....that's what I call it. Eek!

Comparing inertia to a sword, axe, mace, or ANY other weapon is incalculable, as far as I'm concerned. What I do know is this: Concerning this particular weapon...IF you manage a swift, solid hit...somebody is NOT getting out lightly on the receiving end. Wink

Hence all my earlier comments on it....this thing scares the crap outta me. Eek!

....McM

J. Douglas · Posted: Tue 14 Mar, 2017 1:14 am Post subject:

Benjamin H. Abbott · Posted: Tue 14 Mar, 2017 11:45 am Post subject:

Two-handed flails did see serious military use at times, most notably in the Hussite Wars in the 15th century.

Circa 1600 and on (perhaps earlier too), some Korean cavalry used two-handed flails.

As far as Norman maces go, a blow from horseback from a strong and skilled rider would presumably be enough to at least stun any opposing cavalry soldiers. Writing in the first half of the 15th century, Bertrandon de la Broquière thought Turkish cavalry maces would be able to knock a person unconscious through a helmet if the wielder were "swinging freely" (Galen Kline's 1988 English translation). Western European en-at-arms retained the mace until the pistol generally replaced it and transformed heavy cavalry overall.

On the other hand, some Norman maces may have been a bit light compared with 15th-century Turkish maces or 15th/16th-century European maces. I've seen a number of 16th-century maces that are 3+lbs according to museum records, while some earlier maces were only 1-2lbs.