Medieval WeaponsWarfare By Charlie Schwartz Flails Essential Question

Medieval Weapons/Warfare By: Charlie Schwartz

Flails Essential Question: What was the flail used for? Used to break armor. Close combat weapon. Very versatile. Used with momentum. Applies tremendous force. Mounted on a short staff. Ball made of iron or steel. Staff made of wood. Bad for defense. Knights version was lighter.

Daggers Essential Question: What were daggers used for? Used as a cutting or thrusting weapon. Blade made of Iron or steel. 1 or 2 sided blades. Lots of blade or hilt shapes. Viewed as short swords. Some had hand guards. Earliest Knives. Nicknamed “Roundels. ” Length around 6 -20 in. Close combat weapon.

Longbows Essential Question: What was the ranged height of a longbow? Six to 7 feet. Made to measure. Made of yew ash, hazel, and elm. Effective against armor. Travel over 250 yards. Ranged weapons. Wood protected by wax, resin, or tallow. Welsh were the 1 st people in Britain to have them. Skilled archer could release 10 -12 arrows a min. Arrows had a steel tip.

Maces Essential Question: Did traditional maces have one or two heads. Had one head. Close combat weapon Used on horseback. Head made of steel, iron, or bronze. Simple cheap to make. Applies tremendous force. Handle made of steel or wood. Did not require training. Could break armor. Peasant warriors used this.

Battle Axes Essential Question: Were battle axes also used to throw? Could throw it. Designed for close combat. Bludgeoning or cutting weapon Could break armor. Crescent shaped blade. Needed no training. Blade made of steel or iron. Could have the blade double sided. Mounted on short or long staff. Used by lots of warriors in medieval times.

Crossbows Essential Question: What were crossbows made of? Bow was made of wood, iron, or steel. Span of 2 or 3 feet. Ranged weapon. Slow fire rate. Expensive to make. Could Break armor. Easier than short or long bows. Did not need training. Could travel 300 yards. Stock made of yew ash.

Catapults Essential Question: What were catapults used for? Used to hurl big objects. Could break a castle wall. Launched from a bowl shaped hull. Expensive. Effective. Could kill a crowd of 6 men. Ballista was another form of catapult. Hurls anything. Had wheels to roll on. Over 20 ft high.

Battering Rams Essential Question: What were battering rams used for? To open castle gates by force. Suspended by chains. Put on a frame. Body is mainly metal. Frame mainly made of wood. Put in slings. First ones were logs. Had wheels on the frame. Hard to move around. Required about 6 men to push.

Siege Warfare Essential Question: What is siege warfare? Conflict between armed enemies. Required strategies or plans. Conducted by armed forces. Involves communication. Is called siege warfare because of catapults. Crusades used siege warfare. Used to take over a town or village. Mainly for destruction. Used to gain access. Frequently occurred in middle ages.

Armor Essential Question: What was armor used for? Used to protect warriors. Used as weapon. Hand had flexible leather. Helmet had holes to breathe. Knights always wore armor. Came in either plates or chain mail. Foot armor was called “sabatons. ” Incorrect sizing was bad to fight in. Ankle and calf armor was called “greaves. ” Even horses had special armor.

Bibliography 1. http: //www. medieval-life-and-times. info 2. http: //www. encyclopedia. com 3. World History/Mc. Dougall Little/Rand Mc. Nally

Quiz 1. What were flails mainly used for? 2. What two metals were dagger blades mainly made of? 3. How far can an arrow travel from a longbow? 4. What kind of weapon is a mace classified as? 5. Can you throw a battle axe? 6. Can a crossbow break armor? 7. Can a catapult hurl pretty much anything? 8. About how many men did it require to push a battering ram? 9. Who conducted siege warfare? 10. Did horses have armor?