Halberds in Vogue

an article by Markangle

Yea verily, halberds are back in a big way. For sooth, It has nae been a year since the two handed broadsword was called "the true hero's weapon". But this year, all the hero's, every man jack of 'em, is lined up at ye olde armorers shoppe t'have his very own halberd made. Aye some of 'em calls 'em glaive, an some guissarme, and there's bills, berdiches, an bohemian ear spoons, the bhuj, couteaux de breches and crowbills, the doloire, francisque, godenda, halberd (of course). An too there's the hippe, the hoko, the jedberg axe, the kigalee, an the lochaber axe, the naginata, the O-no and them what are just called pole axes and th' vogue. So whats a warrior to do? we wont even mention the lucerne hammers, nor military forks or pikes, as we 'avent the time. Today's warrior is expected t'carry weapons t'stop a man in his tracks, or a man on horseback, or a wave of heavy cavalry. Ideally he can deal leathally with 'is foe near at hand, and also at a distance. While there may be an ideal weapon for each combat range, and circumstance of manuvering room, carrying all of them is impractical. hence the popularity of the pole arm, frequently accompanied by a bow. Obviously one hopes to slaughter his foes before they close inside pole range. Of course, the argument over what range is the most effective combat range will likely continue for eons, an this short ramble will set nothing to rest. But what weapon should you choose? Whatever you comfortable with. Of late, I've become attached to an axe, though not a long one. I may carry a sword again someday, relacing my lost goblincleaver, but for now, this cantankerous dwarf will carry an unfashionably short axe. So there.

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The picture is from the Museum Replicas Ltd. Catalog
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