A weapon used in the Middle Ages ( Medieval period ) by a Foot Soldier
Description of Batons The weapons used during the Middle Ages include the use of Batons. Batons were the name of the swords which were used in Sword training or Tournaments and were made of whalebone or wood. The description of the Batons which provides basic facts and information about the weapon is as follows:
Batons - This weapon originated as a club or cudgel and is the simplest of all mêlée weapons
The Baton - Batons, were the names of the swords which were used in Tournaments or training and were made of whalebone or wood
Wooden batons measured two and a half feet long
The length of batons were specified in a fifteenth century treatise on cries des joustes
A Rebated sword is one that has had its point and edge blunted for training or tournament
Behourd was the old name of the training ground for young knights and squires
The behourd was also used as a friendly tournament to be held at special occasions such as weddings, knight ceremonies and coronations
At these special tournaments, or behourds, the batons were decorated to give the appearance of real weapons
Batons were only used to strike 'above the belt'
Training Combats or tournaments using batons were settled by either a set number of counted blows, or until one or both combatants had been “satisfied” i.e. had enough
Used as a versatile, close contact weapon. It was cheap to produce in its simplest form being made from a single piece of wood that is narrow enough on one end to be grasped by the hand
Batons were made of any type of hard wood, lime was often preferred
A blow from a baton could apply tremendous force
Training Combats or tournaments (behourds) using batons Training Combats or tournaments (behourds) using batons were settled by either a set number of counted blows, or until one or both combatants had been “satisfied” i.e. had enough. Certain blows or manoeuvres using batons were allocated set numbers of points.
Thrusts to the body, shoulder and face counted as three points
An immobilization or disarm was counted as three points
Thrusts to the rest of the body or wrists counted for one point
Strikes made with the use of the pommel or quillon also counted for one point
N.B. The quillon was the crossbar on the hilt of a sword. The pommel was part of the hilt which acted as a counterweight to the blade.
Batons Each section of Middle Ages Weapons provides interesting facts and information about Medieval warfare in addition to the Batons. The Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of the Medieval period of the Middle Ages!
Batons
Middle Ages era, period, life, age and times
Middle Ages Castles, Knights, Crusaders, Crusaders and Weapons
Interesting Facts and information about Medieval Batons used during the Middle Ages
