Key Point: Bardiche was a medieval polearm with a large axe blade used for slashing and chopping.
In this article, we will be looking at the bardiche polearm. What was the Bardiche polearm, where it comes from, and of course most importantly how it was used in battle? So, strap yourself in and let us get started.
First, we have to answer an important question, before we continue. What was the bardiche polearm?
According to “The Complete Encyclopedia of Arms & Weapons” by Leonid Tarassuk and Claude Blair:
Bardiche was a type of polearm that originated in Eastern Europe and was used by infantry soldiers during the late Middle Ages and early modern period. Its long wooden staff featured a heavy, curved blade at the end, typically made from high-carbon steel. The bardiche was most effective in the hands of skilled infantry soldiers and was especially popular among the armies of Russia, Poland, and Ukraine.
That was the key takeaway of the article. A short summary if you will. Now, let’s expand on this topic and go into a lot more detail. Starting with the origin of the bardiche.
The Origin Of Bardiche
Bardiche originated in Eastern Europe and was used by infantry soldiers during the late Middle Ages and early modern period. The weapon evolved from the medieval battle-axe but featured a much longer wooden staff and a heavier blade.
The bardiche was especially popular among the armies of Russia, Poland, and Ukraine. There it was used as both a battlefield weapon and a ceremonial tool.
Now, let’s check out a famous battle where bardiche played a role.
Key Battle Where It Was Used
One notable example where bardiche was used was the Battle of Grunwald in 1410. There the Polish and Lithuanian armies defeated the Teutonic Order. The Polish and Lithuanian armies utilized a variety of weapons, including the bardiche, to break through the heavily armored Teutonic knights.
Bardiche was particularly effective in chopping through the armor and shields of the knights and was a key weapon in the Polish-Lithuanian victory.
Now, let’s move on to the size of the bardiche.
Its Dimension
Bardiche ranged in length from 4 to 5 feet. The blade itself was typically around 2 feet long. Meaning the total length of a bardiche, including the blade, would typically range from 6 to 7 feet.
And the materials it was made from?
The Materials Used To Make It
As noted in “The Complete Encyclopedia of Arms & Weapons,” the staff was usually made from hardwood such as ash or oak, while the blade was made from high-carbon steel to ensure sharpness and durability. Some bardiches were decorated with intricate designs or carvings (for the well-off), while others were left plain for practicality.
And its use in battle?
Bardiche Use In Battle
Bardiche was primarily used by infantry soldiers. They wielded the weapon with both hands to deliver powerful chopping attacks. The weight of the blade and the leverage of the long staff allowed the user to generate significant force when attacking.
The spike or hook at the top of the blade could be used for grappling or thrusting attacks, and the long staff could also be used for defensive purposes.
Given how it was used in battle, you might be wondering “Was bardiche an effective weapon”?
Was Bardiche A Good Weapon To Use?
The bardiche was considered to be a highly effective weapon in battle. The weight of the blade and the leverage provided by the long staff allowed the user to generate significant force, making the bardiche an effective weapon against heavily armored opponents.
One of the key advantages of the bardiche was its long reach. This allowed users to attack from a safe distance while still delivering powerful strikes. This was especially effective against cavalry charges, where the bardiche could be used to unhorse riders or to pull them from their mounts.
So, if you are going into battle against an armored opponent, you want to be equipped with as many bardiches as you can.
But given how effective it was, why did it disappear then? Let’s take a look at why armies would discard such an effective weapon.
Why The Bardiche Vanished
Well, it has largely to do with effective firearms coming into the picture. As you can imagine being able to take out an opponent from 20 or 30 yards away is better than attacking the opponent with a 7-foot pole.
So, obviously, effective firearms played a huge role in displacing bardiche from the field of battle. The same thing happened with this weapon too.
Suffice it to say by the 17th century the bardiche largely disappeared from the field of battle.
In Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. It is my sincerest hope you gained a thing or two from it. And I will see you at the next one. Might I suggest you click here … it will take you to another article on polearms covering the corseque weapon.
Take care!
Source:
“The Complete Encyclopedia of Arms & Weapons” by Leonid Tarassuk and Claude Blair