Halberd

A halberd is a versatile, two-handed polearm used primarily between the 13th and 16th centuries.

It is defined by its multi-functional head mounted on a long wooden shaft. This weapon was highly valued because it could perform several different tasks in combat. It combined the cutting power of an axe with the piercing ability of a spear.

Soldiers who carried this weapon were known as halberdiers or halbardiers. The name itself comes from the Middle High German words *halm*, meaning handle, and *barte*, meaning battleaxe. This linguistic origin highlights its fundamental nature as a handled axe.

The mechanism of the halberd relies on its three distinct parts: the axe blade, the top spike, and the rear hook. The axe blade provides heavy striking force for cutting or chopping. At the very top, a sharp spike allows the user to thrust the weapon like a spear. This was particularly useful for pushing back approaching horsemen or dealing with pikes.

Many halberds also featured a hook or thorn on the back of the axe head. This hook served a specific tactical purpose in grappling. A soldier could use it to hook an opponent or pull a rider from a horse. These features made the halberd a sophisticated tool for various combat distances.

As the weapon evolved, its construction became more advanced. In the late 13th century, the halberd began to look different from standard broad axes. The top of the blade developed a more acute point for better thrusting. By the early 15th century, a major change occurred in how the head attached to the shaft. Earlier designs used metal hoops to hold the blade to the wood. Newer designs incorporated sockets, which allowed the blade to be more securely integrated. This development also meant that back spikes became a universal part of the design.

History records several key moments where the halberd changed the course of war. The Swiss were among the most famous users of the weapon. John of Winterthur noted that the Swiss used it at the Battle of Morgarten in 1315. The weapon's effectiveness was proven at the Battle of Nancy, where a Swiss peasant used a halberd to kill Charles the Bold, the Duke of Burgundy. This single act helped decisively end the Burgundian Wars.

Even kings were not safe from its reach. Researchers confirmed that a halberd likely killed King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

Over time, the role of the halberd in infantry units shifted significantly. During the 14th and early 15th centuries, it was the primary weapon for Swiss armies. However, as warfare changed, the percentage of halberdiers in units began to drop. By 1588, Dutch infantry composition showed only 9% halberds, compared to 34% pikes and 39% arquebuses. By 1600, the weapon was no longer used by general troops and was reserved for sergeants. In 1625, the Catholic League still had 7% halberdiers, but by 1627, this number fell to 15% as muskets rose to 65%.

Even as its use in direct combat declined, the halberd found new purposes. German sergeants during the Thirty Years' War used the weapon to maintain order. They would grasp the shaft with both hands to push men into straight ranks. They also used the shafts to adjust the position of pikes or muskets. This helped prevent overexcited musketeers from firing their weapons prematurely. In the British army, sergeants carried halberds as symbols of rank until 1793. By that time, the weapons often lacked sharpened edges and were used to ensure soldiers stood in correct alignment.

Today, the halberd survives as a powerful ceremonial object. It is still used by the Swiss Guard at the Vatican to protect the Pope.

The Spanish Royal Guard also maintains a company of halberdiers known as the Alabarderos. While they no longer serve on the front lines of battle, they represent a long history of military tradition. The weapon has transitioned from a versatile tool of the battlefield to a respected symbol of authority and protection.