Morgenstern: weapons of medieval cavalry and infantry

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:48

Of all the types of bladed weapons, the club is the most ancient. However, as the warriors of the Middle Ages considered, its capabilities were limited. To protect themselves from a blow with a club, it was enough for a person to put on plate armor. In connection with this fact, a need arose for a more effective shock weapon, for which heavy armor would not become an obstacle. Morgenstern has become such an almost ideal means for killing. The weapon was widely used by German soldiers during the 13th-16th centuries. You will find information about its device, application, advantages and disadvantages in this article.

Introduction to weapons

"Morgenstern" in German means "morning star". It is a special type of percussion weapon. It got its name due to the fact that its spherical warhead (beat) was equipped with pointed spikes at different angles. SoThus, the product resembles a star. It is believed that the morning star is the weapon of the Swiss warriors. This term was applied to maces with spiked pommel. However, there is also the concept of "kettenmorgestern", or "chain morgenstern". This product is a brush, the beat of which contains spikes. Thus, the morningstar is a melee weapon designed to pierce heavy armor with its sharpened steel spikes.

About production

According to experts, the morning star is a weapon that is quite easy to manufacture. In the 13th-16th centuries, the technologies for working with various metals were already developed so much that gunsmiths did not have any difficulties. Cast iron, bronze and iron were used as the material for the shock part. They made a morning star (a photo of the weapon is presented in the article) as follows:

• combat units and spikes for them were forged separately;
• thorns were simply welded to the iron bar.

Before that, all the components of the weapon were hardened. If the warhead was made of bronze or cast iron, then special mounting holes were previously made in it, the diameter of which was smaller than the diameter of the shanks of the steel spikes. Next, the beat was subjected to heat treatment. Then spikes were inserted into the holes of the most heated warhead. After the beater began to cool down, the temperatures leveled off, due to which each spike was “grabbed” and securely held in the warhead.

According to experts, beaters were often made of wood. It was enough just to equip the club with iron spikes. Despite the fact that this method was less laborious, the design was not strong enough. During combat, impact weapons often developed cracks. Morgensterns with 4-kilogram warheads were considered the most effective. Making a weapon with a beater that weighed less than a kilogram just didn't make sense.

About application

According to experts, the medieval weapon Morgenstern was widely used by both cavalry and foot soldiers. Despite the fact that the result of the blow of the rising star was incredibly crushing, there was inertia in the weapon. For this reason, the morningstar was used as a one-hit weapon. Technically, due to high speed and maneuverability, it was much easier for an infantryman to do this. The equestrian fighter had to carefully calculate the place for the strike. Since foot soldiers had both hands free, Morgensterns were much more effective in their use. In the cavalry, the "rising star" was held with only one hand, so the blow was weaker.

On virtues

Although the manufacture of forged spikes was quite troublesome and expensive, it was compensated during the battle. Morgenstern proved to be an effective melee weapon, through which it was possible to kill enemy infantry and cavalry. Sharp steel spikes pierced chain mail and armor, leaving no chance for the enemy. In addition, the morning star, unlike the two-handed sword, hadsimple design. To control it, the warrior did not need to go through a long training course.

On weaknesses

Despite the presence of undeniable advantages, the "rising star" had the following disadvantages:

• Because of the sharp spikes for the morningstar, it was impossible to sew a cover. Therefore, during transportation, the fighters had a lot of trouble: the weapon clung to clothes, it was not easy to walk with it. In addition, a warrior wielding a morning star was a danger to his “friends.”
• The Rising Star is considered a rather primitive weapon. They were only struck vertically. If the enemy was not ready for this and did not have time to hide behind a shield in time, then he was guaranteed a head injury.
• Since the studded pommel was the working part of this medieval weapon, the warrior had to calculate the distance in such a way that it hit the target. If the enemy shortened the distance, the warrior fell into a blind zone, in which the morning star is absolutely useless.

In closing

Human thought does not stand still. There are both new devices for killing, and protective equipment. With the invention of firearms, the need to use armor disappeared.

From now on, the age of the Morning Stars is over. However, budget-priced options in the form of nail-driven batons are still used by some street gangs.