Halberd facts for kids

Reenactors with Halberds.

A halberd is a powerful two-handed weapon from the past. It's like a mix of an axe, a spear, and a hook, all on a long wooden pole. Soldiers used halberds for fighting in battles a long time ago.

Halberds were very popular in Europe during the 14th and 15th centuries (the 1300s and 1400s). Today, you can still see halberds, but they are mostly used for special ceremonies. For example, the Swiss Guard, who protect the Pope in the Vatican, carry halberds as part of their traditional uniform.

What is a Halberd?

A halberd is made up of a few important parts:

• The Pole: This is the long wooden shaft, usually about 1.5 to 2.5 meters (5 to 8 feet) long. It allowed soldiers to reach enemies from a distance.
• The Axe Blade: At the top of the pole, there's a sharp axe blade. This part was used for powerful chopping attacks, like a regular axe.
• The Spike: Right above the axe blade, there's a sharp spike pointing upwards. This spike was good for thrusting attacks, like a spear, to pierce armor.
• The Hook or Thorn: On the back side of the axe blade, there's often a hook or a sharp thorn. This part could be used to pull knights off their horses or to trip enemies.

History of the Halberd

Halberds became very important weapons in medieval Europe. They were especially favored by foot soldiers, like the Swiss pikemen. These soldiers were famous for their fighting skills.

The halberd was great because it could do many things. It could chop like an axe, stab like a spear, and even hook enemies. This made it a very versatile weapon on the battlefield. It was effective against both armored knights and other foot soldiers.

Halberds Today

While halberds are no longer used in modern warfare, they still have a special place in history. The most famous group that still uses halberds is the Pontifical Swiss Guard. They are the protectors of the Pope and the Vatican.

The Swiss Guard wear colorful uniforms and carry halberds during their duties. For them, the halberd is a symbol of their long history and tradition. It reminds everyone of the brave soldiers who once used these weapons in battle.

Images for kids

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  Halberd illustrated in "Théâtre de tous les peuples et nations de la terre avec leurs habits et ornemens divers, tant anciens que modernes, diligemment depeints au naturel". Painted by Lucas d'Heere in the 2nd half of the 16th century. Manuscript preserved in the Ghent University Library.

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  A member of the Swiss Guard with a halberd in the Vatican.

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  Different sorts of halberds and halberd-like pole weapons in Switzerland

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  Citizens of Zürich on 1 May 1351 are read the Federal Charter as they swear allegiance to representatives of Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne. One of the representatives carries a typical Swiss halberd of the period depicted (as opposed to the time the image was made, 1515).

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  Saint Wiborada is often (anachronistically) depicted with a halberd to indicate the means of her martyrdom.

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  Halberd-axe head with the head of a mouflon. Late 2nd millennium–early 1st millennium BC. From Amlash, Gilan, Iran.

See also

In Spanish: Alabarda para niños