[NR] Sword vs Spear...

[Angus Mac]

NO and NO

Angus TARd
--- Ivo Blackhawk <ivo_blackhawk at hotmail.com> wrote:
> A question: is it possible to effectively use a
> spear and shield combination
> on the battlefield? The key question being can a 6
> foot spear effectively be
> used one handed?
>
>
> Lord Jean Paul and myself just reciently had a very
> interesting discussion
> about the flexability and effectiveness of a spear
> and shield combination as
> compared to a sword and shield combination.
>
> Lord Jean paul was of the opinioun that a spear
> would too easyly be blocked
> or parried, and that it would be to difficult to
> deliver a killing force
> blow with only one hand.
>
> I, on the other hand would argue that a spear can
> effectively be used even
> against an extremely well defended opponent, and I
> know for a FACT that a 14
> foot pike pole can be used single handed with enough
> force to punch 1/4 inch
> plywood (though it's not easy.)
>
> The discussion stemed from Lord Ainar's lecture
> about vikeing weapons and
> how they were used. It seems tha the primarly
> weapon's combination was a
> shield (kite, round or squair) and 6 foot spear used
> one handed. Swords were
> used, but were expencive and comparitively rare.
> Numbers from my own reading
> sugest that the battle of Hastings would likely have
> had as many as twenty
> to thirty spears for ever sword found in the
> infantry.
>
> Anyway, My reason for bringing this to the list is
> because the discussion we
> had was very lively, and informative, and I would
> like to take it to the
> list because I think that it would prove interesting
> to see what others have
> to say. While I have never personaly fought a spear
> and shield combination,
> I know that others have (I remimber killing a few of
> you at B3K a few years
> back ;) Also, a lot of people who are die-hard
> spearmen will likely know how
> well you can wield a spear one handed as they are
> more likely to try that
> than simply walk off the field after being struck in
> the arm.
>
> So, anyone else have anything to contribute to the
> discussion, I really do
> look forward to seeing who has what to say.
>
>
> Lord Ivo Blackhawk
>
>
>
>
>
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