Voulge
A voulge (/vuʒ/; also spelled vouge[1] or wouge)[2][a] is a type of polearm that existed in medieval Europe, primarily in 15th-century France.[3]
Description
A voulge would usually have a narrow single-edged blade (sometimes with a secondary edge on the back) mounted with a socket on a shaft. The weapon could additionally feature shaft reinforcements called langets and rondel protection for the hands at the base of the blade.[4] Troops that used the weapon are called voulgiers.[5] It is a weapon noted to have been used by the Franc-Archers[4] and is also depicted in artwork of their creation.
There is a popular erroneous definition of the word voulge in modern times, which refers to a pointy cleaver-like weapon blade attached to the shaft with two hoops like a bardiche. This definition is incorrect and started in the 19th century with Viollet le Duc, and the weapon in question is an early form of halberd.[6]
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Voulges depicted in the hands of Franc-Archers
See also
Notes
References
- ^ "vouge". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. OCLC 1032680871.
- ^ Depreter, Michael (2011). "L'artillerie de Charles le Hardi, duc de Bourgogne (1467-1477). Reflets des réformes d'un prince". Bulletin de la Commission royale d'Histoire (in French). 117: 106, 109 – via Persée.
- ^ a b Waldman 2005, pp. 183–188.
- ^ a b "Historical European Polearms and other Weapons: The historical Voulge - what is this polearm?". Historical European Polearms and other Weapons. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
- ^ Sargeaunt, Bertram Edward (1908). Weapons: A Brief Discourse on Hand-weapons Other Than Fire-arms. London: Hugh Rees, Ltd. pp. 23–24.
- ^ Waldman 2005, pp. 16–17.
Works cited
- Waldman, John (2005). Hafted Weapons in Medieval and Renaissance Europe The Evolution of European Staff Weapons between 1200 and 1650. Leiden: Brill. doi:10.1163/9789047407577. ISBN 978-90-474-0757-7. OCLC 704633881.