The battle flail

The battle flail

The battle flail can be considered a kind of variation on the morning star. This weapon consists of a wooden shaft with an iron chain on the end to which a metal ball with points is attached. The battle flail was a nightmare for warriors with a shield, as this weapon through the chain was extremely deadly to those who carried a shield. Fighting flails could differ greatly from each other. Most had a short shaft with a longer chain. This type was used in hand-to-hand combat against a shield bearer.

There are also lance-like specimens that had to be handled with 2 hands and were sometimes even man-sized. Such battle flails were better suited to reach over shield walls. It is likely that this weapon was developed from what was originally an agricultural tool, but this theory remains uncertain to this day.