The Morning Star weapon has been deployed throughout history, from the middle ages to modern combat. This spiky club is a flexible and lethal weapon with a distinctive design that has evolved over the years. Explore the Morning Star Weapon’s history and evolution,
its design and manufacture and how it was wielded in war.
What is a Morning Star Weapon?
The Morning Star Weapon is constructed out of a spiked ball, known as the head, that is fixed on a handle or shaft. The head is studded with spikes or points and can be made of iron, steel, or wood. The shaft length varies according to the type of Morning Star, and it is typically constructed of wood.
The weapon is intended to be swung about the user’s head and brought down with considerable force on an opponent, inflicting severe damage.
It is believed that it originated during the medieval period and was used in battle by knights and infantry. Over the years, it evolved into diverse variations, including the Indian Gada and the Japanese Kanabo.
Types of Morning Stars
Morning Star weapons have been employed in a variety of ways throughout history. Let us look at a few of them:
The Medieval Flail
The Medieval Flail is a Morning Star weapon made up of a spiky ball tied to a chain or rope. The weapon was intended for close combat, and the chain or rope allowed the user to swing the ball around and attack the enemy from various angles.
The Indian Gada
The Indian Gada is a Morning Star weapon with a weighty ball mounted to a short handle. It was used in Indian wrestling and is still used in martial arts today. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Hanuman also wielded the Indian Gada.
The Japanese Kanabo
The Japanese Kanabo is a type of Morning Star weapon used by Samurai warriors It is made out of a heavy wooden or metal club with inserted metal studs or spikes.
How Morning Star Weapons were used in Battle?
Due to its low range and hefty weight, the Morning Star Weapon was mostly deployed in close combat, such as on foot or in tight spaces. It was frequently used by foot soldiers or infantrymen to breach enemy fortifications or create disorder and confusion among the opposing lines.
Morning Star Weapons were used in various wars during medieval times, notably the Battle of Crécy and the Battle of Agincourt. In these battles, infantrymen used the weapon to break through opposing defences and inflict heavy damage on armoured knights.
Design and Construction of Morning Stars
A Morning Star weapon required significant talent and workmanship to design and build. The weapon’s ball, or head, was often made of iron or steel and contained several spikes, ranging from four to more than twenty, meant to pierce armour and cause serious harm. Spikes could be straight or curved, and the ball could be smooth or have ridges or grooves for better grip.
The Morning Star weapon’s shaft was typically composed of wood. However, metal shafts were occasionally used for increased strength. Depending on the weapon’s intended function, the shaft was generally between two and four feet long.
Certain Morning Star weapons had a chain instead of a shaft, allowing for more manoeuvrability.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Morning Stars
Like any worldly thing, the Morning Star weapon had both advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
- Effective against armour – The Morning Star’s spiky ball was designed to pierce armour and cause significant damage. It was especially effective against well-armoured opponents.
- Versatile – The Morning Star could be used in various situations, from close combat to mounted combat, making it a versatile weapon.
- Required minimal training – Wielding the Morning Star weapon was relatively simple, requiring minimal training compared to other weapons like swords.
Disadvantages:
- Heavy – The Morning Star was a pretty hefty weapon that required a lot of muscle to wield successfully. It may prove exhausting to use for lengthy periods of time.
- Slow – Compared to other weapons, such as swords, the Morning Star was sluggish. Because of its weight and shape, it was challenging to swing swiftly, leaving the wielder open to strikes from quicker opponents.
- Vulnerable to being stuck – The Morning Star weapon’s spikes may get trapped in an opponent’s armour, making it difficult to extract the weapon and exposing the wielder to assault.
Summary
The Morning Star weapon, a spiky club with a distinctive design, was used in wars throughout history. The weapon is made from a spiked ball attached to a handle or shaft, with the head studded with spikes or points, and it is designed to be swung around the user’s head and brought down on an opponent with significant power. This article discusses various types of Morning Star weapons, such as the Medieval Flail, the Indian Gada, and the Japanese Kanabo. While the Morning Star was efficient against armour and versatile, it was also heavy, sluggish, and prone to become trapped in an opponent’s armour.
