With the slides and the video about this pollaxe, think about the form and function of this weapon.

The pollaxe was designed for knights fighting on foot. The stout thrusting tip could pierce through the gaps in an opponent’s armor, without being broken off between the sturdy steel plates. The stout axeblade delivered a powerful blow that could damage armor and cleave bone. 

The cleated hammerhead was designed to gain a purchase on the surface of armor, which was always designed with rounded shapes that made it harder to get a solid hit. Yet this deadly weapon is also decorated with the elongated and cusped tracery of Gothic art, echoing the look of medieval cathedrals.

We will watch the video about this pollaxe. Why do you think so much time was spent on the artistic design of this weapon?

Standards for The Pollaxe

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework

Common Core - English Language Arts