| The mounted soldiers that began to over take | | | | reinforcement made it incredibly sturdy when |
| the battle fields in the 14th and 15th century | | | | faced up against an opponent wielding a sharp |
| demanded a response and it was this demand | | | | sword. No amount of chopping at the shaft could |
| that first brought the use of the halberd out on | | | | snap it in half and only with sizeable strength could |
| to the field. The halberd is usually about four to | | | | it be broken. |
| six feet long, it is carried by one man in both | | | | The only main concern faced with using this |
| hands and on top of the pole-arm rests an axe | | | | particular martial arts weapon is that the length of |
| head. The halberd was one of the more functional | | | | the halberd makes it increasingly difficult to |
| weapons as it could be used in all different | | | | manage as an opponent closed the gap between |
| scenarios and was able to compete against other | | | | himself and the halberdier. |
| close combat bladed weapons like the sword or | | | | The Swiss in the 14th century would mainly use |
| the pike. | | | | the halberd on the battle field. Today the Swiss |
| Being a rather long weapon the halberd allowed | | | | will often carry a halberd as a decorative weapon |
| quick access to an opponent; it was easy to | | | | to make homage to their army's history. The |
| strike from a safe distance using this martial arts | | | | Pope in Rome has halberdiers as his bodyguards, |
| weapon. Atop the axe stood a pointed spike or | | | | the happen to be called the Swiss Guard and they |
| spear which could be used in a fashion similar to | | | | have chosen to use the halberd for guarding |
| the pike. The practical variety of the weapon | | | | royalty for centuries. |
| presented halberdiers with multiple striking options. | | | | These guards as well as some German soldiers |
| Sweep the legs Johnny and then stab you in the | | | | carried side-arm daggers or swords with them as |
| face was one of their favorite attacks. | | | | well so that when it became less practical to use |
| The halberd could be used to dismount cavalry | | | | the lengthy pole-arm in battle they could use a |
| and knights because it was designed to snag and | | | | shorter range weapon. |
| wrestle mounted soldiers to the battlefield. The | | | | As military technology increased and the mounted |
| axe head was crafted with a large spike on top | | | | knight faded into history and legend, so too did |
| that could be used to finish off the dismounted | | | | the halberd and halberdier. It is still one of the |
| combatant once they were hooked to the | | | | most respected pole-arm martial arts weapons |
| ground. | | | | out there today and is often used to protect |
| The shaft of the pole-arm could be strengthened | | | | royalty it is for the most part a forgotten relic |
| by crafting it with a layer of iron or steel. This | | | | and historical symbol. |