Weapons Basics

Most every type of weapon known in England or Scotland (even Ireland, in some cases!) would potentially have been possessed or used by Border Horse and their associated infantry. Exceptions would have been items too heavy or unwieldly for use on horseback, or to be carried about. On long marches, outside of combat areas, heavy weapons would have been transported on carts. This did not apply in Ireland, where there was often danger of ambush by Irish kern light infantry, and the need to be at least armed was constant.

Horse: The standard weapon would be the lance. Compact headed, from 8 to 9 feet in length, ash or oak staffed. A leather wrap around the balance, where the hand grasps would be appropriate, it's not necessary. An alternative would be the weapon called a "northern staff or "Jedburgh staff". This is a long, narrow, single edged blade, up to 4 feet in length,set into an oak staff. There a few photos around of surviving examples. This was a common weapon in Lowland Scotland and the Border Regions, usable on foot and on horseback. Woodcuts from the period show other light compact headed polearms used by horse. Think about it: could the weapon you are contemplating be used against other horse or infantry, from horseback, in a light saddle, effectively and without unhorseing you? Don't go overboard in an attempt to be unique. Save the heavier-headed pole weapons for use by the Foot types, or when you may go dressed in foot mode yourself.

Swords used by Border reivers of the time could and probably did run the entire spectrum of development by this time. From old pieces used by grandfather in the 15th century, or at Flodden, half a century in the past, to up-to-date examples brought back from mercenary service on the continent. Since in Elizabeth's time it is forbidden to take weapons out of the country, except as included with a military unit, individuals gone to Europe to serve with the various armies would have had to equip themselves there. We have a few types we forbid from this unit, since these are specific to other groups. See Weapon Standards pages. Again. remember the practicalities of using a weapon on horseback. Some pieces are simply foot weapons, period.

Other items used by Horse would include light axes, hammers and, possibly, maces. All these items should be kept appropriate to time and place. Shields; "Scottish" type targes, and more current metal or wood and metal shields would both be seen. Leave small, light bucklers to the foot types. Again, see Weapons Standards for thoughts on shields.

Foote: The above applies to infantry as well, except that a man on foot can manipulate a longer heavier weapon (at lest for a while!). Alternative pole weapons would be longer spears and polearms of heavier, longer types. As with swords, we have to forbid a few specific types here as being "typed" to other troops or units. An example is 'lange-de-boeuf' spears, as used by the Landsknechts. Some types of halberd are very "germanic", others are used by English regular foote as NCO weapons, be careful. Some of us have books that have long lists of various types of polearm, with drawings. Browse a little. A nice addition would be some of the simple "Irish" pole mounted blades. This sort of weapon was also known in Lowland Scotland at the time, for an example of some blade shapes, see A,B, & F in the Osprey "Border Reivers" book.

Axes are common foot weapons, these can be heavier than those used on horse, including two-handed types. Safety is an issue, be sure you can manipulate such a weapon. Another item that would be a nice addition is a long handled, crescent bladed, Irish axe, of the type used by Galloglaigh (against us!) in Ireland.

Many foote are of lower classes or are less wealthy (or lucky!) than the horse types, thus would have less expensive or flashy weapons, especially swords. There are several decent infantry type swords available, an alternative would be a really long dagger or dirk, or a "peasant" type sword, such as those shown in the well-known "Koler" print of the early seventeenth century. These can be made or converted from several modern items, not easily, but it can be done. Again, almost any type of sword used in England, Scotland, Ireland or the rest of northern Europe could be used, excepting of course the "ethnic' restrictions. See Weapons Standards.

Daggers and knives are no less important than swords, especially for the Foote. Ethnic restrictions apply, also the economic considerations noted above. A nice dagger is something that would be eagerly picked up on a battlefield, however, thus it would not be out of place to see a bit nicer dagger hanging from the belt of an otherwise plainly equipped soldier, probably in a homemade scabbard less glamorous than the weapon it protects. Working, eating, and cooking knives overlap, nobody needs to carry 5 or 6 different blades for special purposes. There are special knives for leatherwork, and other crafts, these would not be used for boning a leg of mutton or other such mundane purposes, rather, these would be kept put away and protected, in a workbag or such.

Firearms will be treated separately.