What kind of weapon is a bill?
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What kind of weapon is a bill?
The bill is a polearm weapon used by infantry in medieval Europe. The bill is similar in size, function and appearance to the halberd, differing mainly in the hooked blade form. Other terms for the bill include English bill, bill hook or bill-guisarme.
Is a halberd an AXE or a spear?
A halberd was a combination of an axe and a pike (spear-like lance). It consisted of a shaft a bit longer than that of a spear, with a spearhead at the end and an axeblade on one side of the shaft.
What was the halberd used for?
The halberd was an important weapon in middle Europe from the 14th through the 16th century. It enabled a foot soldier to contend with an armoured man on horseback; the pike head was used to keep the horseman at a distance, and the ax blade could strike a heavy cleaving blow to finish the opponent.
What is the difference between a halberd and a Poleaxe?
The first is that the halberd usually has a larger, longer axe cutting edge than the poleaxe. Poleaxes were generally shorter than halberds – while pole weapons, they were rarely taller than the wielder and in fact were designed to be carried “across the body” and both ends used – like a pugil (or fighting stick).
How much does a halberd cost?
Halberd
| Name | Cost | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Halberd | 20 gp | 1d10 slashing |
Can you legally do a Viking funeral?
“Although having a ‘Hollywood style’ Viking funeral would be logistically impossible and completely illegal, having an authentic Viking funeral is actually legal. Cremation or burial on land or sea to emulate Viking funeral rites and customs is a real possibility in the USA.”
Why is the bill similar to the halberd?
The bill is similar in size, function and appearance to the halberd, and might be said to represent convergent evolution to fill a common niche: a pole-arm with a point to thrust with, a hook to drag with, and a spike/axe to cut with.
What are the benefits of a halberd?
The halberd was simply the more or less ultimate development of that concept. In the hands of a skilled soldier, there is quite a benefit. The first is weapon length. Being longer than a sword, it keeps an effective user out of the range of a sword. You can use it like a spear or an axe and the heft can penetrate armor.
What is a halberd used for in the military?
They could also be used to push pikes or muskets up or down, especially to stop overexcited musketeers from firing prematurely. The halberd has been used as a court bodyguard weapon for centuries, and is still the ceremonial weapon of the Swiss Guard in the Vatican and the Alabarderos (Halberdiers) Company of the Spanish Royal Guard.
What is a bill in medieval warfare?
The bill is a polearm weapon used by infantry in medieval Europe. The bill is similar in size, function and appearance to the halberd, differing mainly in the hooked blade form. Other terms for the bill include English bill, bill hook or bill-guisarme.