The period of 1000 years in Europe between the 5th and 15th centuries was the time known as the Medieval Ages. During this time, most of Europe was under the control despotic feudal overlords, and the land was infested with pestilence and war. Living under the threat of invasions from foreigners, the people of Europe developed a different kind of weaponry. These weapons were found very useful to the Europeans, and devastated their enemies. This paper will examine three weapons designed in the Medieval Ages: the dagger, the rapier, and the morning star.Appearing in the early 6th century, the dagger became a worldwide weapon. Ranging in sizes from 13 to 17 inches, the dagger was an arm auxiliary to the sword. Being the sword’s accompaniment, the dagger would parry the attacks by the enemy’s sword. In combat, the dagger’s use was not only to parry but also to attack. The dagger’s design of a sharp and lethal tip made it an essential weapon for stabbing rather than the sword’s common use of slicing an d cutting. Also because of the dagger’s thin but sturdy blade, it was a perfect weapon for piercing through the joints of armor. Another use of the dagger was to break the blade of the opposing sword by crossing the dagger blade with the sword blade, and then quickly pulling the dagger handle up. Having so much pressure applied to the blade of the sword, the sword blade would simply snap in two. The use of the dagger with the traditional sword enhanced hand-to-hand combat for Medieval Europeans. Through its long history, the rapier was a weapon of choice for gentlemen rather than soldiers. Originating in the 14th century in France, it became a popular weapon used not only in France, but in Germany, Italy, and Spain. The word "rapier" comes from the Spanish term, espada ropera, meaning "sword of the robes" which symbolized its use with civilians rather than armored soldiers. Its unusual de...
