Peasant flail, 13-15 cen

This long version of the flail is remarkable by its wider range. It could be used in fight against riders or from the corral. This kind flail features anti-personnel spikes embedded in the striking end. Such flails were used in the German Peasants' War in the early 16th century. Several German martial arts manuals or Fechtbücher from the 15th, 16th and 17th century feature illustrations and lessons on how to use the peasant flail (with or without spikes) or how to defend against it when attacked. The spiked striking end of a hard oak wood is reinforced with metal for a higher resistance. A robust and penetrative spike forms a tip of its striking end. Source: Vladimir Dolinek, Jan Durdik: Historicke zbrane, 2008, ISBN 978-80-206-0918-2. More information...