Medieval Bar Mace Thames

Medieval Bar Mace Thames, 13th Century

Historical Origin and Combat Role

The original archetype of this bar mace dates back to the 12th–13th century, with notable archaeological remains recovered from the bed of the River Thames in London. However, bar maces of this design were widely used across Western and Central Europe. They emerged as a direct countermeasure to advances in maille armor and early plate defenses. While swords struggled against hardened steel plate or dense maille, this impact weapon relied on pure kinetic force. A single well-placed blow could crush helmets, shatter bones, and inflict fatal internal trauma regardless of the armor worn by the opponent.

Significance of the Name Thames

This weapon bears the name Thames in honor of the famous archaeological discovery made in the gravels of London's iconic river. The River Thames has yielded a wealth of medieval military artifacts lost during bridge skirmishes or river crossings. Naming this mace after its discovery site highlights its authentic historical lineage and direct connection to the turbulent martial history of medieval Europe.

Materials and Craftsmanship

The striking head features four heavy steel bars (flanges) arranged in a cross profile along a central steel shaft. The hilt is constructed with a solid wooden core wrapped in high-grade brown leather, grooved to ensure a firm, non-slip grip. The butt of the handle is fitted with a heavy spherical steel pommel that acts as an effective counterbalance to the long head. A durable leather wrist strap attached to the pommel ensures the weapon stays securely attached to your arm during movement.

Technical Specifications

Care & Safety Guidelines

Keep the steel surfaces of the mace clean and dry. After each use or handling, wipe down the metal parts and apply a light coat of mineral oil or gun oil (such as Ballistol) to prevent rust. Treat the leather wrap occasionally with leather conditioner to keep it supple.

Safety Warning: This bar mace is a fully functional, extremely heavy impact weapon weighing 2.45 kg (5.40 lbs). For safety reasons, it is strictly NOT intended for unarmored sparring, unchoreographed HEMA, or full-contact combat between individuals! The weapon generates immense force capable of causing severe or fatal injuries even through heavy protective armor. Exercise extreme caution during live demonstrations and never direct strikes at unprotected targets or people.

Recommended Medieval Accessories

To assemble a historically accurate 13th-century man-at-arms or knight setup, we recommend pairing this mace with:

• A heavily padded linen gambeson
• A long hauberk chainmail shirt with integrated coif
• Steel gauntlets or padded leather combat gloves
• A 13th-century Kettle hat helmet or early bascinet
• A heavy leather belt with a period brass buckle for carrying options