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Halberd

dated 1589 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A halberd was a long handled axe descended from agricultural implements. On the battlefield and in training it was a serjeant’s multi-purpose enforcer. Its spikes, blades and hooks were designed to entrap opponents and pierce armour, and its staff could be used for keeping one’s own regiment in order.

On this example, however, the hooks have become decorative loops and the blade is elaborately etched with the arms of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the art-loving, architecture-reforming, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg. The weapon has effectively evolved from a rugged tool of war into a sophisticated symbol of established authority, ie. a symbol of peace.

Several of these halberds are preserved in European collections, particularly in Salzburg, along with painted leather ‘watchmen’s’ shields, of which two are also in the V&A.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Brief description
Steel bladed halberd, the blade etched with the arms of Dietrich von Raitenau, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg (1587-1612), South German, dated 1589
Physical description
Steel blade etched with the arms of Dietrich von Raitenau, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg (1587-1612)
Dimensions
  • Height: 228.8cm
  • Width: 28.5cm
  • Depth: 3.7cm
Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries
Marks and inscriptions
The arms of Dietrich von Raitenau, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg (1587-1612) and the date 1589 (The blade)
Object history
This halberd once equipped the ceremonial guard of Dietrich von Raitenau, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg (1587-1612).
Historical context
This is a good example of a weapon that has evolved from a rugged tool of war into a sophisticated symbol of established authority, ie. a symbol of peace. On the battlefield, a halberd was a serjeant's multi-purpose enforcer, a long handled axe descended from agricultural implements. Its spikes, blades and hooks were designed to entrap opponents and pierce armour, and its staff could be used for keeping one's own regiment in order.

On this example, however, the hooks have become decorative loops and the blade is elaborately etched with the arms of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the art-loving, architecture-reforming, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg. Several of these halberds are preserved in European collections, particularly in Salzburg, along with painted leather 'watchmen's' shields, of which two are also in the V&A.
Summary
A halberd was a long handled axe descended from agricultural implements. On the battlefield and in training it was a serjeant’s multi-purpose enforcer. Its spikes, blades and hooks were designed to entrap opponents and pierce armour, and its staff could be used for keeping one’s own regiment in order.

On this example, however, the hooks have become decorative loops and the blade is elaborately etched with the arms of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, the art-loving, architecture-reforming, Arch-Bishop of Salzburg. The weapon has effectively evolved from a rugged tool of war into a sophisticated symbol of established authority, ie. a symbol of peace.

Several of these halberds are preserved in European collections, particularly in Salzburg, along with painted leather ‘watchmen’s’ shields, of which two are also in the V&A.
Bibliographic reference
Patterson, Angus, Fashion and Armour in Renaissance Europe: Proud Lookes and Brave Attire, V&A Publishing, London, 2009, ISBN 9781851775811, p. 84, ill.
Collection
Accession number
M.55-1930

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Record createdApril 5, 2004
Record URL
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