Fauchard
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A fauchard is a type of polearm which was used in Europe from the 11th through the 17th centuries. In later use fauchards became ornamental and ceremonial, growing in size until some examples were alm
"Coupe-marc", a French agricultural tool from the 19th or 20th century, often mislabeled as a fauchard. Most polearms originated from pole-mounted agricultural tools because of their heft and reach.
Soldiers with various polearms including a fauchard and glaive
Weapons in a French museum, illustrating differing name usage between languages. Left: A weapon called a fauchard, resembling a bill. Right: An ornate crescent-bladed halberd labelled "partisan".
Pole Arms: The Development of Their Commoner Forms During the Centuries (fauchards are near the middle)
Halberd
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A halberd is a two-handed polearm that was in prominent use in Europe from the 13th to 16th centuries. The halberd consists of an axe blade topped with a spike mounted on a long shaft. It may have a h
Fauchard
…museum, illustrating differing name usage between languages. Left: A weapon called a fauchard, resembling a bill. Right: An ornate crescent-bladed halberd labelled "partisan". Pole Arms: The Development of Their Commoner Forms During the Centuries (fauchards are near the middle) References…
Halberd illustrated in "Théâtre de tous les peuples et nations de la terre avec leurs habits et ornemens divers, tant anciens que modernes, diligemment depeints au naturel". Painted by Lucas d'Heere in the second half of the 16th century. Manuscript preserved in the Ghent University Library
Halberdiers from a modern-day reenactor troupe
Early-16th-century miniature depicting the Battle of Grandson, from the Lucerner Schilling. Swiss soldiers can be seen armed with earlier halberds.
A member of the Swiss Guard with a halberd in the Vatican