abbey: A monastic community of either monks or nuns
abbot / abbess: Superior of a monastery or nunnery
aclys: wooden Roman throwing stick with a spiked head; attached
to user's arm with a strap which
enabled it to be retrieved after it had been thrown
adarga: parrying weapon consisting of a small bladed shield attached
to a short spear
adze: carpenter's tool; consists of an axe-like blade mounted
with the edge at right angles to the
handle
ailette: flat plate of leather or parchment which tied to the
point of the shoulder; worn between
1250-1350 to display the owner's coat of arms
aketon: a padded and quilted garment, usually of linen, worn
under or instead of plate or mail
alamani: curved steel Indian sword with a gilt handle
ama-goi-ken: a Japanese temple sword which represents Amakurikara,
or rain dragon; a
straight-bladed, double-edged sword
amice: A square of linen (usually white in color), folded diagonally, worn by the celebrant priest, on
the head or about the neck and shoulders.
ancus: Indian elephant goad; vary greatly in size from about 40 to 120 centimeters in length; shorter
ones were used by riders, while the longer versions were used by the
trainers who were on foot
anelace: A heavy, broad-bladed, sharp-pointed, double-edged knife
angolan battle-axe: weapon with blade attached to a wooden handle
apostate: one who leaves a religious order after having professed (usually via vows) to remain in the
order
arbalest: A crossbow with a steel box stave
arcane: secret, mysterious, or obscure
argent: 1. the heraldic color silver or white 2. silvery or white in
color
arit sickle: sickle consisting of a pronounced half-moon blade mounted
on a short handle
armet: a closed helmet consisting of the rounded cap of the bascinet with two cheek pieces
overlapping at the front when closed
arming cap: small quilted cap worn under a mail coif that offered protection against blows and the
friction of mail against the head
arming doublet: quilted garment worn under armour from the early fifteenth century, equipped
with points to attach mail gussets and pieces of armour
artillator: Maker of bows, arrows, and other archery goods
aventail: 1. a mail garment protecting the neck 2. a "curtain" of mail to protect the neck,
suspended from the helmet and reaching to the shoulders
ay-baita axe: Turkish battle-axe; head is mounted with a pick opposite the blade and broad metal
bands extend down from the head along the wooden shaft for reinforcement
babanga: African sword consisting of a metal leaf-shaped blade fitted
onto a wooden hilt
bacinet: Relatively light helmet with a rounded or pointed top. Sometimes fitted with a visor and
called a bassinet.
baculus: heavy European club made of hardwood with a knotty striking
head
badge: An emblematic figure, placed on some prominent part of the clothing of servants and
retainers, such as the breast, back, sleeve, etc., to show to what household they belonged; found
also on flags, and buildings
badelaire: European sword with a heavy, curved blade and S-shaped quillions; used during the
16th century
baggoro club: flat club from Australia made of hardwood with a sharpened
edge
bagh nakh: (tiger claw, bich'hwa bagh nakh) bar with four or five curved blades attached; on each
end of the bar a ring is attached so forefinger and pinky can be slipped through the rings with the ar
in the palm; sometimes fitted with dagger blades
bailey: Defended courtyard of a castle.
bailli / bailiff: Royal officer responsible for the administration of
justice and of revenue in a district.
balestarius axe: large Battak axe/adze; head is fitted into the wooden handle and then lashed
with reed
baleyn: medieval word for whalebone which was used for weapons and armour during the 14th
century
ball & chain: type of European flail; consists of a metal ball attached to a short wooden handle by
a chain
ballinger / balinger: 1. English sailing barge usually with from forty to fifty oars 2. small oared
vessel with single mast and sail.
balta axe: Turkish battle-axe; the axe head was normally engraved and often inlaid with silver or
gold
barbut: (also called barbute and barbuta) an open-faced shoulder-length helmet, made in one piece,
with a T-shaped face opening
baselard: 13th century European thrusting sword with a straight diamond-shaped
blade
basilica: rectangular building used as a meeting hall
bassinet: conical helmet with pointed visor
bastard sword: (also known as hand-and-a-half sword) large, double-edged sword with a long grip
which could be wielded with either one or two hands
battle-axe: generic term for fighting axes, especially European ones; generally consists of a broad,
socketed head attached to a wooden handle; metal reinforcement bands extend down from the head
to help prevent it from being broken off in combat
bearded axe: large two-handed war axe used primarily in Europe; socketed metal head fitted to
wooden handle
bearded war axe: smaller, one-handed version of the bearded axe; for use as a missile or while
mounted; socketed metal head fitted to wooden handle
bec-de-corbin: type of war-hammer used in Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries; pick-like head
was fitted with a spear like point for thrusting; normally mounted on a wooden haft with metal
reinforcing bands extending down from the head
beladah: steel sword with a sabrelike blade and a knuckle guard
besagues: circular plates laced to the outside of the elbow joint and front of the shoulder to protect
the joints in an armour
bevor: high collar of plate covering the lower half of the face
bilbo: small European thrusting sword with a rapierlike hilt
biliong: Malaysian axe/adze consisting of a square-tanged blade fitted into a wooden handle; blade
can be placed in line with the handle for use as an axe or at right
angles for use as an adze; handgrip is often quite large and the smaller
portion of the handle is very flexible; socket into which the head is fitted
is normally bound with cane
binnol: flail consisting of a spiked ball head connected to a wooden
handle by a short chain
bipennis: double-bladed European war axe; mounted on a wooden haft
bird's head club: hardwood club with pick-like design as an attempt to improve the wounding
capabilities of the weapon; often intricately carved
birnie: (also called byrnie) a mail shirt
bisacuta: double-pointed pick used by European foot soldiers in the 14th century; metal head
mounted on a wooden haft
bi-teran: wooden Australian club having a round handle and a flattened
end
blueing: an oxidized blue surface on plate armour, produced through
heat treatment
bodice: 1. the close fitting upper part of a woman's dress 2. a woman's wide, sleeveless vest tightly
laced in front, worn over a blouse or dress, usually low-cut
bokken: wooden Japanese practice sword
bolas: cord or leather thong with stones attached to each end; second cord with stone is attached
to the center of the first to create a three-pronged weapon; weapon
is spun around the head and then thrown at the target's legs
bolts, crossbow: shortened arrows used in arbalests; small stocky missiles know for being
capable of incredible penetration
boomerang: wooden throwing stick with an effective range of about 20
meters
bouzdykan: all metal mace used in Poland in 17th century
bowyer: bow maker
bracers: plate armour for the arms
braquemar: European sword with a short, double-edged blade.
breeches: trousers reaching to the knees
brigandine: (also brigantine) 1. metal splints sewed upon canvas, linen, or leather and covered
with similar materials; a material used in making light armour; a "pair
of brigandines" is a body-coat of this material, in two pieces 2. defensive
jacket of metal plates on cloth 3. a canvas or leather jacket with small
plates of metal stitched inside
broad axe: European war axe having a broad, straight edge; head was socketed and attached to a
wooden haft
brocade: a rich silk fabric with raised patterns (raised patterns usually
in gold and silver)
buckler: 1. a small round shield carried by infantry to deflect blows 2. a small round shield held by
a handle at arm's length 3. a shield worn on the left arm
bulawa: all metal Russian mace
bullova: two-handed war axe that varies greatly in size but basically consists of a wide-bladed head
attached to a wooden handle; some are fitted with a spike above the
head for thrusting
bullwhip: woven leather whip normally used as an animal herding tool
burgonet: steel cap with chin-piece; from 16th century armour
burnoose: (burnous, burnouse) A sort of upper garment, with a hood attached. 1. cloaklike
garment and hood woven in one piece, worn by Arabs 2. combination cloak
and hood worn by women 3. long hooded cloak woven of wool in one piece;
worn by Arabs and Moors
burrong: wooden club from Australia with an axelike shape
buskin: footed leggings with thick sole made from expensive soft leathers and embroidered and
brocaded fabrics.
byrnie: mail shirt, the prescursor of the hauberk
cabacete: type of war hat popular in fifteenth century Europe with a turned-down brim which was
drawn up to a point in the front and rear with an almond-shaped skull
campilan: Malaysian sword with a forked wooden pommel decorated with tufts of dyed hair; blade
is single-edged, a curved projection behind the point
casque: (also called casquetal) a light open helmet, these were often similar in shape to the
burgonet and popular in the 15th and 16th centuries
cat-o'-nine tails: European whip used in flogging; leather thongs were usually knotted at their
ends and were sometimes fitted with metal spikes to tear the flesh of
the victim
cervelliere: steel skull cap
cervèllaire: small skull cap worn under the great helmet (greathelm) during the last part of the 13th
century and into the early 14th century
cestrosphendone: sling dart consisting of a wooden pole with a leaf-shaped blade, attached
behind were two or three fixed vanes of wood; sling was fitted at the
tip and behind the vanes and the dart then spun above the head; effective
range was about fifty meters
cestus: wide leather thongs, often weighted with lead; worn wound around the hands of Roman
boxers
cghchemarde: European fencing sword of the late 17th century; blade was triangular in section
for about 20 centimeters from the hilt and then narrowed to a flat section for the remainder of its
length, the design gave the blade great lightness and flexibility
chakram: (shirikin) flat steel ring with a sharpened outer edge used as a thrown missile; several
were often carried on a pointed turban; thrown like a frisbee
chijiriki: double-edged Japanese spear with a weighted chain attached to the butt end; two-handed
weapon
chanfron: armour for a horse's head
chapel de fer: An iron cap that was a domed helmet, made in three or more pieces, with a wide
brow around the outside. During the 14th century it was widely used by English and French
men-at-arms and bachelier knights who could not afford a bascinet.
chausses: mail protection for the legs (particularly the thighs), either in the form of mail hose or
strips of mail laced round the front of the leg
chemeti: whip normally made of buffalo leather or human hair and attached to a hardwood handle; a
large knot is normally made in the end of the whip itself; overall length
of the weapon can vary from 90 to 160 centimeters
chereb: straight bronze sword with a double-edged blade
chivalry: complicated code of behavior/ethics for knights, based on telling the truth, keeping one's
word and protecting those weaker than oneself
chundrick: a sword with an incurved steel blade and a straight hilt
circlet: a circular band worn as an ornament on the finger, arm, neck
or head
claw hammer: typical carpenter's tool; metal head fitted to a wooden
handle
claymore: (also called greatswords) Large two-handed swords popular in Scotland during the 15th,
16th and the 17th centuries. Ranging in length from 50" to 72", they
possessed handles that were 18" - 21" in length.
club: universal blunt weapon of many cultures
cog: a type of substantial sailing ship
coffer: 1. a chest in which money or valuables are kept 2. a treasury;
funds
coif: 1. a cap that fits the head loosely 2. a thick skullcap, as of leather, formerly worn under a hood
of mail 3. mail hood covering the head
corslet: (also called corselet) a light half-armour popular in the sixteenth century for general military
use; consisted of a gorget, breast, back and tassets, full arms and
guantlets
cote armour: Quilted garment worn over a breastplate, cote of plates, or as the sole body defense
during the 14th century.
cote of arms: A word that seems to have been interchangeable meaning a cote armour blazoned
with a device, or a surcoat bearing the heraldic charge of a man's affiliation.
Because it was the most visible expression of a knight's arms, the word
has come to mean the heraldic device itself rather than the cote upon which
it was sewn, painted, or embroidered.
cote of plates: (pair of plates, plates) A cloth or leather covered armour for the body with several
large plates riveted underneath for the defense of the body.
craquemarte: heavy European sword with a curved blade and a knuckle guard; generally used at
sea
crest: heraldic device worn on helm
crowbill: (hammer) war-hammer-like fighting pick used in Europe; usually made entirely of iron or
steel; point of the pick is very effective in piercing mail and joints
in armor
cudgel: European practice sword made of wood and fitted with a basket hilt; used in broadsword
practice
cuirass: Plate defense for the body. Consisting of a breast and backplate, hoops of steel to defend
the hips known as faulds, and tassets to defend the hips.
cuir bouilli: leather hardened in boiling wax
cuisses: plate armour pieces protecting the thighs
cumber-jung: (flail) Indian flail made by attaching two heavy quoits to a short handle of wood by
chains
cutlass: a short, thick, curving sword with a single cutting edge
dabus: mace that consists of a piece of wood studded with nails
dacian falx: sword consisting of a curved, single-edged blade with a long wooden hilt; used by the
Celtic and Germanic tribes
dagger mace: European mace/pick made entirely of steel; shaped to look like a hand holding a
dagger
dalwel: Burmese two-handed sword with a tanged steel blade; sword has a heavy, square-ended
blade fitted into an unguarded hilt of wood or ivory; consists of a slightly curved, single-edged blade
fitted into an unguarded wooden hilt
dexter: heraldic: on right hand of shield
dha: sword with a broad blade and a plain, unguarded handle
dhara: mace having six blades; made entirely of steel with a padded
hilt
dolabra: axe-like Roman tool/weapon used by legionnaires; socketed head attached to a wooden
handle
doloire: (wagoner's axe) European battle axe used in the 15th century; socketed steel head is fitted
to a wooden haft
doublet: a man's close-fitting jacket with or without sleeves, worn chiefly from the 14th to 16th
centuries
dowak: flat throwing stick
dusack: weapon made of a single piece of iron with a curved blade and
guarded hilt
eccat: sword with a deer horn hilt and no guard
elephant axe: large two-handed axe used in Africa to ham-string elephants; iron head is fitted into
the wooden handle by means of a tang
epaule de mouton: steel defense for the complete arm; developed during the 15th and 16th
centuries; used exclusively in jousts
epee: French for sword.
epsilon axe: (eye axe) early axe form used in the ancient Middle East; head of cast copper or
bronze was fitted into a wooden handle by tangs; broad head made it suitable for use against
unarmoured foes since its penetration capabilities were not great
espadon: European two-handed sword of the 15th century
estoc: long, stiff and sharply-pointed sword for thrusting at the joints in plate armour, first introduced
in the second half of the fourteenth century
exchequer: financial department of the royal government, the chief officers of the Exchequer are
the Treasurer, the Chancellor and the Justiciar.
fakir's horns: Indian weapon made of horns; some have spear points attached to the ends of the
horns
falchion: 1. short, heavy, broad-bladed sword with a single edge, bearing a similarity to a heavy
scimitar 2. short, curved single-edged sword with a broad blade
fang: all iron Chinese weapon with two double-edged blades at the end
fauld: skirt of overlapping lames riveted to leather and protecting the wearer below the waist, usually
attached to a breastplate
firangi: straight-bladed sword; the hilts were padded and fitted with
spiked pommels
fist mace: iron or steel mace used in Europe shaped like a clenched
fist
flagellum: three-pronged whip used by the Romans; was ineffective against
heavy armor
flail: large foot soldier's weapon used in Europe; normally made of wood and reinforced with metal
bands; some were fitted with hooks to keep the head from swinging around
while marching
flamberge: European two-handed sword with a undulating blade
flat club: Samoan hardwood club, often elaborately carved; sharp edges on the head to improve
effectiveness
flaxen: pale-yellow in color: straw-colored
fletcher: arrow maker
fleuret: European fencing sword with a cup hilt
flyssa: sword with a straight-backed blade with a long point; often
the blades are inlaid with bronze
francisca: (axe/missle) from 6th-8th centuries it was normally used as a missile; standard tactic
was to hurl it at an enemy and then charge in with sword or spear; consists of a socketed, iron head
attached to a wooden haft; effective range was about 15 meters when
thrown
fukidake: a blowpipe not normally used in combat but rather to poison opponents; about two
meters in length, darts were fitted with paper cones on the ends to ensure an airtight fit; mouthpiece
was fitted off to the side of the main tube, a feature which prevented
the accidental inhaling of the dart;effective range was approximately ten
meters
fuller: broad groove running down the center of each side of some sword blades (usually to make
the sword lighter in weight, not to allow a "channel" for blood to drip off the sword as commonly
thought)
full moon: parrying weapon consisting of a steel ring attached to a handle with two curved blades
fitted to either end; outer edges of the ring and the blades are sharpened
gada: mace of wood with a stone head; normally the head is bound to
the handle
gala: sword with a carved wooden handle and no guard
galoshes: wooden-soled shoes with leather straps intended to protect shoes from rough stone
pavements
galraki: axe with socketed iron head, attached to a wooden handle
gambeson: quilted linen jacket stuffed with flax or rags, worn as a body defense by infantry and
over the hauberk by poor knights and sergeants
gamboised: A padded defense made of linen, flax or other fabric, sometimes reinforced and
studded. Gamboised cuisses were often worn as an early addition to mail chausses during the late
13th and early 14th centuries.
ganeugaodusha: deer-horn club of the Indians
ganjing: all iron club
gargaz: Indian mace with six to ten blades on the head made of steel, had padded hand guards,
and sometimes were richly engraved
garrett: a room within the roof of a house, an attic
garth: small piece of enclosed land next to a house, often a garden
garz: all steel Indian mace with no hilt; head is rather small and has
many flanges
gatlings: small joint defense on a finger gauntlet, usually attached to a leather or canvas base by
sewing or by rivets
gauntlet: 1. a medieval glove, usually of leather covered with metal plates, worn to protect the hand
from injury in combat 2. a long glove with a flaring cuff covering the
lower part of the arm
gilded: covered with a thin layer of gold-leaf
gladius: Short thrusting sword of the Romans, developed originally in bronze but more effective in
the later iron examples. Designed both for thrusting and for cutting
in close-in combat.
goddara: Turkish sword with a curved blade and padded hilt; often highly
decorated
goliah: heavy Indian sword with a padded hilt and spiked pommel; blade
is often engraved and inlaid
gorget: 1. piece of plate armour protecting the neck 2. plate defense covering the throat, meeting
the breastplate at the shoulders and chest
goupillon: steel, three-pronged horseman's flail used in Europe; head
could be spiked or plain
great bascinet: Late 14th early 15th century version of the bascinet where the mail aventail was
replaced with two steel plates, one in the front and one in back.
greaves: defense for the lower leg, usually made of plate
guige: the strap affixed to the back of the shield by which a shield could be carried over the
shoulder
gunsen: folding war fan with iron sticks used by the Japanese as a parrying
weapon
habergeon (haubergeon): mail coat, smaller than a hauberk
hachiwara: weapon normally consisted of a slightly curved, square-sectioned bar with a hook near
the grip; used as a parrying weapon
haik: (hyke) large piece of woolen or cotton cloth worn by Arabs as
an outer garment
hair pin: long metal pin used to hold the hair in place
haketon: leather jacket, sometimes reinforced with mail
halab: sword with a double- grooved blade and a padded hilt
halasan: sword with a cylindrical hilt made of horn and no guard
halberd: axe-headed polearm, usually with a rear and top spike
han-dachi: Japanese sword used with either one or two hands; fitted with a small, roughly circular
hand guard; carried thrust into the belt with the blade facing upwards
hammer (warhammer, martel): A weapon consisting of a hammer head on one side and a
spike on the other, sometimes mounted on a short handle for use in one hand and other times
mounted on a short shaft for use in foot combats. Warhammers and poleaxes were popularly used in
judicial duels or in combats associated with points of honor.
harness: originally, armour and other military equipment for a man or
horse
hatchet: common woodcutter's tool; socketed metal head is attached to
a wooden handle
haubergen: shorter version of the hauberk, a shirt made of mail, usually
laced down the sides
hauberk: 1. mail coat 2. armour of chain mail in the shape of a tunic to protect the body 3. mail
shirt covering the body as far as the knees, the arms ending in mittens, and with a hood for the head
heater shield: semi-cylindrical shield with a flat top edge
herebra: Phoenician sword with a double-edged, leaf-shaped blade OR straight-bladed Bornean
sword with a guardless wooden hilt
hoeroa: whalebone club with a double-curved blade and carved handle
holy water sprinkler: (morningstar) European mace made of wood and having numerous spikes
projecting from the head It was a common foot soldier's weapon
hoolurge: axe/pick made of steel; often elaborately carved or engraved
hora: horn knuckle-duster
horseman's hammer: war hammer made of iron or steel, used by mounted
fighters
houpelande: A garment common to nobility during end of the 14th century; characterized by long
flowing sleeves, sometimes dagged in many interesting patterns. Often worn as court attire and later
adopted in place of the surcoat, particularly in Germany during the
late 14th century.
hul-tho: bladed rope
hunga-munga: hooked throwing knife; blade is double-edged, and the handle is covered in
rawhide
hurlbat: iron throwing axe from Europe
ice pick: small tool consisting of a thin metal spike fitted into a
wooden handle
iverapena: paddle club made of hardwood and slightly pointed
iwatajinga: club consisting of a stone head attached to a wooden handle
jack: 1. defensive leather coat, either of several layers or quilted, often reinforced with metal studs or
small plates 2. canvas or leather jacket reinforced by metal or horn
plates stitched between the layers of material
jadagna club made of ironwood; sometimes fitted with a stone or metal
spike in the head
japurunga: wooden club with a double-pronged head
jaweti: square-sectioned club made of hardwood
jeddart axe: (also called a lochaber axe) Scottish variation of the halberd; the polearm weapon
consists of a hook on the reverse side of the blade which was used when scaling walls, a sharp point
at the top of the weapon, and a long blade
jerkin: 1. a short, close-fitting coat or jacket, often sleeveless, worn in the 16th and 17th centuries
2. a short, sleeveless vest worn by women and girls
jitte: Japanese parrying weapon consisting of an iron bar with a hook attached to one side; grip is
often woven cord or leather
jo: wooden Japanese staff slightly longer than the katana
jumgheerdha: straight-bladed sword with a padded hilt and hand guard
jupon: a tightly fitted garment resembling a leather tunic worn over armor (particulary chain mail) in
the 14th century, often blazoned with one's coat-of-arms.
kadjo: stone- headed axe; stone head consists of two parts attached to the wooden handle by tree
resin; one of the stones is blunt and the other sharp so the tool can
be wielded as either a hammer or an axe
kalus: whip commonly made of buffalo hide or rattan and fitted to a
handle of wood
kama: sickle consisting of a tanged steel head fitted into a wooden handle; fighting style often
utilizes two kamas, one in each hand
kamcha: whip made of leather or cord attached to a wooden handle and
often elaborately decorated
kan sin ke: Chinese whipping chain made of short metal bars joined together with links;
two-handed weapon
kantschar: steel Russian sword with a thin blade and drooping quillions
kapak: small throwing axe consists of a tanged metal head fitted into
a flat wooden handle
karabela: Turkish, and later Polish, sword consisting of a curved blade, short quillions and curved
hilt; often this weapon was highly decorated
kaskara: a straight, broad-bladed sword with a cross shaped hilt
kasrullah: club made of wood
kastane: sword often had European blades which were slightly curved and single-edged; handle,
pommel, and ends of the quillions are carved in the form of monsters' heads; entire hilt is often made
of silver or gold and inlaid with jewels
katti: a heavy, curved single-edged blade attached to an unguarded hilt; carried unsheathed in the
back from a belt
kauah: cylindrical stone throwing club
kauw: parrying weapon, usually used with one in each hand; a wooden staff with a sharp
semicircular blade fitted to one end; metal hand guard consisting of two half-moon shaped blades
connected by a crossbar
kawanaga: iron Japanese grapple attached to a long rope used to assist in climbing, tying up
prisoners or a horse, or as an entanglement weapon; two handed if used
as weapon
kerrie: wooden or horn throwing stick; end is sometimes sharpened and
used for stabbing
keerli: stone axe consists of a sharpened stone glued onto a wooden
handle
kettle hat: strong, light weight, open-faced helmet, having a conical
crown and wide brim
khanda: sword consists of a curved blade with a broad, sometimes blunt, tip; hilt is padded; a
spike on the end of the pommel acts as an arm guard and a grip for delivering
two-handed blows
kharga: sacrificial axe made of steel and usually elaborately carved
and engraved
kheten: Egyptian two-handed axe; bronze head was fitted into the wooden
haft
kiam bokiam: Chinese fighting and parrying metal stick with a hand guard
killj: sword with a curved blade fitted with a pistol grip handle
kirasoo: ironwood Indian spiral throwing stick
kirtle: 1. a short skirt worn by women 2. a long gown or dress worn by women 3. a long tunic worn
by men
kiseru: iron smoking pipe; also used to parry sword strikes, as well as deliver counter attacks
against a foe because of its metal construction
klappvisier: The first visored defense for the bascinet. The klappvisier featured a pointed (pignose)
or rounded (roundnose) snout to deflect arrows and bolts and a raised area around the eyes. It first
defended the area of the face not already defended by the aventail.
kledyv: ancient Welsh sword with a leaf-shaped blade
klewang: sword with a straight steel blade and an angled hilt; hilt is generally unguarded and
carved
knuckle duster: iron bar with finger holes in it to give weight to a punch; similar to modern 'brass
knuckles'
kodelly: axe consisting of a socketed steel head attached to a wooden handle; normally used as
protection against animals
konnung: straight, wooden stick from held in the center and used for
stabbing
kopsh: (sappara) ancient Egyptian bronze sword with a sicklelike blade; consists of a heavily
curved single-edged blade which widens at the tip
kotiate: club that is elaborately carved; known to be highly prized heirlooms; were often given
names by their owners; club was made of wood or whalebone and shaped
somewhat like a violin
kris: a double-edged, wavy-bladed knife/short sword designed primarily
for thrusting
kujerong: wooden club with a heavy, rounded end
kunnin: wooden throwing stick
kusarigama: metal Japanese parrying and whipping chain attached to a metal sickle with a hand
guard; chain is used to entangle an opponent's weapon or legs; used
with both hands
kyoketsu-shogi: Japanese ninja parrying weapon; a rope connects a metal ring and a forked
knife, could also be used to aid in climbing; used with both hands
laingtjat: flail that consists of two wooden rods, one about half the length of the other, attached
together by a short chain, often the shorter rod is sharpened
lames: narrow overlapping plates used to make the flexible parts of
an armour
lantern shield: Itallian shield weapon; consisted of a round buckler-type shield to which was
attached a number of offensive weapons; handle projected from the inside of the forward edge of the
shield which was grasped by the hand, protected by plate gauntlet; center
of the shield was fitted with a projecting spike; also made with a fitting
in front and the necessary hardware in back so a small lantern could be
attached to it (lanterns used by some fencers in effort to dazzle opponents)
lariat: 1. rope lasso used to entrap and ensnare; used both hands 2. Indian parrying shield/weapon
consisting of a leather or iron shield fastened over a curving pair
of buckhorns which point in opposite directions of one another; often the
horns are steel tipped
latten: Brass, Bronze or a mixture of the two; generally a copper base metal with elements of tin or
zinc plus other trace elements; often used to create armor with or to
decor armor
leonile: hardwood club
lil-lil: wooden fighting club from Australia; usually elaborately carved
lisan: Egyptian club or throwing stick made of palm wood
lohangi: Indian mace consisting of a bamboo shaft bound with strips of iron below where the head
is attached
lohar: small, steel fighting pick normally inlaid with silver and brass
lute: string musical instrument, shaped like half a pear and similar to a guitar, with six to thirteen
strings
mabobo: long, wooden club with a rounded head and squared handle
macana: club made of wood and having a rectangular section; the grip was covered with woven
cane, and the head sometimes fitted with a stone blade; these clubs
were sometimes thrown
mace: A short mass weapon similar to a heavy club.
mace & chain: European flail consisting of a spiked metal ball attached to a wooden handle by
means of a chain
machera: bronze Greek cutting sword with a straight single-edged blade; pommel was frequently in
the form of an animal's head
mail: 1. interwoven links of iron wire riveted together to form a kind of defensive metal cloth, highly
resistant to slashing but less effective against piercing or crushing
wounds
main gauche: left-hand daggers for rapier dueling
mandehi liguje: (coup stick) wooden spear
manople: gauntlet sword consisting of a double-edged blade with two
short, curved side blades
manpau: head-hunting sword which has a tanged steel blade that is slightly curved; hilt was made
of wood or deer horn, with no hand guard
manriki-gusari: metal parrying chain with weighted ends; used with one
weight in each hand
mantle: a loose, sleeveless cloak or cape
mantling: cloth decor suspended from a helmet, commonly illustrated
in armorial artwork
manor: 1. a small holding, typically 1200-1800 acres, with its own court and probably its own hall,
but not necessarily having a manor house; generally held by a knight
2. unit of rural lordship, varying greatly in size
maquahuilt: wooden club with obsidian blades set around its edges
martel de fer: war hammer with a metal mallet shaped head attached to
a wooden handle
masakari: battle-axe with a heavy metal head and a
point opposite the blade, attached to a wooden handle by a socket
masse: club-like weapon most often used in tournaments
massuelle: small, all metal mace; normally had four blades on the head
mattina: wooden club with shark's teeth fitted into opposite sides of
the head
maul (or mallet): a hammer-type weapon, with a heavy leaden head on a five-foot wooden shaft;
usually made entirely of wood and used with two hands
mazule: steel European mace with a pear-shaped, multi-bladed head
meat cleaver: butcher's tool for chopping meat; has a tanged metal blade fitted into a wooden
handle
meeri: wooden club with two short spikes on the end
mentok: sword with a slightly curved blade and a guardless wooden hilt
merai: (maori) jade club; usually consisted of one to three metal heads attached to a wooden
handle by chains
metacarpal: defense for back of the hand, usually a part of a gauntlet
metsubishi: Japanese weapon designed to blind an enemy; small, wooden box, either round or
square, which was hollowed out and could be opened; either end of the flat box was fitted with a
mouthpiece and a short tube; substances put into the box depending on desired outcome- ground
pepper and dust could blind
miner's axe: European axe consisting of a socketed steel head fitted onto a wooden handle; often
elaborately decorated and carried as symbols of rank
minstrel: poet and singer, also called a jongleur
mongwanga: iron throwing knife
monocle: an eyeglass for one eye
moot: court or meeting, common names for town courts
morning star: 1. form of mace, consisting of a spiked metal ball attached by a chain to a short
metal shaft 2. Five foot long club, its head studded with iron spikes
mugdar: thick, lead-weighted, wooden club
muragugna: wooden club with a deeply grooved head
nagan: sword with a serrated edge; hilt is padded and fitted with a
spiked pommel
nagegama: 1. iron Japanese chain weapon that consists of a short sickle-like blade attached to a
short handle which the chain is attached; thrown down upon attackers and then drawn up by the
chain; two handed weapon 2. small metal throwing rod or knife 3. throwing iron resembling a small
axe head
nawaz khani: slightly curved Indian sword with a disk pommel and reinforced
back
nil-li: wooden club with a grooved striking head; end is pointed for
use in stabbing
novacula: sickle-like tool consisting of a tanged, iron head fitted
into a wooden handle
nunchaku: grain thresher, or flail, used both as a weapon of defense and offense; consists of two
short wooden sticks joined together at one end by a short length of rope, leather or chain; normally a
two- handed weapon
oilskin: an oiled waterproof cloth used for coverings and garments
oncin: one-sided pick which has a socketed metal head fitted into a wooden handle and was used
with both hands
ox mace: mace made of metal; head was shaped like that of an ox's and often had holes in the
nostrils so that it whistled when swung
pacho: (tebutje) wooden club from the South Pacific with shark teeth
edges
pagaya: wooden, paddle-shaped club from Brazil
pahisa: sword with a broad, double-edged blade which widens at the tip
pahu: wooden club from New Zealand
pakayun: curved sword with a forked wooden pommel; blades were generally
elaborately engraved
palache: 17th century sword with a slightly curved blade and curved quillions; often highly
decorated with gold and silver
pantaloons: a bifurcated garment for a man, covering the body from the waist downwards, and
consisting of breeches and stockings in one
pappenheimer: European cut-and- thrust sword developed in the 17th century; hilt consisted of a
pair of oval guards pierced with holes, recurved quillions, and a knuckle
guard
parang bedak: sword with a butcher knife-shaped blade and a guardless
hilt
parang nabur: sword with a metal blade and bone hilt; quillions and knuckle guard are made of
brass or iron; hilt is generally highly ornamental
parang pandit: sword with a straight double-edged blade and bent hilt
pareh: stone axe in which head is attached to wooden handle by plant
resin
pattens: shoes, made with wooden soles set on iron rings, which raised the wearer above the wet
and mud of the streets
patu: short club made of basalt, bone, or jade
pauldron: curved plate worn in pairs to protect the front and rear of
the shoulder
pavise: 1. large, free-standing shield on hinged support used by archers as protection when
shooting 2. large rectangular shield carried by spearmen and used to
provide cover for crossbowmen
pedang: straight-bladed Malaysian sword with a cross guard
pendjepit: metal combat pincers used to grab, twist, and tear the flesh
of an enemy
periperiu: long wooden club from Australia with a blunt striking end
pernat: Russian mace consisting of an iron bead attached to a wooden
handle
petjut: whip/flail consists of a wooden handle with a shirt length of leather thong tipped with a ball of
knotted leather or sometimes a metal sphere fastened at the end
peudeneng: thin-bladed, curved bladed sword with a L-shaped hilt
pike: long spear with small iron head
plaque belt: military belt formed from interlocking metal plates or metal plates riveted to a leather
base
plate: A general term for iron defenses fashioned from sheet iron or steel. "Plate" defenses were
during the Middle Ages first introduced during the late 13th century, first as reinforcing for mail
defenses and later as defenses on their own.
plombee: lead-weighted mace with a wooden handle
podang: sword with a curved blade and a steel hilt with cross guards
polearm: The general term for a group of pole-mounted weapons usually featuring a cutting or
slashing weapon on one end. The halberd, guisarm, bill, bec-de-corbin, and poleaxe are all specific
kinds of polearms.
pommel: knob at the top of a sword-hilt, counterbalancing the weight
of the blade
poni: wooden club usually fitted with a woven cord grip
pourpoint: an arming garment worn under or as an aketon
pouwhenua: wooden staff flattened on one end and pointed on the other
puhah bemoh: two-handed sword with a long steel blade and two hand guards
puiouar: heavily curved indian sword with a metal hilt
purijimala: wooden Australian club
quaddara: Persian straight-bladed sword, often inlaid with gold; hilt
is of horn with no guard
quadrelle: small mace with four blades
quarterstaff: polearm weapon which was merely a long wooded pole
quillons: bar (usually iron) forming the crossguard of a sword or dagger
quirriang-an-wun: throwing club similar to a boomerang
quoit: steel Indian mace with a bead head of a heavy quoit and fitted
with a hand guard
rang-kwan: wooden club used primarily by women; long and is pointed
at both ends
rante: whipping chain designed to entangle an opponent's weapon or ensnare the legs or arms;
usually a two-handed weapon
rante ber gangedug: whipping chain with a T-shaped handle on one end and a sharpened metal
rod on the other; parrying weapon designed to entangle an opponent's weapon or ensnare legs or
arms
reiterpallasch: Danish cavalry sword with a straight blade and guarded
hilt
rerebrace: defense for the upper arm (arm greaves)
roundel: round metal attachment at the base of a polearm to keep the hands from sliding down the
shaft and onto the blade
rucksack: a kind of knapsack strapped over the shoulders
rungu: club generally made of one piece of wood; handle was generally sharpened so it could be
used as a stabbing weapon as well as a club
sabar: Indian pick made of steel
saboton (also called solleret): 1. an armored, pointed shoe 2. armor for the foot usually
consisting of plates ending in a toecap 3. armor for the foot made of
plate, mail, or other metal
sai: Japanese parrying baton; an iron bar with a leather covered grip and two small side hooks
mounted parallel to the bar; some sai had blades; often used in pairs
saintie: steel Indian parrying weapon; metal spear with a hand guard mounted in the center; some
had a small thrusting dagger concealed in the shaft
sallet: a light, rounded helmet with projecting neckguard and, often,
a visor, worn in the 15th century
samite: a heavy silk fabric worn in the Middle Ages: it was sometimes
interwoven with gold
sapakana: hardwood club
sapola: Indian sword with a curved blade and a forked point; pommel is decorated with the figure of
a griffin
sarissa: a polearm weapon measuring about 6 meters in length with a spear attached at the end;
used for jabbing or throwing
sassanid: straight single edged sword; unguarded straight hilt made
of horn
sa tjat koen: wooden three-sectioned Malaysian flail; used with both
hands
sauscitwerter: European hunting weapon normally used by the nobility; consisted of a
hand-and-a-half hilt; could be used with one or two hands if necessary
savage: axe that generally carried as a symbol of rank
scabbard: a sheath or case to hold the blade of a sword or dagger
schiavona: broadsword; used in the 16th century
scbnepfer: slightly curved Swiss sword with a broad hand guard and a
knuckle guard
schestopjor: mace with a many-bladed metal head
scimeter: broad-bladed curved sword with a small cross guard
scribe: A person who copied books by hand before the invention of printing.
scale armour: small rectangular plates of metal, attached to a leather or linen coat, lighter and
more flexible than mail
sego: metal parrying weapon; used to strike against the arms and head
of the enemy
shashpar: steel Indian mace with six blades and fitted with a hand guard
shoka: African battle-axe; triangular metal bead is fitted into a hardwood handle by means of a
short narrow tang
senangkas bedok: slightly curved Malaysian sword with wide grooves in
the blade
shakujo yari: wooden staff with a removable and hidden straight, double-edged steel blades;
requires both hands to use
shamshir: heavily curved, thick bladed sword; generally quite simple,
with no decoration
shashqa: consists of a slightly curved single-edged blade fitted into
an unguarded hilt
sheaf arrow: heavy armour piercing arrow used by longbowmen at close
range
shinobi-zue: wooden staff with a concealed blade fitted on the end;
two-handed weapon
shotel: sword with a double-edged blade which had a diamond-shaped cross section; the extreme
curvature of these swords made them nearly useless except for cuffing
attacks
shuko: iron palm guards with spikes on the palms for use with climbing; also used to parry sword
strikes
shuriken: metal knife or star
siangkam: long metal arrowhead attached to wooden handles; used in pairs for thrusting and
slashing
sickle: mace made of steel; striking head is a heavy curved blade and thus the weapon resembles
the various ancient sickle swords
silepe: axe consisting of a wide blade which is connected to the wooden handle by a flat tang;
wooden handle is sometimes reinforced by wire coils
singa: steel boomerang
sirohi: straight-bladed sword with a padded hilt, slightly curved examples exist also; often these
weapons were highly decorated
siwalapa: wooden club with a small cylindrical handle and a square striking
head
skull: crown of the helmet; the central defense for the upper portion
of the head
slung shot: (sap, or blackjack) club weapon consists of a lead weight with a flexible leather cover
handle woven over it
snood: 1. a tie or ribbon formerly worn around the hair, especially by young unmarried women 2. a
netlike bag worn at the back of a woman's head to hold the hair
sodang: broad-bladed Malaysian sword without a hand guard
sopok: 1. wooden blowpipe with an iron spearhead attached to the end; used with two hands 2.
shield weapon; small metal shield protecting the forearm to which was
fitted a blade or spike
sosunpattah: sword with a straight blade and a spiked pommel; often highly decorated with
engravings
spadroon: European cut-and-thrust sword with a light, flexible blade;
double-edged near the point
sparte: battle-axe consists of a broad socketed head fitted onto a wooden
handle
spatha: cavalry sword of the romans, between 36" - 40" in length, made from iron; double-edged
blade
spaulder: 14th and 15th century defense for the shoulder, featuring a small dished defense for the
shoulder point and a number of lames extending down the arm
spine sword: An Indian sword with a comb-like spring blade
sporran: large purse or pouch usually made of leather or animal fur, attached to waist in front of the
kilt when in full dress
stechtarsche: small ribbed German shield laced to the left shoulder; sometimes these shields
were made of cuirboille, painted, or gold leafed
suan-tou-fung: metal Chinese mace with globular head
sugarloaf: A transition helmet between the heaulm and the bascinet, where the skull of the helmet
was pointed like a bascinet and the sides enclosed like a heaulm.
sultani: slightly curved Indian sword with a hand guard
surai: sword with a curved tip and spiked pommel
surcoat: long flowing garment worn over armour
taavish: stone axe with the wooden handle carved at the end to represent a man's head; stone
blade is fitted into the handle and represents the tongue
tabard: short, loose garment, open at the side and having short, wide sleeves, worn in 15th century
by some knights
taber: steel battle-axe
tabar-i-zin: large two handed axe; socketed metal head fitted onto a
wooden shaft
takieh: short sword with a slightly curved blade and a broad pommel which could be used as a
crutch; often these weapons were highly decorated
takouba: straight, double-edged sword with no guard; its hilt is fitted with a crosspiece below the
pommel
tailbon: sword with a tanged blade fitted into a carved wooden handle
with a cane grip
talwar: sword with a curved blade and a padded hilt with a spiked pommel; often highly decorated;
one of the oldest forms of Japanese swords, it consists of a double-edged straight blade and metal
hilt; pommel is often in the shape of a ring
tam: (tam-o'shanter, tammy) woolen cap of Scottish origin
tambara: wooden club with two to four prongs at the end
tan-kiev: metal, sword-like parrying weapon; square-sectioned metal
bar with a swordlike hilt
taper: European axe; socketed metal bead fitted onto a wooden handle
targe: round or oval shield used by knights
tartan: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin consisting of stripes of varying width and color usu.
patterned to designate a distinctive clan
tashi: curved sword which is essentially the same the katana, differences between the two are the
fittings and the way they are worn - tashi is hung from the belt with
the edge downward and the katana is thrust into the belt with the edge
upward
tasset (taces): 15th century defense for the hips that attached to the fauld; usually a plate of iron
or steel, often featuring one or more fluted ribs and a thick rolled
edge for strength
tebutje: could be used as a sword or a club; made of light wood with shark teeth attached onto the
edges of the club
tebutje-pacho: heavy wooden club usually with obsidian or shark teeth edge for slashing;
two-handed weapon
tewha-tewha: wooden club with a long, tapering shaft and a quarter-circle shaped bead at one
end; feathers were hung from the head to flick them in the face of an
enemy in effort to confuse him
thin axe: European piercing axe
thinin: broad-bladed sword with an unguarded hilt; a European thrusting sword with a
diamond-sectioned blade
threadbare: shabby; worn down so that the threads show
thrusting axe: European axe; head has a long point extending up for
use in thrusting attacks
tiara: a woman's crownlike headdress of jewels, flowers, etc.
tiglun: club-like dagger made of ivory; might have been used by Eskimos
tindil: wooden club
tjabang: metal parrying weapon similar to the Sai
toki kakauroa: fighting axe; usually with elaborately carved bone or
wood handle
tomahawk: North American Indian combat axe and pipe; usually has a narrow iron blade fitted with
a pipe bowl opposite the blade, wooden handle is hollow and forms the
pipe stem
tonfa: wooden rice husking tool; as combat weapon it could block attacks when rested along the
forearm; also used to jab or club
tongia: axe with socketed iron head and a semicircular blade attached to a wooden handle;
sometimes used as a missile
toporok axe: Russian battle-axe
torse: a colorful cloth worn around the crown of the helmet, from which the mantling was attached
(used from the 13th century through the 15th, torses and mantling helped to identify knights in war
and provided a colorful expressive tool for tournaments and pageants
of the 15th century)
trident: parrying weapon consisting of a L-shaped wooden handle to which a five-pronged horizontal
head is attached
trombash: wooden throwing stick with an angled end
truncheon: 1. a short, thick staff, similar to a policeman's baton 2.
European club made of wood
tschekan: Russian war hammer with a steel head
tuagh-gatha: Scottish battle-axe
tungi: fighting axe with socketed steel head attached to a short wooden
handle
tunic: a loose, gownlike garment worn by men and women in ancient Greece and Rome 2. a
blouselike garment extending to the hips or lower, usually gathered
at the waist, often with a belt
turban: headdress worn by men in the Levant and by most Mohammedans of the male sex, but
also known to be worn by women in some Eastern cultures; consisting of a cap, and a sash, scarf, or
shawl, usually of cotton or linen, wound about the cap, and sometimes
hanging down the neck
uchi-ne: 1. short throwing dart made of wood with a metal head 2. wooden
throwing club
udlimau: fighting adze of hardwood, had a stone point fixed with resin
on the head
uramanta: throwing stick made of wood
vambrace: plate defense for the forearm
veecharoval: Indian scythe-type weapon consisting of a curved, metal blade attached to a
wooden handle
venmuroo: battle-axe consisting of a tanged, steel head fitted into an ebony wood shaft which is
reinforced with metal bands; often ornamented with silver and brass
ventail: mail or plate skirts attached to bascinets to protect the throat (mostly used during the the
14th and 15th century)
verdun: long European thrusting sword with a diamond or square-sectioned blade used in the 16th
century
vervelles: bronze, brass, or latten staples that attached to a bascinet to enable the leather cuff of
an aventail to be secured to the helmet
voulge: 1. a tool used for trimming trees 2. polearm weapon characterized by a broad axe-like
blade with a single spike protrusion at the top, often attached to a
wooden pole
wahaika: club made of wood or bone; often elaborately carved
wakerti: wooden paddle-shaped club
wakizashi: 1. shorter of the two swords which make up the Japanese dai-sho 2. used in ritualistic
suicide 3. African sword with a tanged metal blade fitted into a plain
wooden hilt
war hammer: piercing and impact weapon used in Europe; blunt hammerhead set opposite a
pointed pick mounted on a wooden shaft
watilikri: wooden throwing stick
weerba: hardwood club from Australia
wfrka: two-pronged wooden club from Australia
woodsman's axe: common tool generally used with two hands; consists of a socketed metal
head fitted onto a wooden handle
xiphos: bronze sword with a tanged metal blade fitted into a plain wooden
hilt
yatagan: a long knife or short saber that lacks a guard for the hand at the juncture of blade and hilt;
usually has a double curve to the edge and a nearly straight back
yeamberren: wooden club with a large conical head
zagbnal: steel pick or beaked axe from India; often engraved and inlaid
with gold
zweihander: (also called greatsword or two-handed sword) a two-handed sword that is extremely
heavy and used for slashing rather than thrusting
Allure or Wall-walk: passage behind the parapet of a castle wall
Apse: circular or polygonal end of a tower or chapel
Arcading: rows of arches supported on columns, free-standing or attached
to a wall (blind arcade)
Arrow Loop: A narrow vertical slit cut into a wall through which arrows
could be fired from inside
Ashlar: blocks of smooth, squared stone of any kind
Bailey or Ward: courtyard within the walls of the castle
Ballista: engine resembling a crossbow, used in hurling missiles or
large arrows
Barbican: an outwork or forward extension of a castle gateway
Barrel vault: semicircular roof of stone & timber
Bartizan: overhanging corner turret
Bastion: a small tower at the end of a curtain wall or in the middle
of the outside wall
Battlement: a narrow wall built along the outer edge of the wall walk
to protect soldiers against attack
Belfry: tall, movable wooden tower on wheels, used in sieges
Brattice: (see hoarding)
Buttery: room for the service of beverages
Concentric: having two sets of walls, one inside the other
Crenelation: a notched battlement made up of alternate crenels (openings)
and merlons (square sawteeth)
Cross-wall: an internal dividing wall in a great tower
Curtain wall: a castle wall enclosing a courtyard
Cut: assault tower
Corbel: stone bracket projecting from a wall or corner to support a
beam
Donjon: the inner stronghold (keep) of a castle
Drawbridge: a wooden bridge leading to a gateway, capable of being raised
or lowered
Drum Tower: a round tower built into a wall
Dungeon: the jail, usually found in one of the towers
Enceinte: an enclosing wall, usually exterior, of a fortified place
Embrasure: the low segment of the altering high and low segments of
a battlement
Escalade: scaling of a castle wall
Finial: a slender piece of stone used to decorate the tops of the merlons
Forebuilding: a projection in front of a keep or donjon, containing
the stairs to the main entrance
Garderobe: latrine
Gate House: the complex of towers, bridges, and barriers built to protect
each entrance through a castle or town wall
Hall: principle living quarters of a medieval castle or house
Hoarding: covered wooden gallery affixed to the top of the outside of
a tower or curtain to defend the castle
Inner Ward or Inner Bailey: open area in the center of a castle
Keep: the inner stronghold of the castle
Loophole: slit in wall for light, air, or shooting through
Machicolation: a projection in the battlements of a wall with openings
through which missiles could be dropped on besiegers
Mangonel: stone:throwing machine worked by torsion, used as a siege
weapon against castles
Merlon: part of a battlement, the square "sawtooth" between crenels
Meurtriere: arrow loop, slit in battlement or wall to permit firing
of arrows or for observation
Moat: a deep trench usually filled with water that surrounded a castle
Motte: an earthwork mound on which a castle was built
Murder Holes: a section between the main gate and a inner portcullis
where arrows, rocks, and hot oil could be dropped from the roof thoughholes
Oilette: a round opening at the base of a loophole
Oriel or Oriel Window: projecting room on an upper floor, later an upper-floor
bay window
Oubliette: a dungeon reached by a trap door
Palisade: a sturdy wooden fence built to enclose a site until a permanent
stone wall could be constructed
Parapet: protective wall at the top of a fortification, around the outer
side of the wall:walk
Portcullis: vertical sliding wooden grille shod with iron suspended
in front of a gateway, let down to protect the gate
Postern Gate: secondary gate or door
Putlog Hole: a hole intentionally left in the surface of a wall for
insertion of a horizontal pole
Ram: battering ram
Revet: face with a layer of stone, stone slabs etc., for more strength.
Some earth mottes were revetted with stone.
Sapping: undermining, as of a castle wall
Screens: wooden partition at the kitchen end of a hall, protecting a
passage leading to the buttery, pantry, and kitchen
Solar: originally a room above ground level, but commonly applied to
the great chamber or a private sitting room off the great hall
Springald: war engine of the catapult type, employing tension
Trebuchet: war engine developed in the Middle Ages employing counterpoise
Turning Bridge: a drawbridge that pivoted in the middle
Turret: a small tower rising above and resting on one of the main towers,
usually used as a look out point
Wall Walk: the area along the tops of the walls from which soldiers
could defend the castle
Ward: courtyard or bailey