What does this Pollaxe tell us about the early global world?
Pollaxes were effective, multi-faceted weapons. This particular pollaxe was ornate and suited for a nobleman. It witnessed a culture that valued military prowess in battle as well as displays of status, including celebration of noble lineage with all its pageantry. Such values around showmanship would especially be present in sporting events, like the joust, in which competitors would wear heavy plate armor, like the Composite Stechzeug from Nuremberg, which a pollaxe could have punctured. The pollaxe was used in tournaments drawing diverse audiences and participants, including foreigners who appreciated the warlike spectacle as much as the locals did.
Amanda Sopchockchai, Class of 2027, College of the Holy Cross
