Amanda Sopchockchai, Class of 2027, College of the Holy Cross

This pollaxe was made for a knight or other man-of-arms to bring into battle. A pollaxe was particularly useful in quarterstaff fighting, a mode of combat involving staffs, which might take place either during war or a tournament. The pollaxe’s blade could have been used to disable an opponent, either by tripping him or by disarming him, and the spear tip and hammer face could serve to carry out thrusts. This weapon would have been favored for the express purpose of breaching an opponent’s plate armor, as the axeblade or the thrusting tip were strong enough to cleave or pierce steel. The pollaxe would need to penetrate not only the sturdy steel but also any layers of cloth worn over armor, including a surcoat or tabard. These could be worn to prevent armor from rusting and also to display heraldry, including an individual's coat-of-arms.  Heraldry was a form of identity, visually displayed during war or to the crowds at a tournament.