The Francisca and its Use

In the early middle ages, the francisca was used as a ranged combat weapon. Shaped like an axe but designed for throwing at targets, this weapon was utilized mainly by the Franks (hence the name) during the reign of Charlemagne. Depending on the wielder, the francisca could be thrown up to 40ft and had the potential to crush the shields and armaments of the opponent with ease.



 
                                            

Procopius describes the use of the francisca "...each man carried a sword a shield and an axe. Now the iron head of this weapon was thick and exceedingly sharp on both sides while the wooden handle was very short. And they are accustomed always to throw these axes at one signal in the first charge and thus shatter the shields of the enemy and kill the men." One unexpected strength to this weapon was its likeliness to bounce off the ground unpredictably and swipe the legs of any unsuspecting opponent. Tactics that favor this unpredictable bounce were quickly adopted and implemented into the battle strategy--infantry would throw their axes in conjunction and break through the front lines of shields quickly and efficiently.

Works Cited:

International, American. “Medieval Weapons & Armour.” Medieval Weapons, www.medievalwarfare.info/weapons.htm#franciscas. Accessed 7 Sept. 2017.