Halberd
The halberd is a two handed pole weapon that has a axe blade topped with a spike mounted on a long shaft and a hook or thorn on the back side of the axe blade. The Halberd was popular during the 14th and 15th centuries. The Halberd is still the ceremonial weapon of the Swiss Guard in the Vatican.
Halberd Media
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.
A late 14th/early 15th century Halberd from Fribourg
Chinese deity holding a yue
Different sorts of halberds and halberd-like pole weapons in Switzerland
Citizens of Zürich on 1 May 1351 are read the Federal Charter as they swear allegiance to representatives of Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne. One of the representatives carries a typical Swiss halberd of the period depicted (as opposed to the time the image was made, 1515).
Saint Wiborada is often (anachronistically) depicted with a halberd to indicate the means of her martyrdom.
