Description
Have you heard of the "Bondeøks"? It has a peculiarly curved haft, sometimes with a sharp, almost 90-degree bend that rotates the edge of the axe upward.
They were used by militias of free farmers, obligated by the king to defend the country in case of an attack from the outside. Along with a Tessak (a complex hilted saber), a spear, and a musket or crossbow, depending on the farmer's wealth.
What's the practical purpose of these? It's hard to say for sure, but let's talk about it!
*** Sources / Credits ***
Background music (intro):
"Spirit Waltz" by Horrorpen
https://opengameart.org/content/spirit-waltz
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)
Norwegian farmers' battle axes at Digitaltmuseum
https://digitaltmuseum.org/search?q=bonde%C3%B8ks
Norwegian Tesak saber
https://digitaltmuseum.no/011021909215/sabel
https://digitaltmuseum.no/011023246668/sabel
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Norwegian_farmers%27_weapons_axes_clothing_17th_c._Bondebev%C3%A6pning_%C3%98ks_Drakt_1600-tallet_Army_museum_Forsvarsmuseet_Oslo_Norway_2019-03-31_DSC01498.jpg
Information about the Tesak and Dussack
https://norskevaapen.no/?p=1776
https://hroarr.com/article/the-dussack/
Scandinavian battle axe at the Cleveland Museum of Art
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.1601
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