Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - A FRENCH falx-like object?

Emanuel · 17th March 2007, 04:15 PM

Hello,

I ran accross some pictures from a 13th century French manuscript, "Les Coutumes de Toulouse" and I found something that shattered some of my ideas about the falx weapon. In several scenes it portrays people carrying what is essentially a falx in a ceremonial context.
I wouldn't call it a rhomphaia, since the hooked tip is very distinct and has a very acute angle. The excavated examples of rhomphaia have much smaller curvature.

The illustrations would suggest either that such things were common in 13th century France, that a weapon from the Vlach or Bulgarian states made its way to France, or that this is simply some form of pole-arm - a cutdown variant of a guisarme perhaps.

I am just starting to research this document, but does anyone have any comments to make about it?

Regards,
Emanuel

17th March 2007, 04:15 PM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	A FRENCH falx-like object? Hello, I ran accross some pictures from a 13th century French manuscript, "Les Coutumes de Toulouse" and I found something that shattered some of my ideas about the falx weapon. In several scenes it portrays people carrying what is essentially a falx in a ceremonial context. I wouldn't call it a rhomphaia, since the hooked tip is very distinct and has a very acute angle. The excavated examples of rhomphaia have much smaller curvature. The illustrations would suggest either that such things were common in 13th century France, that a weapon from the Vlach or Bulgarian states made its way to France, or that this is simply some form of pole-arm - a cutdown variant of a guisarme perhaps. I am just starting to research this document, but does anyone have any comments to make about it? Regards, Emanuel Attached Images Last edited by Manolo; 17th March 2007 at 04:26 PM.