Voulge

File:L'Adoration des mages, Heures d'Étienne Chevalier.jpg

The Adoration of the Magi from the Livre d'heures d'Étienne Chevalier 1455). The leftmost character is holding a voulge

A voulge (also spelled vouge,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> sometimes called a couteau de breche) is a type of polearm that existed in medieval Europe, primarily in 15th century France.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Description

A voulge would usually have a narrow single-edged blade (sometimes with a secondary edge on the back) mounted with a socket on a shaft. The weapon could additionally feature shaft reinforcements called langets and rondel protection for the hands at the base of the blade.<ref name=europeanpolearms.blogspot>Template:Cite web</ref> Troops that used the weapon are called voulgiers.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It is a weapon noted to have been used by the Franc-Archers<ref name="europeanpolearms.blogspot" /> and is also depicted in artwork of their creation.

File:The Dukes of Berry and Burgundy Departing from Paris to Meet with the Duke of Bretagne 2.jpg

Late XV century depiction of men on foot holding vouges from the Chroniques de Froissart

There is a popular erroneous definition of the word voulge in modern times, which refers to a pointy cleaver-like weapon blade attached to the shaft with two hoops like a bardiche. This definition is incorrect and started in the 19th century with Viollet le Duc, and the weapon in question is an early form of halberd.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

• Voulges depicted in the hands of Franc-Archers
  Voulges depicted in the hands of Franc-Archers

See also

• Lochaber axe
• Bill (weapon)

References

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