Bardiche

A bardiche /bɑːrˈdiːʃ/ or berdiche ("long poleaxe") is a type of pole weapon known in the 16th and 17th centuries in Eastern Europe. Ultimately a descendant of the medieval sparth (Danish axe), the bardiche proper appears after 1500, but there are numerous medieval manuscripts that depict very similar weapons beginning c. 1250. The bardiche differs from the halberd in having neither a hook at the back nor a spear point at the top.

Use of bardiches started in early 15th century Russia (some sources name the late 14th century), and in Scandinavia in the late 15th century. In the 16th century the bardiche became a weapon associated with streltsy (Russian guardsmen armed with firearms).

Description

The blade varied greatly in shape, but was most often a long, cleaver type blade. The distinction was in how the blade was attached to the pole. The bardiche blade was attached to the pole either via two sockets (one at the top of the pole and one lower, at the base of the blade) or one socket at the top and one surface mount at the base, effectively mounting the heavy blade to the wooden shaft. This construction is also seen in Scottish polearms, such as the Lochaber axe and Jeddart staff, and bardiches are known to have been imported into Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries Depending on the design of the particular weapons in question, at times a bardiche may greatly resemble a voulge.