Hanbals Hammer (or Maul)

Hi guys

Following my trip to Spring War, there was again some interest (from new people) as to the nature of my hammer and what it is based on (I'll update this post soon with some pictures).

Here is the (only slightly) amended text that I sent out to various lists many years ago following initial concerns raised at the time.

Some people have been curious with regards to the usage of the oversized hammer that I utilise as a weapon in SCA combat (mainly war).

Please note that this weapon is a representation of the medieval Maul (a word originally derevated from "mallet"). Originally a peasants work implement, made of wood, these were often utilsed when war came about. They were on some occasions already faced with lead (to increase their longevity) and when utilised for warfare were commonly bound with heavy iron or steel strapping. Also as an additional means of causing injury in war, sometimes spikes were added to the faces as well as on occasion the top.

Mauls were a constant implement of warfare through the middle ages - early on only utilised by the peasants but in later times they became a semi-standard item of equipment. Mauls are listed as a secondary weapons for English longbowmen at the Battle of Agincourt.

There is a great deal of information available on the internet, and indeed many mentions of the Maul as a weapon (including a number of references through the history of the SCA).

I am more than happy to discuss its usage, history and physics of the weapons striking & thrusting with anyone.

Keep the dream alive.

Hanbal