A spetum is a
pole weapon
A polearm or pole weapon is a close combat weapon in which the main fighting part of the weapon is fitted to the end of a long shaft, typically of wood, thereby extending the user's effective range and striking power. Polearms are predominantly ...
that was used in
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
during the 13th century. It consists of a pole, some 6–8 feet long, on which is mounted a
spear
A spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a pointed head. The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with fire hardened spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fasten ...
head with two projections at its base. Many variations of this design flourished over time; some feel that the
ranseur
A ranseur, also called roncone, was a pole weapon similar to the partisan used in Europe up to the 15th century. It was still seen in court as a ceremonial weapon through the 17th century.
Often thought to be a derivation of the earlier spetum ...
is a variation of the spetum. Other names include ''chauve souris'', ''corseca'', ''corsèsque'', ''korseke'', ''runka'', and ''rawcon''. The spetum is usually distinguished from the
ranseur
A ranseur, also called roncone, was a pole weapon similar to the partisan used in Europe up to the 15th century. It was still seen in court as a ceremonial weapon through the 17th century.
Often thought to be a derivation of the earlier spetum ...
and
partisan
Partisan may refer to:
Military
* Partisan (weapon), a pole weapon
* Partisan (military), paramilitary forces engaged behind the front line
Films
* ''Partisan'' (film), a 2015 Australian film
* ''Hell River'', a 1974 Yugoslavian film also know ...
by its "prongs" being single edged and used for slashing. The main blade is 12–14 inches long, and the side blades are only about half that length and are set at acute angles.
The design of a spetum is for combat. The main blade is long enough to destroy any significant organ in the human body with a thrust. The side blades could bind weapons, similar to a
jitte
A is a specialized weapon that was used by police in Edo period Japan (1603 – 1868).
History
In feudal Japan, it was a crime punishable by death to bring a sword into the ''shōgun''s palace. This law applied to almost everyone, including the ...
or
sai. The blunt backs of the side blades give the spetum a variety of uses such as tripping and knocking aside shields while providing far more strength to the sharpened side and points than is possible with a dual-edged construction.
Polearms
{{Polearm-stub