The Armour Archive

The other weapon which is a borderline case is the morning star. This club adaptation was typically a heavy wooden haft from 3' to 5' or more in length, atop which was set a cylinder, barrel, or truncated cone, also of wood, metal-bound, and set with vicious metal spikes. Also called the holy water sprinkler (or godentag in the Low Countries), it was a favorite of the peasants, for it was easy to make and could lay low the best armored opponent at a blow. For some time it was used extensively by the Swiss, although the halberd eventually replaced it. The weapon was often tipped with a spear point in its longer form, so that some models were long enough to be pole arms. Some military picks were also pole-mounted, having shafts of 5 (1.5m) feet or greater in length.