Threshal

By Crusader1307

What originally developed as a Farming implement, The Threshal became an effective Close Quarters used by Peasant (Conscript) Forces and Melee Troops. Although some form of hand-held Threshal Device have existed since before the 2nd Century BC, they were in common usage throughout most of Europe by the 13th Century. The Threshal was constructed of 2 pieces of wood, connected by a length of cord or chain. This extension was normally no more that 2 to perhaps 3-inches in length. The Main Component piece (held in the Hands), was a wooden Staff roughly 4 to 5-feet in length. The extension feature a much smaller piece of wooden Staff, around 1.5 t0 2-feet long. In regular operations, The Threshal was “swung” in a circular or left to right motion – applied to Wheat, Barley Stocks or related. Through practice and skill, a Harvester could “whip” the upper seeding from the stalk directly onto the ground or even “snap” off the stalk (very much as a “cut”). The Threshal could also be used to “smash up” the removed seed – as a form of pre-grounding.
 

However, when Peasants were conscripted into War by their Nobles, they often had no formal weapons or training for that manner. Often, Peasants would use Pitchfork (the later “Military Fork”), sharpened wooden sticks (makeshift Spears), Sickles, etc. The Threshal too became an effective “weapon of War” as well. A skilled User could “whip” a Threshal very much a “spinning” Club of sorts – becoming a bludgeoning weapon, capable of extreme blunt force trauma (especially to lightly Armored or Troops). Examples of the use of Threshals as weapons in War are well documented in The Hundred Years Wars.