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Battle Axe Use Reconstruction Back to NEOHEMAS homepage. Below are four wards based on the information that George Silver puts forth in his manuals. Thanks to Paul Wagner of the Stoccata School of Defence for checking over these pictures and offering up some constructive criticism. Notes For practical purposes you will lie in the Low Ward, Open Ward and High Ward, leaving the Guardant as a transitional position. As with the other material from George Silver, there is a good deal of passing from a right foot forward to a left foot forward and vica versa when utilizing these wards. Two veiws of the Low Ward with the right foot forward. The picture on the right seems to go along more with period sources allowing for a more powerful downright blow from the ward. Silvers battle axe measures out at 5', the waster axe I am pictured with is only 46" so it falls far short of the ideal length for Silver. The exact form of the battle axe that Silver discusses is a bit of a mystery. The only real info he gives is the height, which I meantioned before was 5'. The only people using what could be considered a battle axe of that size during Silvers time and region  were the Irish Galloglas. My theory is that this is the axe he was speaking of. Considering that there were Galloglas in the service of the royal houses of both the English and the Anglo-Irish in Ireland, I don't think this is too far of a stretch. George Silver was also a friend of the English commander of the forces sent to reconquer Ireland at the end of the 16th century, so there is that link as well. The Open Ward. This ward is basically the low ward but with the left foot forward. When standing in the Low Ward, pass either forward or back into the Open Ward. Four Wards With The Head Four wards using the head of the axe. One upwards, one down and one each to either side. These wards work better with the bill as described in Silver but still with a bit of practice can be used with the axe. Two views of the High Ward. The position of the hands and angle of the haft depend on the angle of attack. The Guardant Ward. This ward is the same as the High Ward except that the left foot is in the lead. One way to take this ward is to pass either forward or backward from the High Ward. MORE The True Cross   page created with Webpage Designer (NS)