A voulge (also spelled vouge, sometimes called couteau de breche) is a type of pole weapon that was especially common in 15th-century France. The voulge usually had a narrow, single-edged sharp blade, sometimes with an extra cutting edge on the back.
The blade was attached to a shaft via a ring. Often the weapon had reinforcements on the shaft, so-called langets, for extra protection of the shaft. Some voulges had a roundel at hand level that protected the hand like a crossguard.
Soldiers who used this weapon are called voulgiers. The weapon was used, among others, by the Franc-Archers, archers from France in the 15th century who were called up by the king from ordinary citizens to strengthen the army. The voulge is regularly depicted in 15th-century artworks.
A common mistake is thinking that a voulge is a pointed axe that is attached to the shaft with two rings, like a bardiche. This explanation is incorrect and only arose in the 19th century through Viollet le Duc.
Sometimes halberds were also called Swiss voulges. This seems to suggest that the early halberds developed from the voulge.
Internal links
- Guisarme: Medieval pole weapon with hook and axehead
- Glaive: Medieval pole weapon for foot soldiers and cavalry
- Halberd: Medieval pole weapon and ceremonial axe
- Bill: agricultural weapon, pole weapon and English war weapon
Sources:
- Visual Source: Images of the French Francs-Archers (established by Louis XI) in 15th-century manuscripts.
- Museum Collection: Musée de l'Armée (Paris) for authentic French and Swiss voulges.
