Halberd

Timeline

1. c. 1250–1320Switzerland and southern Germany · SwitzerlandThe composite axe-spear-hook head took shape among the infantry of the northern Alpine foothills; combined with dense formations and terrain advantages, the halberd became an effective tool against heavy cavalry, laying the foundation for the later reputation of Swiss mercenaries.
2. c. 1340–1450Battlefields of France and the Low Countries · FranceBy the 1330s–1340s, halberds were widely issued among Swiss and German mercenaries and the infantry of various states; around battles such as Crécy and Poitiers, halberd formations, together with longbows, crossbows, and early artillery, formed the infantry system of Western European battlefields.
3. c. 1500–1600Europe · EuropeAfter pike-and-firearm combined formations became dominant, the halberd's core role in open-field battle declined, but it was retained for city defense, guards, and ceremony; units such as the Swiss Guard continued to use the halberd as a symbol of status and ritual.