voulge

A voulge is a medieval European polearm characterized by a broad, single-edged blade mounted on a long wooden shaft. The blade is wide and flat, often with a curved or slightly hooked profile, designed primarily for chopping and cleaving rather than thrusting. Some examples include a small hook or beak near the base of the blade to aid in pulling aside shields or trapping an opponent’s weapon. The weapon is typically used with two hands, though shorter shafts allowed variation in use.

Originating in northern France during the 13th or 14th century, the voulge became common among infantry and militia forces in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was valued for its cutting power against lightly armored targets and its ability to break through gaps in formations. The voulge was widely employed by French urban militias and mercenary troops during the later phases of the Hundred Years’ War and remained in limited use into the early 16th century, as more versatile polearms and firearms emerged.

In terms of classification, the voulge is sometimes placed among the family of glaive-type polearms, though it differs from true glaives and halberds in its blade geometry and lack of a dedicated thrusting point. Variants and regional reproductions show a range of blade shapes and haft lengths, reflecting its functional role as a heavy cutting weapon for infantry scenarios rather than a standardized battlefield tool.