Medeival Geeks! Is There a Term for a Mace-Wielder?

[the Jester]

Other than something like "maceman"?

"Macer"?

Something, I dunno, cooler?

Thanks!

 

[Cryptos]

Some variety of mace was employed by soldiers and individuals of all stripes and titles, from peasant to foot soldier to cavalry. However, there is this...

The mace was the usual weapon of the cavalieri, essentially mercenary armies of Northern Italy hired by Italian city-states and throughout Europe starting in the 14th Century.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I dunno, I know it was a pretty common weapon for mounted and dismounted knights who would be facing other plate-amoured knights, since it actually did severe damage to them.

 

[Rechan]

I seem to recall that maces were an ornamental weapon often held by priests.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I seem to recall that maces were an ornamental weapon often held by priests.

Hmm... Another reason (wasn't there something about Clerics not being allowed to spill blood at one stage) for why Clerics usually are seen with maces?

 

[knightofround]

Curmudgeon (hah~!)

 

[Cryptos]

Hmm... Another reason (wasn't there something about Clerics not being allowed to spill blood at one stage) for why Clerics usually are seen with maces?

More from Wikipedia...

It is popularly believed that maces were employed by the clergy in warfare to avoid shedding blood (sine effusione sanguinis). The evidence for this is sparse and appears to derive almost entirely from the depiction of Bishop Odo of Bayeux wielding a club-like mace at the Battle of Hastings in the Bayeux Tapestry, the idea being either that he did so to avoid shedding blood or bearing the arms of war. The fact that his brother Duke William carries a similar item suggests that, in this context, the mace may have been simply a symbol of authority. [1] Certainly, other Bishops were depicted bearing the arms of a knight without comment, such as Archbishop Turpin who bears both a spear and a sword named "Almace" in the The Song of Roland or Bishop Adhemar of Le Puy, who also appears to have fought as a knight during the First Crusade, an expedition that Odo joined and died during.


Much of the popularity of this view can be attributed to the Dungeons and Dragons game, which often limited its cleric class to bludgeoning weapons, at first influenced by the popular belief, and later on to reduce the class's power in battle, a rule that was widely imitated.

So, some guy named Bishop Odo and D&D are largely the reason why maces are associated with clergy.

 

[doctorhook]

So, some guy named Bishop Odo and D&D are largely the reason why maces are associated with clergy.

Interesting...

Chalk up another point for "Arguments Against Reality in D&D".

 

[justanobody]

Footmen. They can carry many types of weapons.

Footman's Lance, etc....

Being an uncivilized weapon it really didn't have a name for one who specialized in them. The average man could use a club to beat someone wish, so an upgraded club was given to fill in the ranks where no skill or knowledge of use was needed.

 

[Woas]

I remember in the old video game Lords of the Realm 2 they just called them Macemen. Not that the game has any historical or literary weight to it, at all. But the name seems simple enough.