Ranseur

A ranseur were specialized spears in the pole arm family.

Description
Ranseurs were had long, tapered tips with two wing-like projections at their base. These secondary barbs projected out at about 45&deg; from the center line, but were curved backward. The base of their heads were often indented, forming a trap between the head and secondary tines. Their shafts were typically long.

Weaponology
Mainly a thrusting weapon, the ranseur's secondary barbs added some defensive capability to the basic spear. In addition, the trap at the base of their head could be used to entangle an enemy weapon and, with a twist of the shaft, bend or break the weapon and significantly increase the chance to disarm an opponent. Of course the barbs could also be used to pull a rider off its mount.

Due to their length, ranseurs had be wielded two-handed by human-sized creatures. Ranseurs, like most pole arms, were very effective in large numbers, in combination with other types of forces, and when wielded by well-trained troops. For these reasons it was often considered a martial weapon.