Discussion: The Italian Spetum is also known as the Corseca in English, the Korseke in German, and Corseque in French.  The spetum is a variant of the brandistocco with the side wings turned outwards and the tips slightly down.

 The staff weapon was an essential weapon of the Middle Ages for multiple reasons: 1) Staff weapons such as the spetum have a significant advantage related directly to their length.  This reach advantage allows the man-at-arms to effectively attack without needing to defend himself from attacks. 2) Staff weapons, like the spetum under discussion, could be used to stop the cavalry charge, which was one of the most devastating strategies of the Medieval and Renaissance periods. 3) Since much of the staff weapon was made from wood, they were inexpensive and easy to manufacture. Because the design of the head was relatively simple, they could be made by a village blacksmith. 4) Staff weapons are easy to use, requiring relatively little training to become competent in their use. 5) Staff weapons could be multipurpose weapons. For example, the spetum under discussion is a spear with two flukes (wings) to dismount a knight from his horse. 6) Staff weapons require the use of multiple large muscles; therefore, the body fatigues more slowly. 7) Since staff weapons are long and provide leverage, they generate high-impact, deep penetrating strikes.