2050 Morning Star
2050) EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION MORNING STAR STAFF WEAPONS FROM A GERMAN NOBELS COLLECTION: No weapon gets more attention from people viewing a collection than a Morningstar. You can acquire all three or just one. To this day, the Morningstar is still found in armories throughout Europe since staff weapons are still considered a 3rd tier weapon of defense for the state.
Introduction: These examples are the epitome of this typology of weapon. All three are in superb condition. They come from a Nobles armory. The Morningstar (Morgenstern) was used in Europe for over 500 years, and the construction did not change. Therefore, it’s difficult to date accurately. These examples almost certainly from 1550 to as late as 1700.
To this day, armories throughout Europe still have Morningstar staffs. Why such a long time? Because it’s a highly effective weapon with multi-use that the village blacksmith could easily and inexpensively make. You could learn how to use it in a very short period. It was not a Knightly weapon; instead, it was used by militias, peasants, and man-at-arms who had to equip themselves and could not afford expensive Knightly weapons or the time to learn how to use them.
Discussion: A variant of the Morningstar, the “goedendag” (see page 46 in my book), was instrumental in the defeat of the French Knights during the Battle of Courtrai (Golden Spur). The citizens of Flanders rebelled against the annexing French army of King Philip IV and stormed the French garrison at Courtrai castle. The French responded by sending a highly trained military force consisting of 2,500 mounted knights (noblemen) and 5,500 heavily armed infantry under the command of Robert of Artois. The mounted knight was the doomsday weapon of its day. The Flemish responded with a mere 400 mounted knights and 8,600 untrained Flemish militia, most of whom were members of the local weavers’ guild. On the surface, this looks like an easy victory for the French. However, the French victory quickly became more like David and Goliath.
What was the Flemish secret to victory?
The Flemish dug deep ditches in marshy terrain surrounded by streams and moats, neutralizing the cavalry charge. The unfortunate knight who made it through the knee-high mud would soon be met with a wall of pikes (long-hafted spears). The charging French knights (many of whom were dismounted) were quickly and easily killed.
The Flemish had an inexpensive weapons innovation that was easy to mass-produce and master without years of training. The “goedendag” is a long, heavy club with spikes and a spear tip similar in concept and design to the Morningstar. Wave after wave of charging French infantry met the same outcome.
Description:
A) Constructed from a long, thick wooden haft, the spherical head bristling with a series of diamond-shaped embedded steel point spikes with a long triangular spike at the top, tapering to a sharp point. The head is held in place with a ferrel at the top. It has a beautiful caramel colored patina throughout. The haft shows the wear and separation you would expect from such an old wooden weapon. Has an inventory control number in red B 48. Condition: Very good but missing one spike as is common with Morningstar’s. Approximate Length: 76 inches. Condition: Good.
B) Constructed from a short 39-inch-thick wooden haft, the spherical head bristling with a series of diamond-shaped embedded steel point spikes with a long spear at the top, tapering to a sharp point. A tapering haft with knob at the finial to secure a grip. It has a beautiful caramel colored patina throughout. Condition: Good.
C)Constructed from a short wooden haft, the spherical head bristling with a series of diamond-shaped embedded steel point spikes with a long triangular spike at the top, tapering to a sharp point. The head is held in place with a ferrel at the top. It has a beautiful deep brown chocolate colored patina throughout. The haft shows the wear you would expect from such an old wooden weapon, and some worm holes. Length: 28 inches.
Provenance: From the armory of a German Nobles’ collection.
Conclusion: A great and inexpensive addition to any collection that stands out. Dollar for dollar, a superb Medieval/Renaissance collectible weapon of destruction that survived unchanged for hundreds of years. The stories they could tell.
This is a time capsule of Renaissance military history !!!*
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