Flail
- Names: Mace and chain; ball and chain; morningstar (or morning
star)
- In Redwall: Used by Ferahgo in Salamandastron.
- Origin: Europe
- Time Period: Medieval time period (exact time unknown)
- Description: There were several versions of the flail, though the
most popular was the mace-and-chain style, or a spiked head suspended on a
chain from the end of a short stick. When two chains were hung from the pole,
it was called a double flail. Three chains was a triple flail, and so
on. The handle was typically twelve to sixteen inches long, with a
normally six-inch long chain. The metal ball usually weighed four to six
pounds.
- Use: Originally a tool for threshing grain, the flail was easily
modified into a weapon. It was swung at the opponent and was most useful
as a crushing weapon. It could crush armor and shatter bone without too
much difficulty. The spikes were more for looks than for any real
effect, though if they were used against someone who wasn't wearing armor, the
spikes would tear into flesh quite nastily.
- Sites for Further Research: N/A
