The Pell

 

The Pell

 

Knight with Sword and Armor

Medieval Weapons

 

Step back into history get Medieval facts and information about weapons and armor

Medieval Weapons - The Pell

  • Read books from a history book club or watch the History Channel DVDs on Medieval Times
  • Interesting Facts and information about the Pell weapon
  • Description of the Pell
  • Weaponry and Arms Training methods
  • Sword practise - the Pell
  • Use of weapons and different types
  • The Medieval soldiers who used the weapon
  • Hand to hand combat - fighting skills learnt at the Pell
  • Online swords and armor information

 

 

The Pell

Facts and interesting information about Medieval Weapons, Armor and arms,
specifically,
the Pell (Sword Practice and Training)

Description of the Pell
The weapons practice during the Medieval times included training at the Pell which was specifically used for sword training. The following description provides basic facts and information about the pell.

The Pell - Sword Practice and Training
The Pell was used as a target weapon when practising with the sword. Description - The Pell consisted of a wooden post which was planted firmly in the ground. The origin of the pell was a simple tree trunk. The Medieval knight would practise striking his sword against the pell target

The Origins and History of the Pell
Training devices, similar to the pell were used by Romans. The word 'pell' or 'pel' derives from the Latin words palos meaning 'stake'. From this Latin origin the English word 'pale' was derived meaning a stake or a pointed stick. From this the word 'palisade' was derived meaning a fence made of wooden stakes, used in early English Castle building. Another spin-off from Pell Training is Pell Mell.

Pell Training
Knights used wooden swords or batons during pell training - these were often double the weight of the actual weapon ensuring that Medieval knights built up their upper body and arm strength.

Pell Training - Swords used in Pell Training
There were many different types of Medieval swords. The Baton was the name given to the wooden swords which were used in Tournaments or training and were made of wood or whalebone. A Rebated sword is one that has had its point and edge blunted for training or tournament

Facts and Information about Pell Training
Read the following facts and interesting information about pell training:

  • Behourd was the old name of the training ground for young knights and squires
  • The behourd was also used as a friendly tournament to be held at special occasions such as weddings, knight ceremonies and coronations
  • Pell training also included practice related to striking with a shield
  • Pell training allowed knights to practice various vicious strokes and manoeuvres such as thrusting, cutting, and slicing without imposing an injury on his opponent
  • Hilt and shield strikes were also practiced
  • Pell Training also included spear throwing
  • Other Medieval weapons of the Middle Ages were also practised during pell training - battle axes, hammers etc - in fact any form of short arm weapon
  • Effective training at the Pell required knights and other men-at-arms to take the practice extremely seriously. The Pell was attacked as if it were a real opponent. Pell training demanded hours of practice to increase skills, strength and agility
  • Rigorous and regular training at the Pell resulted in precision, focus, and force
  • The training post at the Pell measured about 6 feet in height and the diameter of the post was between 6 - 12 inches
  • The pell was originally a plain post but as time went by the pell was embellished to resemble the figure of the enemy - especially popular during the era of the crusades when the pell figure resembled an infidel or Saracen

Pell Training was predominantly used by a Knight but other soldiers would also practise at the pell. Knights also had to practise additional weapon training - use of the lance was practised at the Quintain

Pell Training - Scoring system
Training Combats using batons or wooden swords were settled by either a set number of counted blows, or until one or both combatants had been “satisfied” i.e. had enough. A Medieval scoring system Certain blows or manoeuvres using batons or wooden swords were allocated set numbers of points as follows:

  • Thrusts to the body, shoulder and face counted as three points
  • An immobilization or disarm was counted as three points
  • Thrusts to the rest of the body or wrists counted for one point
  • Strikes made with the use of the pommel or quillons also counted for one point

The quillons was the name given to the crossbar on the hilt of a sword. The pommel was part of the hilt which acted as a counterweight to the blade. Knights practised their skills with the lance at the Quintain.

Medieval Weapons and Armor - The Pell

The Medieval Life and Times website provides interesting facts, history and information about the weapons, armor and battles in Medieval history, including the Pell, which scatter the history books. The Medieval Times Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts about the fascinating subject of the lives of the soldiers and knights who lived during the historical period of the Middle Ages. The content of this article at the Pell provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and research for schools, colleges and homework for history courses and history coursework.
 

 

Medieval Weapons - Pell Training

  • Read books from a history book club or watch the History Channel DVDs on Medieval Times
  • Interesting Facts and information about the Pell
  • Description of the Pell
  • Weaponry and Arms Training methods
  • Sword practise - the Pell
  • Use of weapons and different types
  • The Medieval soldiers who used the weapon
  • Hand to hand combat - fighting skills
  • Online swords and armor information

Helpful information for history courses and history coursework - Read History Books - Medieval Society - Realms - Medival - Lives -  Medival Era and Period - Weapons - Weaponry - Arms - Training - Use - Skills - Warfare - Soldiers - Combat - Fighting - Armor - Pell Training - History - Information - Facts - Info - Medieval Period - Medieval - Dark Ages - Information about Pell Training - Pell Training Facts - Pell Training Info - Medieval Times - Pell Training - Medival Era and Period - History Channel DVDs - Written By Linda Alchin