thumb|300px|Different types of francisca heads

thumb|Francisca with shaft

The francisca (or francesca) was a throwing axe used as a weapon during the Early Middle Ages by the Franks, among whom it was a characteristic national weapon at the time of the Merovingians (about 500 to 750 AD). It is known to have been used during the reign of Charlemagne (768–814).

Although generally associated with the Franks, it was also used by other Germanic peoples of the period, including the Anglo-Saxons; several examples have been found in England.

Etymology

thumb|Francisca on display in Romano-Germanic Museum in Cologne, Germany

thumb|Blade of a Francisca from the Alamannic graveyard of Weingarten (6th century)

The term francisca first appeared in the book Etymologiarum sive originum, libri XVIII by Isidore of Seville (c. 560–636) as a name used in Hispania to refer to these weapons "because of their use by the Franks".

The historian Gregory of Tours (c. 538–594) in his History of the Franks uses two Latin terms for the Frankish axe: securis and bipennis.

The régime of Vichy France used the image of a stylised double-headed francisque as part of its iconography (compare fasces).

Description

The francisca is characterized by its distinctly arch-shaped head, widening toward the cutting edge and terminating in a prominent point at both the upper and lower corners. The top of the head is usually either S-shaped or convex with the lower portion curving inward and forming an elbow with the short wooden haft. with an average weight of around .

See also

  • Anglo-Saxon warfare
  • Axe
  • Battle axe
  • Hurlbat
  • Nzappa zap
  • Tomahawk

References

Further reading

  • Gamble, James Douglas (2002). Axes of War and Power. Tanro Company. .
  • An informative page about axe throwing, by Norbert C. Maier

<!--* Lawrence, Matthew (2001). Throwing Axes.-->

  • Regia Anglorum page on Germanic battle axes