View source for Mordhau (weaponry)

{{short description|Offensive technique}}
{{about|the weaponry technique|the video game|Mordhau (video game)}}{{Expand German|date=November 2021}}[[Image:Augsburg Cod.I.6.4º.2 (Codex Wallerstein) 107v.jpg|300px|thumb|Page of the ''[[Codex Wallerstein]]'' showing a [[half-sword]] thrust against a Mordhau move (Plate 214)]]

In the [[German school of swordsmanship]], '''Mordhau''', alternatively '''Mordstreich''' or '''Mordschlag''' (in [[German language|German]] literally "murder-stroke" or "murder-strike" or "murder-blow"), is a [[half-sword]] technique of holding the [[langes Schwert|sword]] inverted, with both hands gripping the [[blade]], and hitting the opponent with the [[Hilt#Pommel|pommel]] or [[crossguard]]. This technique allows the swordsman to essentially use the sword as a [[mace (bludgeon)|mace]] or [[War hammer|hammer]]. The ''Mordhau'' is mainly used in [[plate armour|armoured]] combat, although it can be used to surprise an opponent in close quarters. The sword is usually held (by right-handed people) with the left hand towards the tip of the sword and the right hand towards the crossguard. The opposite hand position was rare.

Cuts or blows with a sword blade were ineffective against plate armor from the 14th to 16th centuries. Cutting through the steel plates was infeasible, and a sword blade itself was too light to achieve a sufficient effect through its impact force alone, as is the case with weapons such as the much larger [[poleaxe]] as a specialized armored combat weapon.

== See also ==
* [[Buttstroke]]
* [[Pistol-whipping]]

== References ==
* [[Codex Wallerstein]], ed. Zabinski, Paladin Press, (2002), {{ISBN|1-58160-339-8}}.

[[Category:Blunt weapons]]
[[Category:Swordsmanship]]


{{Sword-stub}}
{{Fencing-stub}}