The Four Distances of the Spear

 The Four Distances of the Spear, Prologue.

The spear is the main weapon of historical and prehistorical combat from pre-humanity (Clacton Spear - Wikipedia) to the 18th century. During written history it has been mostly paired with shields when used for combat.

The main focus of the Hirdmenn group has long been fighting with late germanic style center grip shields. The most common weapon combined with this weapon is the spear. There are many kinds of spears used with our favorite shield type, but simply the length of the shaft of the weapon varies hugely. (See related video from Alexander here: What can we say about early medieval and viking age spears? | 1 Length) This means there is not just one style of fighting with this weapon, but many different contexts and uses for it. That being said, the most common length of the spears we work with range from the tip on eye level to “one can just touch the tip”.  What I (Arttu) am going to talk about relates to shaft lengths that are in this from “eye level to fingertips" category. The tips are a wide topic and a long study of intended uses for every type is still not done. 

Spears - The Viking Age Compendium

This being said, we assume, due to our work this far, that most of the tips are meant to be used single handed, mounted to thin shafts, are capable of delivering small cuts and can with ease pierce flesh and fabric. (See video about cuts here: Cutting with spear) Most of them are also very throwable.

Now combining a head and a shaft and thus being able to test how using different types work is years of labour, and we have had limited time with it. Due to our experience this far we are now prepared to say the spear has four distances of fighting. How good a spear is, at which distance, varies. They can definitely be optimized for a certain distance, but most are usable at all of them.

The Four Distances of the Spear

1. Thrown

Most spears can be thrown. I am dangerous to an opponent from 10 steps away, but a good thrower is far deadlier than I am. A duel starts when an opponent is closing a distance where one needs to fear the throw. Thus a spear that is good for throwing has a longer reach. This gives a spear fighter an initiative, compared to less throwable weapon users. 

The spear's ability to pierce armor is also very related to its ability to accelerate, and thus throws are in all situations the most dangerous way to use the spear. (See maille pierced here by Thrang: Thrand's Overarm Throwing Spear Slide vs Historical Maille @ Asfolk /w Dimicator)  

2. Long Distance

I am going to call long distance a distance that a shorter weapon like sword can not yet be used without throwing it. This is what most people, I see using spears, do and what I used to do as the only thing for more than 10 years. One can maintain the long distance by walking backwards while using the spear, thus not instantly losing the distance as the enemy tries to walk past the spear point. Adding cuts while retrieving the spear might add to the effectiveness of this style. Accuracy of trust and aiming with your full body movements are the key to this style. The ability to slide the spear in your hand and then continue with the movement are keys to success. (See an old accuracy drill video here: Spear accuracy drill See solo training for the sliding thrust and grip change here: Training the sliding thrust and grip change.)

3. Melee Distance

The melee distance is also where the sword and ax user wants to fight. We wrote a long blogpost about this distance and our ideas of fighting in it. The active use of the shield and the stopping power of the sharp spear are now very important. Read all about it here:

https://hirdmenn.blogspot.com/2023/06/simple-fighting-system-for-close.html

Now the melee distance is more complicated than what we make of it in the blog post. This being said, the system presented in the post works, even against experienced fighters who know I am committed to using it and can be expected to find counters to it. Combining this tactic with the skills used when fighting with the long distance, but using a shorter grip makes one quite formidable in the melee distance. A new important element still to add is fencing with the shield and shield binding.

The shield should be used actively. One can use it to punch the enemies in the face, throat, or collar bone to inflict meaningful damage. Actively binding with it is a very important way of controlling your enemy. When one can cut with the spear, and control the enemy using one's shield, they have a very good chance of winning against axes and swords at melee distance.

You can see Arttu (spear) fighting Julle (ax), using a spear at long and melee distance. The fight was a draw, both scoring equal amounts of points. The points are explained in the video description. spear & shield vs axe & shield, viking shield fight
You can see Arttu fighting Joeli when both are using spears. Most of this fight happens near melee distance. Spear & Shield Sparring

4. Wrestling Distance / Dagger Distance

When the enemy steps close one must be able to continue fighting. This distance is reached when you can touch the body of your opponent with your body. Dropping weapons and just grappling might be an option, but the moment they are able to step back it's hard to find one's spear on the ground in time. We instead want to be able to do this confidently enough that I am willing to step forward and take the close distance fight with my weapons.

Optimally one has time to slide the spear into short grip holding it like a dagger. This allows for complex fighting and for example disarms and shield manipulation. Our work here has just begun and is not on the level that the other distances are, but is needed to fully embrace fighting with spears. 

You can see our first thoughts delivered here: Disarms With Spear & Viking Shield    

Let's Learn Together!

Now we feel we have the first version of a spear and shield system emerging. At this point it needs to be tested, questioned, challenged. To do this we are organizing a weekend event to train with and share our knowledge with friends. The weekend will be held in Helsinki Pukkisaari 9-11.8. YOU ARE INVITED TO COME. See the event information and program here on facebook! EVENT LINK! After this event we will all be better fighters. Our understanding of spear and shield has increased a lot, especially in the area of single combat. Our understanding of history has also grown and we are closer to the truth than before. Welcome!

Written by Arttu Peltoniemi

Edited by Joeli Takala