View source for Javelin

A '''Javelin''' is a sort of light [[spear]], to be thrown or cast by the hand.
[[Ancient]]ly, it was a [[weapon]] of [[war]] used by [[horseman|horsemen]] and [[foot soldier]]s. 

The [[Roman]]s specially designed the head of their "pilum" so that it bent on contact with the ground or the target. This prevented it being thrown back at the soldier. If it was lodged in a [[shield]] etc., then it was hard to extract.

[[Manuscript]] images of [[Saxon]] warriors show them holding a number of javelins in the same hand as their [[shield]] (putting a bit of a dampener on the idea of convex shields), allowing them to be readily grasped once the javelin in the primary hand has been thrown. 

Depictions of javelin wielders onthe Bayeaux Tapestry hold the javelin behind the centre of gravity and experiments in holding a javelin in this manner have revealed it to be a surprisingly effective technique.

In the [[Middle Ages]], javelins were used in hunting the wild [[boar]] and other fierce [[game]] as well as in war.

== SCA javelins==
In the [[SCA]], '''javelins''' are a [[missile weapon]], and being such must have a [[pressure point]]. Because they are thrown, not propelled by a [[bow]] or [[siege weapon]], they may be used by [[heavy fighter]]s.

 

[[category:weapons]]