Francisca

A Francisca (or Frankish Axe) is a small throwing axe with a unique, upward-projecting head. The graceful curves of this axehead make it ideal for throwing, as the curve of the axehead concentrates tremendous force on the point of impact.

The francisca is a specifically Frankish weapon, but was used commonly across western Europe. Typically franciscas would be thrown en masse at an enemy shieldwall in the last few seconds of a charfe, shattering (or at least encumbering), shields and killing, maiming, or at least intimidating, enough of the enemy to give an advantage in the crucial first seconds of a melee.