The Axe[312] was adopted by the Franks, as well as by the Scandinavians and the Germans, especially the Saxons. Hence the two-edged axe when affixed to long staves, forming a spear, became the Icelandic Hall-bard[313] (hall-axe?), the Teutonic Alle-barde (‘all-cleaver’), and the ‘Pole-axe,’ called from Poland (= Polje, the plain-country). This modification was universal in Northern Europe during the first ages of Christianity. The earliest shape (middle fourteenth to early sixteenth centuries) was a broad and massive axe, mounted on a thick and solid spear; in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the blade became more slender and hollow-edged, and the head longer and more taper. The Swiss introduced the Halbert to France in the middle fifteenth century: in the seventeenth century it was conventionalised, the axe resumed its original aspect, and the spear grew to leaf-shape. In this form it was retained by the subalterns and sergeants of the British army till abolished with the pig-tails of ‘Shaven England.’ It is not wholly forgotten on ceremonious occasions in certain European Courts, and during all its changes it has ever retained its cousinly likeness to the broadsword. [Illustration: FIG. 93.—HALBARDS.] [Illustration: FIG. 94.—HALBARDS.] [Illustration: FIG. 95.—_a_, _b_. BECHWANA’S CLUB AXE; _c._ THE SAME, EXPANDED; _d._ THE SAME, BARBED; _e._ SILEPE OF THE BASUTOS; _f._ HORSEMAN’S AXE OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.] [Heading: _AXE AND SCYMITAR._] I have shown how the stone celt might become a metal knife, and thence develop into the straight Sword. By noting the modifications it is as easy to see that the axe might have produced the scymitar. The earliest form would be a broad lance-head inserted into a common club (_a_), as is still practised in many parts of Africa. The next improvement (_c_) would convert the tool into an arm by increasing the cutting surface; and another step (_d_) would make it lighter by reducing the blade to a triangle of mere barbs, ⊣. Then (_e_) we have the Khond or Circar battle-axe, and the Silepe of the South African Basutos who, virtually discovered by Dr. Livingstone, have become so troublesome of late years.[314] This T-shaped blade, perpetuated in the ‘Baïonette Gras,’ was used in Switzerland and in Venice till the sixteenth century, according to Meyrick and Demmin. Afterwards the straight back next to the staff would be formed into two small and graceful crescents (_f_); and the weapon became far better fitted for the requirements of cavalry. This shape is world-wide, and was used in England _temp._ Elizabeth. A congener of the glaive was the _Francisque à lance ouverte_, the broad-bladed ‘taper-axe,’ used for throwing as well as for striking. According to the Abbé Cochet, this weapon took its name from the Franks. The Francisque is termed a ‘defensive weapon’ in the illustrated treatise ‘Armes et Armures.’[315] The Saxons preferred to it the Sahs, Seax or Scramasax-knife, similarly used.