Medieval battle axe, the weapon of a thug or a knight? (testing on target) 

Jason: This is Talos. He is a... Me: He's a GOOD BOOOY!!

The idea of having an axe rider come by, swing, and the blade deflecting off my skull and taking off half my face but leaving me alive.... is horrific.

Poor Talos wanted so desperately to get moving.

The Gold Standard for history content on YT!

Talos is so handsome! I love his bored pawing of the ground, like "I thought we were gonna have some fun, and now you're just sitting there and blabbing!"

Love how Talos is demonstrating his irritation and boredom. Stood there thinking, "Oh come on human, I've been saddled, bridled, brushed and shoe'd and you're just going to sit there talking?" /stomp stomp stomp.

It always surprises me how tiny actual war axes are compared to their fictional and fantasy counterparts

Came for the battle axe. Stayed for the coolest damn horse I've ever seen.

Armed with an axe, made by a Viking, on a horse named Talos... *SKYRIM BELONGS TO THE NORDS!!!*

This guy is winning life. Made millions making video games, uses his vast wealth to follow his passion for medieval life. Legendary dude.

I'd love to see you doing that with a straight sword compared to a curved sword/saber. Other youtubers like Matt from Schola Gladiatoria and historians argue that the shape of the saber makes it more effective but most of all easier and less dangerous (impact shock or getting stuck for example) to use from horseback than a straight sword, but I never got to see that in action. Since your horseback warfare content is the best I know on YT this might be an interesting topic for the viewers as well as for you

The level of education provided by your videos regarding to horseback combat is unmatched for me, because you're actually DOING what you talk about and I love that!

As a medievalist, I absolutely love your videos, experimental history is always so interesting and fun. Amazing battle axe!

I would love to see Talos is barding. That absolute unit needs armor!

Talos is huge! What a beauty.

The later development of a horseman's pick would seem to imply that not only was it due to armor, but through use. If you find yourself primarily using the spike, presumably you come to question why you're bothering with the axe head at all and drop it to focus on the part of the weapon that sees the majority of use.

What I appreciate the most about these videos is the amount of respect that is shown towards those who have come before us. Never once have I seen Jason look down with any sense of superiority due to the luxury of hindsight we have today. He tries to understand what they knew at the time and is not only perfectly willing to admit that perhaps people from the medieval times knew better than we do in regards to some knowledge, it's as if he's excitedly looking for those areas so he can learn and understand. It's refreshing and calming to see history approached with humility. Thank you so much for making these great videos!

I love the cross between a Andalusian and a Shire, how brilliant! The stockiness coupled with the athleticism seems like it makes for quite the ideal warhorse! And I love the name Kingslander, that's just ridiculously epic. Talos is so stunning

How nice of Talos to take charge of production, direction, camera, sound, and editing.

It's wonderful to watch Talos' eyes when you strike. It's almost like he's happy that you hit your mark right on.😮😊

The skull-shaving damage from the first strike is eerily similar to one of the wounds on Richard III's skull.

The axe is my preferred weapon. I have sparred with them for many years. I love hooking a shield, and when the opponent instinctively resists the pull, I thrust in. Driving the top of the axe into the face plate. Knocking them off balance, and opening them up for the finishing blow... Works almost every time, and is so satisfying. More importantly... What a beautiful and meaty boy! That horse is to die for!

The thought of an upward swing is more terrifying than a downwards one.

Honestly the detail you went into regarding the lanyard is one of the reasons I enjoy your content so much. It was not only informative and honest but shows that you aren't here just to tell us neat things about the medieval period but to also have fun and experiment.

"This is a 14th Century battleaxe. I'm going to use it from horseback, at speed, against a human head-sized target. Cameraman: Looks on nervously...

Talos is like: “ Ah, stop the blabbering already, I THIRST FOR BLOOD! LETS CRUSH SOME SKULLS!” and still very cute heheh

That's exactly how I used to hold my crop when I jumped my horse. I had no idea it was the safest way to hold it; just did it because that was comfortable and I was told to NEVER put it around my wrist. I love your videos.

Talos is such a good boy, standing patiently while Jason educates us

I've found a Medieval war axe in my backyard when I was digging the ground to make a driveway.

Why was medieval weapon expert not a career choice through school? I could be doing this now instead of head butting a computer everyday 😂

Talos really look like an actual warhorse. A fine balance between a lithe, agile frame and robustness combined.

"And it has a long haft, which tells me it was used from horseback. Now, here's a horse I made earlier ..."

Talos is so adorable. His little stomps of boredom and impatience are so sweet.

I love that your horse is called Talos. He seems a really cool horse, and he deffo didn't want to be standing around while you gassed at the camera! LOL He really wanted to get going and do something fun

Brilliant video as always! And a big shoutout to Talos! I've never seen or heard of a cross between these breeds of horse; which are coincidentally in my personal favourite top 5 favourite horse breeds. Isn't he handsome, a strong sturdy frame but a little leaner than a Shire. A perfect combination for strength, stamina with a little more agility too.

Actually, medieval axe with a lanyard is mentioned in Novgorodian Chronicles. In the Battle of Lipitsa (1216) Novgorodian prince Mstislav the Daring ride three times throu the forces of Suzdalian princes, his enemies, cutting people with his axe with a lanyard. Lanyard is mentioned specifically by the chronicler, maybe because it showed the skill of the prince.

just think how bad it was to go up aganist knights on horseback? You can choose to 1: get impaled during the charge 2. get your head bashed in/ half of your face cut off 3. trampled by a horse and you can not even run away, your best bet is to stand still while holding your pointy-stick out and hope that neither the village drunk or the village idiot craps it and runs leaving you behind.

"Knight or thug" isn't necessarily an either/or situation

Im so early!! You probably wont see this comment, but if you do, i just wanted to say that I absolutely love your vids and your whole channel. Not only do you include amazing horses, but you make these videos so educational and interesting- honestly, I could watch these videos all day!!! Stay Safe🐴👍

Always a delight to see a video from you all!

That use of the lanyard is interesting, as a young prison officer in the early nineties that is exactly how I was taught to use the leather strap on my baton. Depending on the angle of your hand it was easy to decide whether or not you wanted to keep a hold of the stave (as a baton/truncheon was officially called) or release it. I guess what works works.

Yessss! A new video finally graduated high school and you’re re giving me the motivation and joy that I have for history, so much that I’m planning to major in it for college

Horsee says, " You wack 'em.. ..I stomp 'em ! "

Again, an informative video! And can I add that Jason manages to pull off this medieval look with panache? He just looks like a time traveler.

The image of you calmly sitting atop that gigantic wonderful beast at the end of your video. Speaking softly and gently waving around that beautifully crafted axe. Makes one wonder: "What if that bundle was ridding towards me with the intent of cleaving my skull in half?"... truly terrifying!!!

I discovered this channel only very recently, as lockdown has had me in front of my computer a lot more than normal. As a long-time knightly enthusiast and a student of history, I cannot express how great your channel is. Keep up the great content!

I love seeing theory put to the test, there is always something interesting that comes out of your testing. Whether it's the skill required to use an axe on horseback, or the advantage a foot soldier has over a mounted opponent.

Nintendo has already filed a patent infringement on the medieval axe lanyard. Expect their lawyers contacting you very soon.

when you find out this guy is the CEO of a company making the sequel to one of your favourite game series. mind blown. been watching this channel for ages. love this content. i just figured you were always like this lol

One thing that I really admire about your videos is that you do not have a fear of being wrong. You are creative and you think of different ways of expanding upon our knowledge of the middle ages and medieval combat, you’re open to testing them, and then you are completely honest as to whether it was successful or not. Keep making these videos, it’s an unparalleled source of education and entertainment!

'Come on hoomin! I want to run!' I love the personalities of your horses.

Talos is such a diva. He's beautiful and impatient and he knows it. 😂

HELLO, my friend, Jason, good day to you . Talos is an amazingly beautiful Horse and what a beautiful mane braid on his brow. What a great idea putting a lanyard on the haft or hilt of the axe, I had exactly the same thought though as your riding away from an impaled Armored enemy horrible thoughts of being yanked loose from horseback or heaven forbid have it come back and bash or spike Talos . 🚫🐎💩 As my father would have said. Hope you have been well through this mess , I know your work has been plentiful as some are not. Be well and I always enjoy your videos whether rides through the Forest as you know well I love since I cannot do it physically myself , I get to vicariously do it through you. Your friend .

I love watching Talos being bored and impatient.

great video once again! another detail about medieval battle-axes is that they were quite popular due to their effectiveness at a much lower cost of metals than swords and in many instances would have been more common than swords.

Talos was really eager to get to cracking some skulls there. My kind of horse!

Any chance of seeing Talos in barding one day? Oh how mighty he would look in it plus it would make a great video demonstrating how it was put on and slow mo shots at full pace!

The intro is awesome. I love this channel. I learn so much from it every time.

About 8:30 Talos is like "Less talking, more r(a)iding!" Some serious Warband vibes 😄

How interesting. The general shape without the pick is similar to the battle axes of ancient Egypt e.g one was found in Tutankamun's tomb. Good technology lasts a long time. Thanks for another interesting video.

I've always been fascinated by Robert the Bruce's combat with DeBohun on the eve of Bannock burn. Axe vs lance. DeBohuns helm and head are split open, the shaft of the axe broken in the process. Would be nice if you could add some thoughts as an experienced rider.

I missed your videos so much, thank you for providing more awesomeness!

Talos is one magnificent and steady horse, as well as as warlord, with a unique personality. He didn’t blink once , even with all that going on near his head. Great video!

Interesting discussion about the lanyard. I would have never imagined this- especially the problem of getting yanked off the horse if the lanyard is too tight.

The only man on YT that can talk about medieval history without making it boring 👍🏻

The horse is like “enough talking, my Lord, let’s charge those bastards now!” 😂

11:08 Talos: "pssst - you're already dead!"

Dude, what an amazin channel you have here. It all started when youtube recomended me a video of some guy brushing hist teeths with some medieval flowers and now I'm learning how to yield a lance while in horseback. Just awesome. Keep it up!

Just a thought, but I’d expect one downside of a lanyard would be the inability to easily switch between the two different sides of the axe. The lanyard would need to be relatively thin so as not to impede rotating the tool in hand, and would also require you to rotate it in the opposite direction as you previously did when switching back to the other side of the axe. Just a thought!

Glad to see you're doing well 😊 And I just can't get over how beautiful Talos is 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

I recently found your channel and have come to truly enjoy watching your videos. The way you calmly and thoroughly explain history behind your experiments is so interesting to watch. It's a absolute joy to see someone who is truly passionate about these subjects, and I like seeing your personal introspection. I also admire the fact that you work in your period clothing and show us how people would have really used these things ! I hope someday you might do a video on how horses were fitted for their gear back then, or on how they sewed their clothes and took measurements. I saw bolts of cloth behind you in one video about clothing and was curious if you made your own costumes! Keep up the amazing work! So glad to see a new video from you !

Outstanding and very interesting content as always! Thank you so much for clearing up many rumors and informations about the medieval ages!

The more I watch these videos the more I think.... "How do we get this man some ballistics gel?"

I suspect that the "weapon of a thug" in the time period (ignoring the knife or dagger that almost all would have had access to) would have probably been more of a blackjack or club or a hammer or mace. Something bludgeoning that doesn't care about armor to the degree that a blade does.

Just beautiful ! Thank you ! Your horse is a marvelous sight as well !

I am always so excited when i see a new video from you sir! as always, Thank you!

I love these videos. I found this channel at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and have been hooked since. Thanks for all of the effort that you and your production team put into these.

Jason continues to give us fantastic programming. I wish the History Channel would hire you, they haven't produced anything of this quality in at least fifteen years. Keep up the great work my friend!

Out of Skallagrim, Shad, Matt Easton, Metatron, Thrand, and Tod Cutler, you deliver the most medieval atmosphere. Not taking away from the others, you are my favorite. Thank you so much for the great content!!

The axe discussion was very informative and interesting, but I have to confess I was enthralled with Talos. 😁 I'm a horse nut who hasn't been able to ride for almost 50 years. I've never seen a Shire/Andalusian cross, and he's simply amazing! Somewhat like a plus-sized Lipizzan. That neck and crest, and those haunches-- :sigh: I think I have a crush on your horse. 😊

Been looking forward to another video from here.

As a video gamer, I cant tell you the number of times Ive shot arrows into the back of my horses head, or accidently smashed it with a mace. I have no doubt that part of the justification for putting armour onto a horses head and neck is to protect it from the rider, as much of as the enemy.

What a great video! Coming at this as I do from a purely fantasy-fan perspective, it's never really talked about in tabletop games (at least not in ones like D&D and Pathfinder) just WHY there's a difference between the various types of axes. Even when there are illustrations of the weapons it's still not obvious on such differences. What you do here as you introduce us to this weapon is absolutely the best explanation I've ever heard as to why a battle axe is most emphatically NOT a wood cutting axe. And it's so good to see Talos in fine fettle! He's always a pleasure to watch, and this video was no exception. Such a good boy! Thank you once again for sharing these insights and explanations with us and giving us great stuff to think about!

Mate I'm blessed to find your content recently, interesting, entertaining and great production, keep up the brilliant work! Would love to come see a reenactment when events happen again!

Hello! I haven't really commented before, but I just want to say that I've found drawing horses a lot easier after watching your content! I know that's probably just from watching you with your horses in general, but I find it so easy to keep watching your videos!

7:53 Talos looks into the camera... T: This human...so noisy.... 8:00 T: Why are you still talking? 8:06 T: If I sniff your boots can we go? 8:13 T: LET'S GOOOOOOOO! Love your content, I love England's history. I enjoy reading about Oct 1066, the start of it all.

I can't stop watching this series, despite being a bit put off by the big focus on deadly tools. I am more interested in how people lived in older times, but I watch this anyway because it is interesting to hear how (even deadly) things have changed and why.

So happy to see more content on this channel. One of the best history channels, with superb presenter and subjects.

LOVE YOUR VIDS MANNN, missed you so much

talos the MIGHTY! talos the UNERRING! TALOS THE UNASSAILABLE

Talos stole the show here. Look at his expression as he enters the picture in the first slomo 😂

Hey Modern History TV. I just wanted to show u some support. I love your energy and all your videos. I belive we all see the pasion you put into every film and thats just so enjoyable. Keep up the good work and thanks for brightening our days.

Possibly the greatest RU-vid intro ever

I saw your face for like a second during Sony's PS5 stream at the end and I was like *"Hey thats the Modern History guy!"*

Another great video from Jason!!!! Thanks mate

I am writing a fantasy novel and your videos are always so informative and immersive. They really help me visualize what life was like in the medieval times. And they help me make combat situations more accurate and grounded. Maybe a character in my novel can challenge the stereotype around axe wielders.

I love how Talos always is so eager to go!

Another very interesting presentation. I must say, Talos is damn impressive!

Amazing axe... That is beautiful. Thanks for the video! I have been looking forward to it.

fantastic content, thank you! i did not expect that conclusion.