In medieval battlefields, in addition to longswords, long spears, poleaxes, war hammers, and longbows, there was another type of polearm widely used by soldiers, known as the "Bill." It had a similar length, function, and appearance to the Swiss halberd but was favored by non-noble soldiers. In the 16th century, the English martial artist George Silver highly praised the Bill and even described it as the "strongest weapon."

From Farming Tool to Battlefield Weapon

The precursor of the Bill can be traced back to the farming tool known as the "billhook" or "bill." This was a long-standing cutting tool with a curved blade at the top and a hook-like point, designed for cutting grass, grains, and smaller pieces of wood like branches or shrubs. The billhook came in both short and long-handled versions for cutting small and larger vegetation, respectively.

Later, the long-handled billhook transitioned from a farming tool to a weapon due to its simplicity of construction, long reach, and excellent cutting capabilities. It evolved into a multi-functional polearm known as the Bill. It was even formed into specialized infantry units called "Billmen," becoming a prominent type of infantry alongside the longbowmen in medieval England. When European countries began adopting combinations of long spears and firearms in the 16th century, England held onto the traditional combination of longbows and Bills.

Forms and Varieties

The original Bill differed from the agricultural billhook, with its distinct features being a hooked blade, a spear point for thrusting, and a spike on the backside of the primary blade. The terminal end of the primary blade was often bent forward to form a hook. This distinguished the Bill from the Swiss halberd, which had different characteristics.

Various forms of Bills developed over time. Italian-style Bills had a relatively longer thrusting spear section, while English-style Bills featured shorter lengths with wider cutting blades. England further categorized Bills into "Black," "Brown," and "Forest" types, with Forest Bills being the longest, ranging from 8 to 9 feet (2.4-2.7 meters) in length.

Common Techniques

The Bill, a versatile polearm, had the capacity for thrusting, chopping, hooking, and striking with its haft, making it a valuable tool for medieval soldiers. With various attack modes and relatively simple construction, it gained popularity among non-noble soldiers.

The Bill could perform thrusting attacks effectively, suitable for piercing through armor or unprotected areas of an opponent. The hook feature allowed the Bill to prevent over-penetration and facilitated withdrawing from the enemy after a thrust. When using the cutting edge, the Bill could deliver powerful slashing blows, similar to that of an axe, inflicting significant damage to an enemy's limbs or torso. The hook could also be employed for hooking the enemy or their mount, disarming opponents, or dealing with mounted or other longer weapon-wielding foes.

In medieval warfare, the Bill played a vital role, thanks to its versatility and adaptability. It was a favored weapon among non-noble soldiers, and its multiple functionalities made it highly effective on the battlefield.