The francisca (or francesca) was a throwing axe used as a weapon during the Early Middle Ages by the Franks, among whom it was a characteristic national weapon at the time of the Merovingians (about 500 to 750 AD).

The franciska, also known as a Francisca, was a type of throwing axe used by the Franks, a Germanic tribe that dominated Western Europe in the early Middle Ages. The weapon was named after King Clovis I, who was said to have used it in battle.

Long ago in Europe, the Franks (forerunners of the modern-day French) developed a throwing axe for use in battle against their enemies. The Romans called it a Francisca because of its Frankish origins, and during the period of 400 A.D. through 800 A.D. it was used with profound effect during a variety of wars.

Excavations of Central European graves from the period 500–750 AD uncovered a special axe that has been named the Franziska. This axe was initially used by the Franks, before spreading to the Teutons, Burgundians, Lombards and finally the Goths.

This Francesca axe is a beautiful example of a Frankish weapon used during the earlier part of the Middle Ages. An axe like this was also carried by Germanic armies into battle and used in hand-to-hand combat, as well as a lethal throwing weapon.

Famously associated with the Frankish tribes of the early Medieval period, the Francisca (or Francesca) was a hard-hitting throwing axe used to disrupt an enemy formation as a precursor to melee combat. The historian Procopius of Byzantium noted that the Franks would, with a timed signal, unleash a volley of whirling axe

This Francesca axe is a beautiful example of a Frankish weapon used during the earlier part of the Middle Ages. An axe like this was also carried by Germanic armies into battle and was used in hand-to-hand combat, as well as a lethal throwing weapon.

2016年6月29日 · The Francesca or Francisca throwing axe was used by the Franks of the Merovingian dynasty between the 5th and 8th centuries. This type of axe was used for both close combat and as a short range...