flail with short handleThe medieval war flail was a shorter weapon consisting of a wooden shaft connected by a chain, rope, or leather strap to one or more striking heads. It originated during the Crusades from the threshing flail. Because the steel ball was attached to a chain, it was effective against enemies carrying shields. Variants of this weapon sometimes smooth, sometimes spiked spread from Eastern Europe to the West from the 10th century onward. Illustrations from