And both of those advantages apply to a weapon like a halberd. It’s handier than a spear in close quarters, can be used much more efficiency by a soldier operating alone, and is capable of parrying, penetrating armor and taking down horsemen; but it’s effectiveness also increases with numbers - a wall of halberds is just as effective as a wall of spears in keeping swordsmen away. That’s the beauty of polearms.
Wood? Armour? Not a thing outside Native Americans AFAIK.
The timerange is at the very end of the dominance of mail (chain- is redundant) which was around from the Celts and never went away, and covers transitional and plate armours.
Other than shields, that is.
Googling, it was also apparently used in early Japan. There’s not much information on it besides it existing, since wooden objects typically don’t survive that long.
Some early laminar armor was partially made of wood as well in regions like Siberia.
Shields aren’t armour as far as I’m concerned.
Ok, some other minor exceptions. But nothing for the period and region of those polearms.
Actually, it’s a buck and a quarter staff, but I shouldn’t have to tell you that.
Should be pounds-force per square inch. However, the SI unit, the Pascal, is more accurate.