The thing that I’m thinking of is a length of chain with a handle attached to one end. On the other end is a large metal sphere. Arranged around the perimeter sphere are several conical spike-shaped things. What is this thing called?
Its called a mace.
The quintessential Dark Ages/Medievel weapon of head craking.
Thanks, Enola Straight, but I thought a mace was just a club with the spikes all around it. Is the thing I described also called a mace?
Mace- Average Length: Approx. 3 to 4 feet. Type of weapon: Close Hand-to-Hand. Commonly used by: Macemen. This weapon was a very powerful one, requiring great strength to wield. It usually consisted essentially of a large metal ball with spikes protruding from it, which was mounted on a shaft of metal or, less commonly, wood. There were many variations including a wooden stick with a spike driven through it, but this was most popular. (The Morning Star was a popular version, too. It was usually mounted on a wooden shaft and it was longer than the mace.). It was very heavy, but its spikes could pierce armour and it was a very deadly weapon.
Flail - Average Length: Shaft; Approx. 3 to 4 feet, Chain and ball; Approx. 1 to 1.5 feet. Type of weapon: Close Hand-to-Hand. Commonly used by: Flailmen. Also called a ‘ball and chain’, this was somewhat similar of a mace. The spiked ball, however, was mounted on a chain or strap which was attacked to a stick. Much momentum could be generated by swinging it, and if you could control it it was extremely dangerous.
From the SOED:
I’ve been in the SCA.
It’s a Morning Star. Yeah.
In Diablo II, the weapon you described is called a flail.
Well this site has a picture of a Battle Mace
This one is a picture of some axes, a mace (B), two Morning Stars (G & H) and a crossbow.
And this one has lots of pictures.
