What Are Simple Maces?

A mace is a simple weapon that uses a heavy head on the end of a handle to deliver powerful blows. Maces, being simple to make, cheap, and straightforward in application, were common weapons. Peasant rebels and cheap conscript armies often had little more than maces, axes, and polearms. Few of these simple maces survive today. Most examples found in museums are of much better quality and often highly decorated.

The length of maces can vary considerably. The maces of foot soldiers were usually quite short, measuring two to three feet in length. The maces of cavalrymen were longer and better designed for blows from horseback. Two-handed maces could be even larger.
During the Middle Ages metal Armour and chainmail protected against the blows