3 Scariest Weapons Used By Ancient Celtic Warriors - Warfare - Greatest Stories Ever Told

[@Pub2k4]

9:14 This was actually an interesting Iron Age invention. Indigenous Europeans believed heavily in transferring the essence of the deceased into themselves or their weapons, so they would add the cremated remains of family or dead foes to their iron when they’d make weapons. Cremated remains are essentially just carbon. When you add carbon to molten iron, you create steel. So, the ancient pagans accidentally invented steel.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

This is actually one of my favorite factoids about the Celts/gaels and the Vikings. Such a strange and incredible accidental bit of badass innovation 👆👆😁

[@VirtuesOfSin]

Oop, looks like someone else beat me to the comment. I thought that was the case, but didn't know if I was making shit up or not. xD

[@Fionamarie0211]

I'd love to see a video on different clothing, shoes, and accessories worn at different times

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Ooooh! So the regular history on this isn't overwhelming, but it is interesting. My family's history of clothing, however, is spectacular 😁

[@Fionamarie0211]

@@BlackDragonTavern I'd LOVE to hear about it!

[@Greye13]

@@BlackDragonTavern Please, do tell. I'm mostly interested in those wearable items that come before (pre common era - BCE) and up to the 12th century.

[@Wastelandwarrior0311]

I've given up on games being good, But lore never fails to stir the heart.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

That is a sentiment I can lay me head on👆

[@corrguineacht7171]

The Falcata was Celtiberian, not really Irish. A possible curved Irish sword would be the "fiarlann" used by the Fir Bolg, as mentioned in The First Battle of Magh Tuiredh. War Clubs/Maces (Shillelagh) are also mentioned in that same story, carried by both the Dagda and the Fomoraigh. I can find no references in either the mythology or history, to the Celts, Irish or otherwise, using War Hammers. There are Neolithic/Early Bronze Age stone hammer axes, but these are fairly modest in size. Celtic javelins/spears are absolutely wonderful, and I have designed and have had commissioned several Gae Bolga.

[@berserkersam9118]

"I'm not someone in the KZbin comments section who thinks they know everything." You sir deserve a like just for that, excellent video as a whole. I found this an interesting watch.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

My absolute pleasure and privilege to entertain my friend 🙏 I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to the Tavern 😁

[@ShadowDancer3598]

I agree it would be a good bet that the war hammer would be a good head taker/smasher. Cause if it did not take it off it would still be mush

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Absolutely agreed my friend 👆

[@TheHobbyistT]

“The celts liked being as terrifying as they are practical”. *efficiency*

[@jacktribble5253]

"Bladed hammer?"

[@Sygg-uj3ze]

More like a cudgel-ended weighted axe

[@SPECTREHEY-YO]

PHUCKING EPIC INTRO!! Great video mate

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Glad you liked it!

[@teyanuputorti7927]

I didn't know you stream on twitch but by the way great video mate. My first introduction to war hammers was the game Skyrim you're so funny Castle.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

It's a more relaxed format for hanging out and talking about modern folklore and stories, fiction and the like. I am glad I can make you laugh my friend 🙏

[@teyanuputorti7927]

you're welcome@@BlackDragonTavern

[@Wastelandman7000]

I find it interesting that some forms of weapon occur in places that supposedly had no communication with each other. The Irish war club is not dissimilar to native American war clubs. Or Zulu war clubs. When you have an idea that works it works pretty much everywhere.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Yeah, more or less 😁

[@user-ve3oi7bl6l]

I am really interested in the Celtic history and culture. Your channel is just what the doctor ordered. :)

[@BlackDragonTavern]

It is a pleasure and privilege. Though I will note that our Clans culture is not representative of the Celtic culture as a whole. We are an aberrancy in that way, but I am very glad you enjoy😁

[@LochMessNomster]

Oh ho! Found a new channel to follow!

[@BlackDragonTavern]

The topics are broad, the lore is old, I'm a bit crass, but the stories get told 😎 I hope you enjoy your time here

[@LochMessNomster]

@@BlackDragonTavern lol thanks!, I love lore from the island, and I use alot of it in DnD, if it helps any bit, I'm looking for more info myself on western European martial arts styles, like Viking Glima or possibly some kinda hand to hand combat. Could be a good video yeah? Lol

[@V-a-s-h]

Just found you and I love you!

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Oh hush😘 Thank you for your patronage at the Tavern

[@benparrish672]

You got me to sub cuz i love anything & everything about weapons. Ive always wondered what weapon Cain killed Abel with. Spear or Mace most likely

[@BlackDragonTavern]

A pleasure to have you in the tavern😁

[@lynseydrewitt3344]

Been researching via internet and books, for the last few days. Thank you the great presentation! Computer generated, boring, uninspiring, for most of the video I've witnessed! Ancient Celtic warriors? Know anything of the battle equipment for the Iceni? (Turns out we did Saxon warrior Queens here too!) Thanks again hun x

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Hmmm. I don't know any equipment off the top of my head, but I can shoot my cousin an email, see what the records have on it :) I appreciate the compliment, I try my best to tell a good story for you crazy lot!

[@Inquisitor_Vex]

What Saxon warrior queens?

[@Sygg-uj3ze]

If we remember the older Steppes designs of heavier four steed chariots functioned more like armored scything battle taxis or circling wagonlike missile platforms, the mobility of Keltic chariots might have encouraged heavier freakier weaponry for dismounted dueling or a shock cavalry charge: when every spear or weighted dart has been cast, you'll need something for the champs wearing armor

[@lochthefox6397]

I'm pretty sure there are records from Roman clerks/chronologists of Hibernian blades tearing through bronze shields.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

It was one of the major notes of Caesar about the Celts during Rome's war with them. It's not mentioned a lot, but I assume it wouldn't need to be recorded more than a couple times before the romans were like "Hey, try not to get hit, yeah?"

[@Pub2k4]

8:13 I’m someone in the KZbin comments who knows everything, and blunt force can separate a head from a body… but the head is more likely to just explode from that kind of kinetic energy. I’m speaking from the experience of actually seeing something like this happen. Send me a DM on Instagram if you want to hear that story.

[@midnightgreen8319]

I've become really fond of the Sparth battle axe. Horrifying weapon.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Absolutely 👆

[@Greye13]

While I am curious about the Shillelagh and whether or not women were allowed/trained to use them, I am much more interested in the weapons of the Tuatha de Danaan and the Tuatha de Danaan themselves. I find them to be very elusive and mysterious and thus, utterly fascinating. From what I've learned of them, they actually sound fairly advanced - even when compared to our modern times. I think that mythology/history have neither done them justice, nor been at all kind to them. Were they extremely warlike....? Maybe, but that could be said of many human cultures as well. 🙂 Thanks Castle.

[@MrTrilbe]

While the Falcate is a beautiful thing, i'm rather fond of the Carp's Tongue swords myself, specially in bronze, late bronze age leaf bladed swords are also a thing of beauty

[@biptyb5561]

Im guessing the sickle was because Irish people are associated with slash hooks, most prominently travellers, but its a major anachronism

[@Inquisitor_Vex]

I assumed because of the Celtic/Druid connection with sickles as a sacred tool for harvesting holy plants.

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

It is strange that they chose a hand sickle. Thats usually just associated w/ witchcraft & its female in its association. The falcata would be a good choice i prefer a leaf bladed antenna sword but both are good weapons. I have replicas of both. The falcata is by depeeka buts its still pretty nice. I forged/cast my leaf blade swords myself though.

[@scottpofahl8208]

Do you have a source for the two handed hammer? It sounds badass but I'm having a hard time finding any examples outside this video. Are they in the book you have the amazon link to?

[@BlackDragonTavern]

There aren't many good books on it, but there are a few academic papers that mention them. I'll see if I can find a link and I'll throw it your way

[@scottpofahl8208]

@@BlackDragonTavern thanks man!

[@AnnPMadera]

The Falcata is an Iberian weapon. It was in use in the Spanish bronze age. Celts did use it, and introduced tempered steel to Iberia, but the weapon is not itself a Celtic invention. Also, you seem to be fueling the idea Gaels and Britons are Celts. We're not. Closely related but Celts lived on the continent. It wasn't until the late 1700s anyone suggested we're all the same thing. Consider an iron age Briton would seen a Iueriu (Irish people) as utterly foreign. Dressed different, spoke a different language, but had a sort of shared religion. They'd also see Keltoi (actual Celts inhabiting Europe) as Galloi (foreigners). Gauls didn't call themselves Gauls. That's what they called other people. Galli (singular) or Galloi (plural); foreigners.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Of course. All of which I'm aware of, but that's also a lot of information to include in a simple top 3/5/10 list. The Gaels, the Britons, the Gauls, the Picts, the Galatians, the Celts (Scotch and English), and Milesian are all distinctly different cultures that blur even more as you get back to Babylon. But they are associated cultures developmentally that share many mythological commonalities, and several single and multiple point interactions over the course of the last 2000 odd years. When I say "we" in videos I am referring to my grandfather's Clan, which has a uniquely long tradition of storytelling/keeping and we are Norse/Gael from southern Ireland. I make a note in many, if not all of my videos that many of these stories will differ from what is widely or academically accepted, though in instances like this the information is widely available and generally accurate to what is academically accepted. While it is technically an Iberian weapon, the Milesians share many commonalities with the Iberians and likewise the Gaels and Celts ended up with some strikingly similar weapons and armor. These lists are more meant to be brain teasing and fun, not so much in depth and semantical. That's why I provide the spelling for most things either on screen or in description so people can go delve deeper if they're interested. I appreciate the comment though, I'm sure many will find it to be an interesting addition 🙏

[@Inquisitor_Vex]

I actually hate this argument/theory. Denmark, Sweden and Norway all have different cultures and languages but we can still recognise them as “Scandinavian”. Eg, “You know Vikings didn’t call themselves Vikings” True but we all know who we’re talking about when we say Vikings. You said “the Gauls didn’t call themselves Celts” Which contradicts what Julius Cesar himself said which goes something like: “All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgae inhabit, the Aquitani another, those who in their own language are called “Celts,” in our language “Gauls,” the third. All these differ from each other in language, customs and laws.”

[@AnnPMadera]

@@Inquisitor_Vex I didn't say Gauls didn't call themselves Celts. I said they did, and did not call themselves Gauls. It would've been illogical if they did. They said 'Keltoi', Celts. Gaul comes from the old Celtic word for a foreigner. Nobody calls themself a foreigner in their own country. Christ, learn to read.

[@Inquisitor_Vex]

@@AnnPMadera well yes, Gaul is an exonym used by others to describe the Celts. I misspoke but my comment was addressing the idea that Gaels and Britons aren’t/weren’t Celtic. Which flies in the face of the archeological, genetic and linguistic records. Anyone with any knowledge on Celts knows they aren’t/weren’t a monolith but a group of cultures with shared heritage. I’ve just seen too many people trying to make the argument that the idea of “Celtic” culture doesn’t exist and thought you were making the same point.

[@AnnPMadera]

@@Inquisitor_Vex Oh, I didn't mean anything of the sort. I think we must then be of the same mind. It is a complicated matter. I didn't mean at all to impugn yourself. Do forgive. Seems a simple misunderstanding.

[@STriderFIN77]

Finnish DLC!?, oh shiets i needs to upgrade before i can go outdoors o.O

[@L0c0L1zard07]

The Shillelagh is pronounced Sail éille in Gaelic meaning “thronged willow”, they were usually made of black thorn

[@godzilloid]

The shillelah ( or more correctly, bata. Shillelagh is the town where they were made) really came into prominence when the British outlawed any irishmen form carrying weapons. Walking sticks, however were fine. Big mistake from Britain.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Yes indeed 😂

[@Thatoneguy-ju6gq]

I doubt it would take a head clean off I mean if it did take the head off there would be blood everywhere and thats not clean at all So unclean the victim may lose their mind Although it may also not be lost so much as over there, over there, and up there,

[@1MeowNow]

But a two handed hammer from horseback?

[@BlackDragonTavern]

I cannot overstate how rare the method was, but swinging heavier weapons from chariot or horseback was a reported tactic of the Celts, using the downward momentum and the speed of the horse to damage armor or knock mounted enemies to the ground. Again, it was rare, but it was one of many things noted by the likes of Caesar about the terrifying nature of the barbaric Celts

[@1MeowNow]

@@BlackDragonTavern thx

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Of course 😁 thanks for the comment

[@Sygg-uj3ze]

You could hurl lighter rounded hammers of stone or javelins before smushing the slowed prey with a short galloping pass and a side swipe

[@ZombyJello]

Wait, you're doing MTG lore?!

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Starting this week, yeppers 😁

[@ZombyJello]

@@BlackDragonTavern I can't wait to show co-captain!

[@Ima184mm]

Celts were most higher rank warriors used Sword

[@BlackDragonTavern]

That's was true in most cultures until the 1500s. Sword making was difficult and expensive, so a good sword could only be afforded by the rich or by a highly skilled military individual

[@michaelmonteforte37]

was there an Irish scean dubh like the scots

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Nothing you'd be able to find historically. Later reconstructionists would adopt them to a degree, but that would only be the last hundred years or so. That being said, there is quite a tradition surrounding the exchange of daggers and swords as gifts, so I would presume there's at least something similar in the broader cultural context

[@finbarlyons4042]

more weapons videos, please! from all over the world. and please continue to shit on the assassins creed games

[@danmeuse496]

I thought the falcata was iberian, not irish

[@BlackDragonTavern]

The Irish in the west of Ireland were a part of a group called Milesians, who come from the same part of Europe as the Iberians. So them having the same or similar weapons and armor is not at all surprising.

[@elisabethallison9803]

So your trying to convince us there's only 37 lol 🤣 🤣

[@BlackDragonTavern]

....wait....what did I say about something being 37😂😂

[@elisabethallison9803]

@@BlackDragonTavern oh about there only be 37 illegitimate children lol 🤣 🤣

[@BlackDragonTavern]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@lightblckknight]

Adoption counts. XD

[@thebelfastvikingmartinbrow3603]

You lost me at Warhammer. They where as far as I know Medieval mostly to combat armour.And not really Irish every where used them. And early Irish swords were leaf shape. Then there's the spear two handed axes and swords.? As for wooden clubs well they were really just walking sticks used as weapons because real weapons wasn't allowed. But you could carry a walking stick.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

While certainly a far cry from what we would consider today a war hammer, the inhabitants of Ireland were fashioning hammers, like those used in the hammer throw from the Highland games of Scotland and the Lughnasadh festival of the ancient pagans, as far back as the 18th-century bce. At the same time, they were popularized with the rise of heavy armor, a swift crushing blow to the skull or ribs was a part of Irish warfare from at least the 15th century BCE. Much like the shillelagh, which often doubled as a walking stick, spikes were not unheard of to be mounted to these clubs to cause lacerations and even bone fractures.These spiked shillelagh date back as far as the 5th century CE, but likely predate even that.

[@brent-um5zq]

I like like the list, in fact I constructed something similar to it with a 2 part video on me channel when was making it! check it out if ya like!

[@mmcconnell434]

Cavalry, please not Calvary

[@BlackDragonTavern]

🤨

[@ryanhood6421]

This is such a bunch of bs