Brief Description:  The medieval club (often called a cudgel, truncheon, or bludgeon) is a simple, close-range blunt weapon predating recorded history. The medieval club operates purely on blunt-force trauma (crushing damage). Rather than cutting or slicing, the immense kinetic energy of a club strike could transfer through heavy armor—causing broken bones, internal bleeding, and concussions without necessarily cutting the target's armor. While less effective against full plate armor (which required specialized weapons like the warhammer or mace), they remained devastating against unarmored combatants and mounted cavalry, as the force could easily break a horse's legs or stun its rider.

Anatomy and Design:

The Grip: Usually carved from a single piece of dense hardwood such as oak, ash, or hickory. The handle may be wrapped in leather or cord to improve grip.

The Striking Head: The distal (outer) end is typically wider, flared, or bulbous to maximize momentum when swung.

Reinforcements: While the simplest clubs are just raw wood, medieval war versions featured heavy metal bands, iron studs, or protruding metal spikes to pierce through padded clothing or light mail.