A roundhead was a type of mace used during the

English Civil War The English Civil War (1642–1651) was a series of civil wars and political machinations between Parliamentarians (" Roundheads") and Royalists led by Charles I ("Cavaliers"), mainly over the manner of England's governance and issues of re ...

. It is described as having a head about , a staff long inserted into the head, twelve iron spikes round about, with another spike in the end. In 1643 an article in '' Mercurius Civicus'' claimed the weapon was called a roundhead by the

Cavalier The term Cavalier () was first used by Roundheads as a term of abuse for the wealthier royalist supporters of King Charles I and his son Charles II of England during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration (1642 – ). It ...

s because they were to be used to beat the

Roundhead Roundheads were the supporters of the Parliament of England during the English Civil War (1642–1651). Also known as Parliamentarians, they fought against King Charles I of England and his supporters, known as the Cavaliers or Royalists, who ...

s into subjection.Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd Edition, Roundhead †2. citing ''Mercurius Civicus'' No. 11. 84

References and notes

Attribution: * Polearms {{Blunt-weapon-stub