The Caltrop ... and the Plague Charmer

[John Winter]

Removed by JW

 

[eddiecurrent]

The caltrop is an ancient, weird and wicked little defensive weapon - a nasty piece of work! History tells us the Romans employed caltrops to permanently remove chariots from the battlefield.

The Caltrop ? and the Plague Charmer | johnwinter.net

In Florida, we have 2 kinds of ground thorn, the sand spur, which grow on wild grass stalks in bunches like grain, and stick to your clothing and IN your feet, and the dreaded caltrops, or puncture vine, which grows on ground creeping vines with yellow flowers. As a Florida urchin, constantly barefoot, you learned of these as soon as you learned to walk. The caltrops were the worst, they go thru flip flops and cripple you, flatten bike tires, ambush you as you ran thru a field.
Now I know how it got it's name. Got into more'n one fight where you and your opponent rolled around in these monsters. They were worse than being punched.

 

[smokeythecat]

Caltrops were in use during the Revolution also.

 

[John Winter]

Yep. A simple but effective weapon!