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'''Medieval weapons''' varied from simple tools to complex engines of emerging [[medieval warfare]] technology.
: ''For other uses of the word, see [[Madeira (disambiguation)]]''
* [[Blade]]
{| {{Prettyinfobox}}
** [[Axe]]
|+<big>'''Região Autónoma da Madeira'''</big><br>(Autonomous Region of Madeira)
*** [[Battle Axe]]
|-
*** [[Danish axe]]
| style=background:#efefef; align=center colspan=2 |
*** [[Doloire]]
{| border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0
*** [[Mattock]] (improvised)
|-
** [[Dagger]] or [[Knife]]
| align="center" width="140px" | [[Image:MadeiraFlag.png|150px|Flag of Madeira]]
*** [[Baselard]]
| align="center" width="140px" |
*** [[Cinquedea]]
|-
*** [[Dirk]]
| align="center" width="140px" | [[Flag of Madeira|In detail]]
*** [[Ear Dagger]]
| align="center" width="140px" | [[Coat of arms of Madeira|In detail]]
*** [[Grosses messer]]
|}
*** [[Machete]]
|-
*** [[Mercygiver]]
| align=center colspan=2 style=border-bottom:3px solid gray; | <font size=-1>''Location''
*** [[Poniard]]
|-
*** [[rondel (dagger)|Rondel]]
| align=center colspan=2 style=border-bottom:3px solid gray; | |<font size=-1>''Detail''
*** [[Scramasax]]
|-
*** [[Stiletto]]
| align=center colspan=2 style=border-bottom:3px solid gray; | <font size=-1>''[[Motto]] of the autonomous region:<br>'''Das ilhas, as mais belas e livres'''''</font><br><small>''([[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]: Of the islands, the most beautiful and free)''</small></font>
*** [[Sword breaker]]
|-
** [[Sword]]
| align=center colspan=2 |
*** [[Bastard Sword]] (often used in fiction)
|-
*** [[Broadsword]]
| [[language|Official language]]
*** [[Claymore]]
| [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]
*** [[Cutlass]] (a little dubious)
|-
|*** [[CapitalFalchion]]
|*** [[FunchalFlamberge]]
*** [[Foil (fencing)]]
|-
| Other*** [[townLongsword]]s
*** [[Rapier]]
| [[Porto Santo]], [[Machico]], [[Santa Cruz]], [[Câmara de Lobos]], [[Santana, Madeira|Santana]], [[Ribeira Brava]], [[Caniço]]
*** [[Sabre]]
|-
|*** [[AreaSpatha]]
*** [[Shortsword]]
| 797 km²
*** [[Two-handed sword]]
|-
| [[Population]] <br> - Total ([[1991]]) <br> - [[Density]]
| <br>c. 250 000 hab. <br>313 hab./km²
|-
| Number of Town [[Council]]s
| 11
|-
| Highest point
| [[Pico Ruivo]], [[Madeira Island]] (1862 m)
|-
| [[Presidents of the regional government of Madeira|President]]
| [[Alberto João Jardim]]
|-
| [[Autonomy]]
| [[1976]]
|-
| [[Currency]]
| [[Euro]]'''¹'''
|-
| [[Time zone]]
| [[UTC]] 0)
|-
| [[Anthem]]s
| [[A Portuguesa]] (national)<br>[[Hino da Região Autónoma da Madeira]] (local)
|-
| colspan=2 align=center | ('''¹''') Before 2002: Portuguese [[escudo]]
|}
* Blunt weapons
The '''Madeira Islands''' ([[Pronunciation|pron.]] [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]] /{{IPA|mɐ.'ðɐj.ɾɐ}}/) is a [[Portugal|Portuguese]] autonomous [[archipelago]] in the north [[Atlantic Ocean]] that lies between {{coor dm|32|22.3|N|16|16.5|W}} and {{coor dm|33|7.8|N|17|16.65|W}}.
** [[Club_(weapon)|Club]]
** [[Flail (weapon)|Flail]]
** [[Mace]]
*** [[Flanged mace]]
** [[Maul]]
** [[Morning star_(weapon)|Morning star]]
** [[Quarterstaff]]
** [[War hammer]]
*** [[Bec de Corbin]]
*** [[Horseman's pick]]
==[[Spears]] and other [[Pole weapon|Polearms]] (axes not included)==
The [[Madeira Islands]], known originally to the Romans as the ''Purple Islands'', were rediscovered (accidentally) by [[Portugal|Portuguese]] sailors and settled by [[Portugal]] in [[1418]]. It is currently an [[autonomous region]].
* [[Ahlspiess]]
** [[Candeliere]]
** [[Breach pike]]
* [[Bardiche]]
* [[Bill (weapon)|Billhook]]
* [[Boar spear]]
* [[Fauchard]]
* [[Footman's lance]]
* [[Glaive]]
* [[Guisarme]]
* [[Halberd]]
* [[Lance]]
* [[Man catcher]]
* [[Military fork]]
* [[Partisan (weapon)|Partisan]]
* [[Pike (weapon)|Pike]]
* [[Plançon a picot]]
* [[Ranseur]]
* [[Spetum]]
* [[Swordstaff]]
* [[Voulge]]
* [[War-scythe]]
==Ranged==
Positioned in the [[Atlantic Ocean]], about 360 miles directly west of [[Morocco]], [[Africa]], and 540 miles southwest of [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]. [[Madeira]] and [[Porto Santo]] are the only inhabited [[islands]].
* [[Bombard (weapon)]]
* [[Bow (weapon)|Bow]]
** [[Longbow]]
*** [[English longbow]]
** [[Short bow]]
* [[Culverin]]
* [[Crossbow]]
** [[Arbalest]]
* [[Francisca]]
* [[Mangonel]]
* [[Sling (weapon)|Sling]]
==Static==
These [[islands]] are a popular year-round [[resort]], famed worldwide for their [[Madeira wine]], embroidery artisans, a perfect climate, striking scenery and beautiful [[flowers]].
*[[Caltrops]]
==Siege==
* [[Battering ram]]
* [[Ballista]]
* [[Catapult]]
* [[Greek fire]]
* [[Petard]]
* [[Siege hook]]
* [[Siege tower]]
* [[Trebuchet]]
==Warships==
==Madeira`s Capital (Funchal)==
* [[Galleon]]
* [[Galley]]
* [[Longship]]
==[[Armor]]==
[[Madeira]]'s almost five-century-old [[capital]] is said to have been named 'Funchal' because of the abundance of fennel (''funcho'') that was growing there.
While armor is not technically a weapon, its development was both driven by weapon technology and a driving force for that same technology in return.
* [[Chainmail]]
[[Funchal]] is located in a unique area. The [[amphitheatre]] of [[Funchal]] city begins at the harbour and rises almost 1200 metres high on gentle slopes. This provides a natural shelter and was what once attracted the first settlers.
* [[Gauntlet (gloves)|Gauntlet]]
* [[Shield]]
* [[Plate armour]]
* [[Scale armour]]
==Fortification==
The harbour and [[climate]] combined with an excellent geographical position allowed [[Funchal]] to have a rapid population growth.
[[Medieval fortification]]s also developed in connection with the weapons that opposed them.
* [[Battlement]]
Today [[Funchal]] is a very [[modern]] city with over 104,000 inhabitants. This does however mean that traffic congestion in the centre can become sometimes quite stressful.
* [[Castle]]
The [[city]] can easily be explored by foot and no matter where your hotel is located (as long as it is in the [[Funchal]] tourist area) you will find no difficulty in walking into the city centre to delight at its sights and sounds.
* [[City wall]]
* [[Gate]]
* [[Moat]]
* [[Drawbridge]]
* [[Portcullis]]
==See also==
Probably the most central point is the Sé [[Cathedral]]. Built between [[1493]] and [[1514]] by [[Gil Eanes]] it represents one of [[Madeira]]'s numerous treasures.
[[Military technology and equipment]]
[[Category:Lists of weapons|Medieval weapons, list]]
[[Category:Medieval weapons]]
[[da:Middelaldervåben]]
== Geography and climate ==
[[ru:Средневековое оружие]]
[[sr:Списак оружја у средњем веку]]
[[Funchal]], the capital of Madeira Island, is on the south coast of the principal island, in {{coor dm|32|37.75|N|16|55.3|W}}. Among Madeira's main cities are: [[Funchal]], [[Porto Santo]] also known as Vila Baleira, Ribeira Brava, [[Machico]], [[Câmara de Lobos]], [[Santa Cruz]], and Calheta.
[[hr:Popis srednjovjekovnog oružja]]
[[sh:Spisak oružja u srednjem veku]]
The archipelago lies about 360 miles from the coast of [[Africa]], 535 miles from [[Lisbon]], 240 from [[Tenerife]], and 480 from Santa Maria, the nearest of the [[Azores]].
[[Madeira Island]] is the largest island of the group with 741 km², has a length of 30 geographical miles (57 km), an extreme breadth of 13 miles (22 km), and a coastline of 80 or 90 miles. Its longer axis lies east and west, in which direction it is traversed by a mountain chain, the backbone of the island, having a mean altitude of 4000 feet (1220 metres), up to which many deep ravines penetrate from both coasts.
On the south there is very little left of the indigenous ''[[laurisilva]]'' forest which once clothed the whole island (until the original settlers decided to clear the land for farming by setting most of the island on fire) and gave it the name it bears (''Madeira'' means "wood" in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]), but on the north some of the valleys still contain native trees of fine growth. These ''laurisilva'' forests, notably the forests on the northern slopes of Madeira Island, are designated a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]].
A long narrow and comparatively low rocky promontory forms the eastern extremity of the island, and here there is to be seen a tract of calcareous sand, known as the Fossil Bed, containing land shells and numerous bodies resembling the roots of trees, probably produced by infiltration.
Its geographical position and mountainous landscape permit a very pleasing climate. Temperatures are about 22 degrees Celsius in the summer and circa 16 degrees Celsius during the winter. With its mild humidity, the weather of the Island is classified as subtropical. Influenced by the [[Gulf Stream]], sea water temperature is 22 degrees Celsius during the summer and 16 in the winter. The islands are of [[volcanic]] origin.
== Culture and people ==
The islands are noted as the source of [[Madeira wine]]. The islands are also known by the flowers and sub-tropical fruits.
The traditional cake of Madeira is called 'Bolo de mel' which translates as 'Honey Cake' and according to custom is never cut with a knife but broken into pieces by hand. It is a rich and heavy cake.
Visitors to the island will see plentiful examples of handicraft on sale in shops.
There are circa 250,000 inhabitants (1991) in the two main islands, only 4,800 live on Porto Santo Island. The population density is 337 inhabitants per square kilometre in Madeira and 112 in Porto Santo. Most of the early settlers were from the Portuguese regions of the Algarve and Minho. The islands have historical monuments, streets and plazas (''praças'') with many gardens and typical small towns.
== History ==
It has been conjectured, but on insufficient evidence, that the [[Phoenician]]s discovered Madeira at a very early period. [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] mentions certain Purple or Mauretanian Islands, the position of which with reference to the Fortunate Islands or [[Canary Islands|Canaries]] might seem to indicate Madeira islands.
Plutarch (''Sertorius'', 75 AD) referring to the military commander Quintus Sertorius (d. 72 BC), relates that after his return to Cadiz following a military reverse in Mauretania, "he met seamen recently arrived from Atlantic islands, two in number, divided from one another only by a narrow channel and distant from the coast of Africa 10,000 furlongs. They are called Isles of the Blest." The estimated distance from Africa, and the closeness of the two islands, seem to indicate Madeira and Porto Santo.
There is a romantic story, of doubtful truth, to the effect that two lovers, Robert Machim and Anna d'Arfet, fleeing from [[England]] to [[France]] in [[1346]], were driven off their course by a violent storm, and cast on the coast of Madeira at the place subsequently named Machico, in memory of one of them. On the evidence of a [[portolan]] dated [[1351]], preserved at [[Florence, Italy]], it would appear that Madeira had been discovered long previous to that date by Portuguese vessels under [[Genoa|Genoese]] captains.
[[Image:Madeira santana.jpg|right|thumb|283px|The northern coast of Madeira in Santana]]
In [[1419]] two of the captains of Prince [[Henry the Navigator]], [[João Gonçalves Zarco]] and [[Tristão Vaz Teixeira]], were driven by a storm to the island called by them Porto Santo, or Holy Port, in gratitude for their rescue from shipwreck. The next year an expedition was sent to populate the island, and, Madeira being described, they made for it, and took possession on behalf of the Portuguese crown.
The islands started to be settled circa 1432 or 1433. In [[September 23]], [[1433]], the name <small>ILHA DA MADEIRA</small> (Madeira Island or "island of the [[forest]]") appears in a map, by the first time, in a document.
In [[1921]], the [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian]] Emperor [[Charles I of Austria|Charles I]] was deported to Madeira, after an unsuccessful [[coup d'état]]. He died there one year later.
In [[1976]], following the [[Carnation revolution|democratic revolution]] of [[1974]], Portugal granted autonomy to Madeira.
==Levadas==
{{main|Levada}}
The island of Madeira is wet in the northwest but dry in the southeast. In the [[16th century]] the Portuguese started building ''levadas'' ([[aqueduct]]s) to carry water to the agricultural regions. There are over 1350 miles of levadas including 25 miles of tunnels and they provide a remarkable network of walking paths.
Two of the best most popular levadas to hike are the ''Levada do Caldeiro Verde'' and the ''Levada Caldeirao do Inferno'' which should not be attempted by hikers prone to vertigo or without torches and helmets. The ''Levada do Canical'' is a much easier walk, running 7.1 miles from [[Maroços]] to the ''Canical Tunnel''. It is known as the ''mimosa levada'' because [[Mimosa|mimosa trees]] are found all along the route.
== Postage stamps ==
In [[1868]], Portugal issued [[postage stamp]]s for Madeira, consisting of the current stamps of Portugal [[overprint]]ed "MADEIRA". This continued until [[1928]], when a series for Madeira was issued; but this was the last to be produced until [[1980]] (stamps of Portugal having been valid in Madeira since [[1898]]), when Portugal began issuing stamps inscribed "Portugal Madeira" that were valid in both Madeira and Continental Portugal, similar to those issued for the [[Azores]].
== Transportation ==
The Islands have two airports, one in [[Santa Cruz]] on the Island of Madeira and the other in the city of [[Vila Baleira]] on [[Porto Santo Island]]. Flights to the islands are mostly made from [[Lisbon]], but there are also direct flights from other major European cities. [[European Union]] citizens of the [[Schengen Treaty]] area can enter the islands freely, while those from other regions need identification. Transportation between the two main islands is done by plane or by ferries which allow for the transportation of vehicles. Visiting the interior of these islands is now very easy, due to large developments on the islands during Portugal's economic boom. There are modern roads, reaching all points of interest on the islands, there's also a good transportation network.
== Islands and main Islets ==
* [[Madeira Island]]
* [[Porto Santo Island]]
* [[Deserta Grande Island]]
* [[Selvagem Grande Island]] ([[Savage Islands]])
* [[Bugio Island]]
* [[Selvagem Pequena Island]] ([[Savage Islands]])
* Selvagens' [[Fora Islet]]
* Desertas' [[Chão Islet]]
== External link ==
{{Commons|Madeira}}
* [http://www.madeiraarchipelago.com Photos of Madeira archipelago]
* [http://www.madeiratourism.org/ Madeira's Official Tourism Website]
* [http://www.latino1.freeserve.co.uk/History.htm Information, Genealogy & History of Madeira & Portugal]
* [http://www.pnm.pt Natural Park of Madeira]
* [http://www.marcelklee.de/madeira/en/ Madeira Trip Report: information on more than just tourist topics]
* [http://www.madeirahelp.com/ Madeira Hotel & Travel Guide]
[[Category:Madeira Islands|*]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of Portugal]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Special territories of the EU]]
[[Category:NUTS 2 Statistical Regions of Europe]]
[[bg:Мадейра (остров)]]
[[ca:Arxipèlag de Madeira]]
[[da:Madeira (ø)]]
[[de:Madeira]]
[[et:Madeira]]
[[el:Μαδέρα]]
[[es:Madeira]]
[[eo:Madejro]]
[[fr:Madère]]
[[gl:Arquipélago de Madeira]]
[[ko:마데이라 제도]]
[[id:Madeira]]
[[is:Madeiraeyjar]]
[[it:Madera]]
[[he:איי מדירה]]
[[hu:Madeira]]
[[nl:Madeira]]
[[ja:マデイラ諸島]]
[[no:Madeira]]
[[pl:Madera]]
[[pt:Madeira (Portugal)]]
[[ro:Madeira]]
[[ru:Мадейра]]
[[fi:Madeira]]
[[sv:Madeira]]
[[zh:馬德拉]]
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