I don't mean to overload you, Hengest, so please take your time and don't bother apologizing for making me wait; I'm always willing to wait for quality.
Why were certain weapons more popular than others? For example, all over Europe we have swordsmen and sword fighting styles - whether it be rapier swashbuckling or two-hander brutality - but we don't see as much popularity or systematic training in weapons like the battle axe or flail. Of course, other weapons were used plenty, especially lances and bows, I don't mean to give that impression. All I'm curious about is why we have well defined systems for swordsmanship but not for hammersmanship or axemanship, for example.
Or, am I totally off base and the popularity of the sword if modern, thus causing the real history to be ignored? If such is the case, are there any resources for systems using axes, because I want some.
Thanks for the great thread and cheers mate.