quarterstaves

I scaled walls and swam rivers, set bloodhounds, quarterstaves, and blunderbusses at defiance; and, excepting the distant prospect of self-interest which I have hinted at, I was neither to have honour nor reward for my pains.

Saint Ronan's Well 2008

Through the streets parties of Badawin, sword and matchlock in hand, or merely carrying quarterstaves on their shoulders, might be seen hurrying along, frantic at the chance of missing the fray.

Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Meccah 2003

The two are on bad terms; children never meet without exchanging volleys of stones, and men fight furiously with quarterstaves.

Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Meccah 2003

This, which would only have brought us all into a brunt with quarterstaves, and similar servile weapons, was declined, as had been foreseen.

Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Meccah 2003

But we had a vantage-ground about four feet above them, and their palm-sticks and short daggers could do nothing against our terrible quarterstaves.

Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Meccah 2003

Cashel, Garric, and four more of the right lads from the borough with quarterstaves could have sent a wispy rabble like that packing with less effort than as many minutes on the threshing floor after every harvest.

Lord of the Isles 1997

When a particularly fierce sea caught the ship, oarlooms jerked from the hands of men holding them and flailed like quarterstaves in the darkness.

Lord of the Isles 1997

But they turned and squared off with the long-lances like quarterstaves.

The Fate of the Phoenix Culbreath, Myrna 1979

Two men ran past me and took Beorn, throwing up his sword with their quarterstaves, and it seemed to me that it was done over gently.

Wulfric the Weapon Thane 1884

The bold lads shall fight first, with good quarterstaves, in Bideford Market, till all heads are broken; and the head which is not broken, let the back belonging to it pay the penalty of the noble member's cowardice.

Westward Ho!, or, the voyages and adventures of Sir Amyas Leigh, Knight, of Burrough, in the county of Devon, in the reign of her most glorious majesty Queen Elizabeth Charles Kingsley 1847