Unveiling the Horrendous Bollock Dagger Discovered Near a 13th-Century Cathedral

A recent excavation outside a 13th-century cathedral in Belgium has led to the discovery of a unique and intriguing weapon known as the bollock dagger. This article explores the historical context, significance, and peculiarities of this weapon, shedding light on its use during the Middle Ages. The bollock dagger, characterized by its distinctive handle resembling male testes, was often carried as a secondary weapon by European men for close combat scenarios.

Ypres, a significant region during World War I located in Belgium, was home to several major battles on the Western Front. One casualty of wartime bombing was St. Martin’s Cathedral, a medieval mega-cathedral dating back to the 13th century. The recent excavations near Ypres Cathedral have unearthed remnants of the city’s former harbor quay wall, providing valuable insights into the medieval harbor’s layout and functioning.

During the excavation, archaeologists uncovered coins, cutlery, jugs, and other artifacts from thick clay deposits. Among the finds, the bollock dagger stood out as an intriguing and somewhat shocking discovery. The handle of this weapon featured two sphere-shaped ornaments resembling male testicles, giving it its distinctive name.

In the medieval era, hand-to-hand combat was often a matter of life or death, with fighters needing a backup weapon if they dropped their primary sword. The bollock dagger served this purpose and was worn around the waist by many European men. With its long, narrow point, the dagger was primarily used to stab opponents in the genital region, serving as a vicious close-combat weapon.

In Victorian Britain, the bollock dagger’s true nature was deemed too crude, leading to its gentrification and renaming as the kidney dagger. This euphemistic term aimed to mask the weapon’s explicit connotations, reflecting the societal norms and sensibilities of the time. The dagger’s handle, resembling male genitalia, was seen as a parody or joke, rather than a purely practical design.

The excavation near Ypres Cathedral has yielded significant archaeological finds, including the bollock dagger. The archaeologists also uncovered the foundations of medieval wooden loading cranes, previously identified only on medieval maps. The preservation and display of the old quay wall, measuring 50 meters in length, are planned in a new city square, showcasing the historical importance of the site.

The discovery of the bollock dagger near Ypres Cathedral offers a glimpse into the combat practices and cultural nuances of the Middle Ages. Despite its crude appearance and explicit functionality, the weapon provides valuable insights into the strategies and weaponry employed during that era. By unraveling the mysteries surrounding historical artifacts like the bollock dagger, archaeologists continue to enrich our understanding of the past and its peculiarities.

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