Historically, maces were one of the most important weapons in an army. They were especially common during medieval times, when they were used in close combat to break the chain mail or body armor of the opposing fighting force. Generally wielded by knights, maces stand out from the usual clubs thanks to the heads on the end of a shaft. Over time, maces became a symbol of nobility and were often used by cavalry, albeit with much longer shafts, more suited for mounted combat.