Battledore has a number of meanings. It can be a tool used to beat c lothes while washing them, a tool to flatten to bottom of glass vessels during making, or a long handled paddle to remove bread from an oven.

11 minutes ago, Bill W said:

I'm glad they didn't go with the game that used the battledore.  Can you imagine a group of school kids being taught that game and deciding that the first part of the name of the item they were holding in their hand was more appropriate and began using it to whack each other?  I'm not certain how solid the battledore was, but I'm sure it was more formidable than a badminton racket.  

Those paddles were lightweight with a striking surface made of parchment or stretched gut. It wouldn't make much of a weapon.