What fellow masters said. Make sure you keep your gear updated (every 5 levels or so update them), make sure you repair your gear at blacksmith every few days. There are couple of guides around that could provide info.
For Axes&Maces use Bash, set some triggers for endurance and anything else you might find useful. Oh, and make sure you get your weapon skill to lvl 10. Only 1 weapon skill to lvl 10, then master of arms to 10. But every time you start new glad i suggest you reach lvl 10 weapon skill first since it increases your attack power and defense while using that weapon, and will also less fumble and trip over weapons.

I know when i started war (my second glad, I was also very poor ), i just geared him up with all heavy armor. Even tho he got very encumbered he still won most of fights by either damage or exhausting enemy.

Hope any of this will help. Cheers.