![]() ![]() (However, the pike had already been used by Philip II of Macedon in antiquity to great effect, in the form of the sarissa.) During the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries, these weapons, both mounted and unmounted, were so effective that lancers and pikemen not only became a staple of every Western army, but also became highly sought-after mercenaries. This adaptation of the cavalry lance to infantry use was largely tasked with stopping lance-armed cavalry charges. ![]() These eventually led to the rise of the longest type of spears, the pike. Cavalry thus outfitted and deployed had a tremendous collective force in their charge, and could shatter most contemporary infantry lines.īecause of the extreme stopping power of a thrusting spear, it quickly became a popular weapon of infantry in the Late Middle Ages. It is commonly believed that this became the dominant European cavalry tactic in the 11th century after the development of the cantled saddle and stirrups (the Great Stirrup Controversy), and of rowel spurs (which enabled better control of the mount). Two variants on the couched lance charge developed, the French method, en haie, with lancers in a double line, and the German method, with lancers drawn up in a deeper formation which was often wedge-shaped. įormations of knights were known to use underarm-couched military lances in full-gallop closed-ranks charges against lines of opposing infantry or cavalry. The length of the standard kontarion is estimated at about 2.5 meters (8.2 ft), which is shorter than that of the medieval knight of Western Europe. The Byzantines used lances in both overarm and underarm grips, as well as being couched under the arm (held horizontally). The Byzantine cavalry used lances ( kontos or kontarion) almost exclusively, often in mixed formations of mounted archer and lancer formations ( cursores et defensores). These required the use of both hands to thrust. History of use Warring States lance head (pi) Late Roman ĭuring the late 3rd century the weapons of the cavalry attached to each Roman legion evolved from javelins and swords to sometimes include long reaching lances ( contus). The longer types of thrusting spear used by infantry are usually referred to as pikes. The term from the 17th century came to refer specifically to spears not thrown, used for thrusting by heavy cavalry, and especially in jousting. ![]() The English verb to launch "fling, hurl, throw" is derived from the term (via Old French lancier), as well as the rarer or poetic to lance. Also compare λόγχη ( lónkhē), a Greek term for "spear" or "lance".Ī lance in the original sense is a light throwing spear or javelin. The name is derived from the word lancea - the Roman auxiliaries' javelin or throwing spear although according to the OED, the word may be of Iberian origin. Etymology Lance head, Warring States period Lancers of the medieval period also carried secondary weapons such as swords, battle axes, war hammers, maces and daggers for use in hand-to-hand combat, since the lance was often a one-use-per-engagement weapon assuming the lance survived the initial impact without breaking, it was often (depending on the lance) too long, heavy, and slow to be effective against opponents in a melee. Though best known as a military and sporting weapon carried by European knights and men-at-arms, the use of lances was widespread throughout Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa wherever suitable mounts were available. Lances were often equipped with a vamplate, a small circular plate to prevent the hand sliding up the shaft upon impact, and beginning in the late 14th century were used in conjunction with a lance rest attached to the breastplate. In ancient and medieval warfare, it evolved into the leading weapon in cavalry charges, and was unsuited for throwing or for repeated thrusting, unlike similar weapons of the javelin and pike family typically used by infantry. The lances are held with a one-handed over-the-head grip.Ī lance is a thrusting spear designed to be used by a mounted warrior or cavalry soldier ( lancer). Norman cavalry attacks the Anglo-Saxon shield wall at the Battle of Hastings as depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. For other uses, see Lance (disambiguation). ![]()
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