Key Point: The lance, is a long, pointed weapon designed for thrusting while mounted on horseback, commonly used by cavalry units throughout history.
Today we are taking a look at the lance. The cavalry’s favorite weapon for centuries. You will see how effective the lance really was and everything else connected to it.
So, as always before we go into details I will give you the key takeaway of the entire article right away.
So, what is a lance?
The lance is a long and sturdy weapon, 10 to 14 feet in length, that has been used throughout history for both sport and warfare. It was particularly effective in cavalry charges, where the momentum of a charging horse and rider could deliver a devastating blow to the enemy. The lance evolved over time, with different cultures and time periods producing their own variations of the weapon.
That was the short introduction. Now, let’s continue onwards with the origin of the lance.
Origin Of The Lance
The origin of the lance can be traced back to prehistoric times. This is when early humans used long, pointed sticks for hunting and self-defense. As societies developed and warfare became more organized, the spear evolved into the lance. A weapon specifically designed for use on horseback. The lance was widely used in ancient and medieval times, with different cultures producing their own variations of the weapon. Over time, the design of the lance continued to evolve.
Mainly with changes in materials, shape, and length reflecting advances in technology and tactics.
Now, let’s take a look at its dimensions.
Its Size And Dimensions
A lance was a long and slender weapon, measuring between 10 and 14 feet in length. The shaft of the lance was usually made of wood, with the tip made of iron or steel. The diameter of the shaft varied, but it was typically around 2 inches in width. The length and weight of the lance allowed for powerful thrusts, especially when wielded by a mounted warrior charging into battle.
The design of the lance was optimized for the shock of impact, with the tip often sharpened or reinforced for maximum effectiveness.
And The Materials It Was Made From?
The shaft of the lance was typically made from wood, such as ash or oak. Which was chosen for its strength, flexibility, and lightness. The tip of the lance was usually made from iron or steel, which was harder and more durable than other materials.
In some cases, the tip of the lance was reinforced with additional metal or other materials to increase its strength and effectiveness. Because given how it was used in battle it heavily relied on the tip of the lance. Hence why that part had to be extra hard.
Now, given that Ive mentioned “how it was sued in battle” it’s time we talk tactics.
Lance Tactics
The lance was primarily used as a weapon for charging into battle on horseback. A tactic that is known as the “cavalry charge.” The momentum of the charging horse and rider, combined with the length and weight of the lance, allowed for a powerful thrust that could penetrate armor and inflict significant damage on the enemy.
The aim was to break through the enemy lines and disrupt their formation. This in turn created chaos and confusion that could be exploited by other troops. The effectiveness of the cavalry charge relied on the skill and coordination of the mounted warriors, as well as the speed and agility of their horses.
There were cheaper ways to disrupt enemy formations than a cavalry charge and that is with the use of javelins, which you can see here.
A Famous Cavalry Charge Gone Wrong
One such example is the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. This is where the English army, armed with longbows and lances, defeated a much larger French force. This brings us to the lances weakness and its eventual downfall … you will see what I mean.
The Downfall Of The Lance
The use of lance in warfare began to decline in the 16th century with the advent of firearms. Which could penetrate armor and deliver deadly blows from a distance. This is because the greatest weakness of a lance was an effective ranged weapon. As was demonstrated at the Batlle of Agincourt.
As a result, cavalry tactics shifted towards the use of firearms and swords, rather than the lance. Although the lance continued to be used in some parts of the world, such as in Eastern Europe, where the Polish winged hussars continued to use lances well into the 18th century.
In Conclusion
Thank you for reading an article in our series on polearms. I hope you learned a thing or two. See you at the next one. I suggest looking here, where I discuss the partisan polearm in detail.
Take care!
Source: Medieval Weapons: An Illustrated History of Their Impact” by Kelly DeVries