Lance facts for kids
A lance is a long, heavy pole weapon, similar to a spear, that was mostly used by warriors riding on horseback. Unlike lighter spears, a lance was not meant to be thrown. It was also too long and heavy for quick stabbing motions. Instead, it was designed to be used in a powerful charge.
Lances had strong tips that wouldn't easily break or bend. Many lances also had a special round plate called a vamplate. This plate was placed near the handle to stop the warrior's hand from sliding up the shaft when the lance hit something with force.
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What is a Lance?
Lances were much longer and thicker than spears used by foot soldiers. They were usually about 9 to 10 feet (2.7 to 3 meters) long. This made them very effective for a mounted warrior.
How Lances Were Used in Battle
When a knight or cavalry soldier charged into battle, they would hold the lance tucked under their arm. This way of holding it is called "couching" the lance. By doing this, the full weight and speed of the horse and rider were put behind the lance's tip. This made the lance a very powerful weapon.
Imagine a group of knights on horseback, charging towards you with lances pointed forward! This was a terrifying sight in the Middle Ages. It often caused enemies to panic and run away from the battle. This effect was known as "shock and awe."
The Importance of the Stirrup
The use of the lance became much more effective because of the stirrup. Stirrups are loops that hang from a saddle where a rider places their feet. They allowed the warrior to control their horse better and even stand up in the saddle. This gave them a much more stable and powerful position to use the lance.
Backup Weapons for Lancers
A warrior who used a lance was called a "lancer." Since a lance was often used only once during a charge, lancers also carried other weapons. These might include swords, maces (a type of heavy club), or other weapons for close-up fighting. Once the battle became a close-quarters fight, the long lance was no longer useful.
History of the Lance
Lances were famously used by European knights during the Middle Ages. However, their use wasn't limited to Europe. Warriors across the Old World (Europe, Asia, and Africa) used lances wherever horses were available for warfare.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Norman cavalry attacks the Anglo-Saxon shield wall at the Battle of Hastings as depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. The lances are held with a one-handed over-the-head grip.
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Lance head, Warring States period
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Warring States lance head (pi)
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A lance head from the reenactment of the Eglinton Tournament (1839)
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Drawing from The War Illustrated representing a Russian Don Cossack lancing a German infantryman.
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Russian lance "cavalry pike", type of 1910.
