Lancers

Lancers are cavalrymen who fight primarily with a lance, a long spear designed for use from horseback. The concept emphasizes mounted shock action, exploiting speed, reach, and momentum to puncture enemy formations or infantry lines. While the exact weapon and armor varied by region and era, the defining feature remained the use of a long, piercing spear carried by a horseman.

Historically, lancers appeared in many parts of Eurasia. In antiquity and the medieval period, mounted spear fighting was common among steppe peoples, Byzantine and Islamic armies, and later European feudal forces. By the early modern era, organized lancer units spread widely in Europe and the surrounding regions. These regiments often emphasized mobility and speed over heavy armor, performing rapid charges and then skirmishing or exploiting gaps in enemy lines. The design of lancer regiments varied, with different lance lengths, spearheads, and accompanying weapons such as swords or pistols for close combat.

Equipment and tactics center on the spear and mounted maneuver. The lance could be used in a single-handed charge or couch-fired from a gallop to maximize impact. Riders typically wore lighter armor or none at all, prioritizing balance and agility. Anti-cavalry and infantry tactics gradually evolved to counter lance charges, while firearms and trained infantry reduced the effectiveness of heavy cavalry on the battlefield.

In the modern era, the traditional use of lancers declined with advances in firearms and artillery. Some lancer units persisted in ceremonial or reconnaissance roles, and the word continues to denote historical cavalry formations in many armies.