lancehead

A lancehead is the pointed metal head of a lance, a pole weapon used in mounted and foot combat. The head is typically forged from iron or steel and is designed to be fixed to a wooden shaft by means of a tang, socket, or binding, sometimes reinforced with a metal collar or ferrule. In archaeological contexts, the term may refer to surviving spear tips recovered from sites where lances were employed.

Designs of lanceheads vary by era and culture. Common European forms include leaf-shaped blades that balance penetration and cutting, lozenge or diamond-shaped points, and slender bodkin points intended for armor penetration. Some lanceheads were barbed to complicate withdrawal after a strike, while others emphasized speed and point stiffness for rapid thrusts. In other regions, such as East Asia, different traditions produced a range of tip shapes suited to local combat styles and armor.

Manufacture and attachment methods also differed. Lanceheads were often tempered for a combination of hardness and toughness. The head could be tang-mounted into the shaft, socketed and retained by binding, or fitted with a metal collar to secure the intersection and prevent loosening during use. The shaft itself was typically made of wood, sometimes hardened or reinforced.

Historically, lanceheads played a central role in cavalry tactics across many medieval and early modern armies, with variations adapted to the armor, training, and terrain of the period. Today, lanceheads are of interest primarily to archaeologists and historians, providing insights into ancient and medieval metallurgy, weapon technology, and battlefield practices.