lances

A lance is a polearm featuring a long shaft with a sharp metal head designed for thrusting. Traditionally used by infantry and, above all, by cavalry, lances are typically between 1.5 and 3.0 meters in length. The head is usually iron or steel, shaped as a bodkin, leaf, or triangular point, and the shaft is made of wood, often reinforced with metal fittings and sometimes capped with a butt spike or lanyard. Lances were designed to deliver powerful, direct thrusts while keeping the wielder at a distance from an opponent.

Lance use has a broad historical distribution. Bronze and iron age cultures across Europe, Asia, and the steppes developed lance-bearing military traditions. In the classical and medieval periods, cavalry charges with lances were a central tactic, allowing armored riders to break formations with the momentum of a mounted spear. In Europe, organized lances and cavalry formations remained influential through the high and late Middle Ages, while in Asia and the Middle East, various polities employed lances alongside other spear-types in different combat styles.

Variants and tactics reflect their roles. The couched lance is held close to the body and driven forward from a charge, maximizing impact while reducing wind resistance. Foot soldiers also used longer, spear-like lances in certain formations, though shorter stabbing spears were common for on-foot combat. Materials and construction evolved from simple wooden shafts with metal heads to more sophisticated, balanced weapons suitable for rapid thrusts and controlled handling.

With the rise of gunpowder weapons, the battlefield role of lances diminished, though they persisted in ceremonial contexts and sport. Modern use includes equestrian jousting and ceremonial staffs, and the term remains a general designation for long thrusting spears in historical works and heraldry.