lancewielding

Lancewielding is the practice of using a lance, a long polearm with a pointed metal head, typically designed for thrusting from horseback or on foot. Lances were widely used in various cultures, most notably by European heavy cavalry.

In medieval Europe, the lance was the primary weapon of heavy cavalry, used to deliver shock from the saddle and pierce armor. With gunpowder development and changes in armor, its battlefield role declined by the early modern period, though lances remained in ceremonial use and in some infantry formations.

Design and variants: Lances typically range from 2 to 4 meters in length; the shaft is wood, with a steel spearhead and sometimes a reinforcing collar near the head. Jousting lances are heavier, with reinforced tips and breakaway heads; ceremonial lances may be elaborately decorated with pennants.

Techniques: Lance combat centers on thrusting from a stable, relying on reach and momentum. Mounted lancers practiced controlled balance, steering, and targeting gaps in armor or horses. Foot combat with a lance is rarer and often combined with shields or other polearms; training emphasized drills, formations, and breakage management.

Modern context: Today, lance warfare survives in sport and reenactment, including jousting tournaments and demonstrations in historical European martial arts. In fiction, lances remain a symbol of cavalry power.