The Forge Archives

Inactive Forums => The Riddle of Steel => Topic started by: Mokkurkalfe on April 18, 2004, 12:25:46 PM

Title: Spear = Lance ?
Post by: Mokkurkalfe on April 18, 2004, 12:25:46 PM
Hello.

I was wondering if you could use your spear as a lance when mounted. My current solution is that you cannot charge with the horse's strength using a spear, otherwise it works just as a light lance. Or do you need at least a Long spear for that?
Title: Spear = Lance ?
Post by: Muggins on April 18, 2004, 03:10:08 PM
Normally one would require a spear of 7-9 ft in order to have enough length to use it as a lance. Therefore I would say a long spear can be used as a lance, with the horse's strength adding. However, this is all very variable- short horse requires shorter spear!

James
Title: Spear = Lance ?
Post by: Caz on April 18, 2004, 06:53:02 PM
True lances didn't really show up until the later middle ages, so before that, spears were dual pupose lances.  Actually even in the days of true lances, spears were still often used as lances in war.
   The longer the better, of course, but as long as you can reach a guy on the ground with the pointy end while couched, any spear would work.  It wasn't uncommon for sword or estoc wielding men at arms to "couch" their swords like lances, more or less, to stick infantry types.
Title: Spear = Lance ?
Post by: Lance D. Allen on April 19, 2004, 08:44:19 PM
I am not a spear, nor could a spear be used in place of me.
Title: Spear = Lance ?
Post by: Jake Norwood on April 19, 2004, 10:30:43 PM
Quote from: CazTrue lances didn't really show up until the later middle ages, so before that, spears were dual pupose lances.  Actually even in the days of true lances, spears were still often used as lances in war.
   The longer the better, of course, but as long as you can reach a guy on the ground with the pointy end while couched, any spear would work.  It wasn't uncommon for sword or estoc wielding men at arms to "couch" their swords like lances, more or less, to stick infantry types.

What he said.

Jake