The Byzantines used lances in both overarm and underarm grips, as well as being couched under the arm (held horizontally).

The Byzantine cavalry used lances ( Kontos (weapon) or kontarion) almost exclusively, often in assorted mounted archer and lancer formations ( cursores et defensores). Warring States lance head (pi) Middle Ages As a secondary weapon, lancers of the medieval period also carried daggers, swords, axes, hammers, or maces for use in hand-to-hand combat, since the lance was often a one-use-per-engagement weapon assuming the lance survived the initial impact intact, it was (depending on the lance) usually too long, heavy, and slow to be effective against opponents in a melee.

Though best known as a military and sporting weapon carried by European knights, the use of lances was widespread throughout Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa wherever suitable mounts were available. Lances were often equipped with a vamplate – a small circular plate to prevent the hand sliding up the shaft upon impact. During the periods of classical and medieval warfare, it evolved into being the leading weapon in cavalry charges, and was unsuited for throwing or for repeated thrusting, unlike similar weapons of the javelin and pike family typically used by infantry. The lances are held with a one-handed over-the-head grip.Ī lance is a pole weapon designed to be used by a mounted warrior or cavalry soldier ( lancer). Norman cavalry attacks the Anglo-Saxon shield wall at the Battle of Hastings as depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry.

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