CombatWombat51
First Post
IRL, what do/did riders do with their lances before and after fights? Something I always wanted to know, but never had a pool of such useful folks to ask 
My lance doesn't fit in the sheath!
- Thread starter CombatWombat51
- Start date
barsoomcore
Unattainable Ideal
Squire, sheath my lance!
But sir, it won't fit!
But sir, it won't fit!
CombatWombat51 said:IRL, what do/did riders do with their lances before and after fights? Something I always wanted to know, but never had a pool of such useful folks to ask
A medieval war saddle had a small cup like thing called a lance rest or later a lance bucket. Sometimes the rests were bolted to tournament armor but I doubt this was done in war
Normally however an awkward weapon like a lance was kept at the camp probably on a weapons rack in the tent or leaned up against something solid or maybe just left (capped) on the ground till it was needed
When the battle commenced the Knight would (I am guessing here) grab a lance (or maybe a couple) then ride to battle
Keep in mind lances were semi disposable so after they were used up the knights would likely ride into melee with his sidearm .
Later if all of handy lances were used up and there were still expected to be charges I suspect spares were kept bundled in sheaves (or maybe just stacked) in wagons and could be fetched ny squires or whoever needed them
barsoomcore
Unattainable Ideal
Squire, remove my lance from your small cup like thing!
I can't, sir, it's bolted to your armour.
...
Somebody help me.
I can't, sir, it's bolted to your armour.
...
Somebody help me.
Imperialus
Explorer
Just to continue on what you said Ace, during extended campaigns such as the crusades lances were often cut from whatever wood was avelable, the tips were recycled and they were left in the baggage trains. A poleturners equipment was generally lighter and less bulky than a smiths or armourers so a sizable number of turners probably joined the masses of camp followers.
A knight would probably carry around 3 or 4 lances in his personal train which he would restock as required by purchaceing them from a poleturner. Keep in mind that open field battles of the time period were typically quite shortlived. The vanguard would charge and engage the opposeing van supported by infantry on both sides and then if a second wave was avelable it would charge in to mop up the remainder of the enemy force.
After the inital charge however even unbroken lances would be discarded in favor of some sort of melee weapon as a 10 foot long stick is hardly a practical weapon in a confused and close quarter melee. A knight would very rarely need more than one in a battle.
A knight would probably carry around 3 or 4 lances in his personal train which he would restock as required by purchaceing them from a poleturner. Keep in mind that open field battles of the time period were typically quite shortlived. The vanguard would charge and engage the opposeing van supported by infantry on both sides and then if a second wave was avelable it would charge in to mop up the remainder of the enemy force.
After the inital charge however even unbroken lances would be discarded in favor of some sort of melee weapon as a 10 foot long stick is hardly a practical weapon in a confused and close quarter melee. A knight would very rarely need more than one in a battle.
Shadowdancer
First Post
I'm sure the squire would carry some special oil to help the lance slide into the sheath. 
Ashrum the Black
Explorer
And on that note I'm outta here ...
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