Slitherine

Watching a game of FOG yesterday reminded me of a question I have long had: how did guys on horses who had a big spear/lance, and a bow actually manage to shoot - where did they put the lance while they fired the bow?

Presumably a related question - would these guys hold their lances all day - seems to me that would be hard work.

I apologise in advance for the complete lack of acronyms or game relevance...

Cam

I think they had a sling kind of arrangement that left the lance pointing out behind their shoulder, The butt of the lance may also have been in a socket to support the bottom of it.

cheers

The typical horse archer with a 7'-8' spear tucked it under his right thigh.

The high medieval knights with the 14+' lances had a sling, their rest position had the point down near the ground. The point in the air position is for manoevering and setting up for the charge. (Of course they didn't also use bows)

>The high medieval knights with the 14+' lances had a sling, their rest position had the point down near the ground. >The point in the air position is for manoevering and setting up for the charge. (Of course they didn't also use bows)

I'd have to contest this statement. The best evidence available indicates medieval knights and men at arms had a cart to carry their lances, and pages and squires to deliver them when needed. If there was waiting involved, or riding around carrying a lance they rested it over their shoulders. A good example of this is in Durer's knight engravings.

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/durr/ho_43.106.2.htm

The lance socket is a myth invented by modern authors. To my knowledge there is no art, no archeology, no wardrobe accounts or inventories to support it.

Of course, the battle lance wasn't one of those hollowed out monstrosities favoured in tourneys, they were just long spears with a slight taper for strength.

Have fun!
Cole