Editing Lance (section)

===Middle Ages===
The [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] cavalry used lances (''[[Kontos (weapon)|kontos]]'' or ''kontarion'') almost exclusively, often in mixed formations of [[mounted archer]]s and [[lancer]]s (''cursores et defensores''). The Byzantines used lances in both overarm and underarm grips, as well as being couched under the arm (held horizontally). The length of the standard ''kontarion'' is estimated at {{convert|2.5|m|ft|sp=us}}, which is shorter than that of the medieval knight of [[Western Europe]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Timothy|last=Dawson|page=36|title=Byzantine Cavalryman c.900-1204|date=18 August 2009|publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=978-1-84603-404-6}}</ref>

Formations of knights were known to use underarm-couched military lances in full-gallop closed-ranks charges against lines of opposing infantry or cavalry. Two variants on the couched lance charge developed, the French method, ''en haie'', with lancers in a double line, and the German method, with lancers drawn up in a deeper formation which was often wedge-shaped. It is commonly believed that this became the dominant European cavalry tactic in the 11th century after the development of the cantled saddle and stirrups (the [[Great Stirrup Controversy]]), and of rowel [[spur]]s (which enabled better control of the mount). Cavalry thus outfitted and deployed had a tremendous collective force in their charge, and could shatter most contemporary infantry lines.

Because of the extreme stopping power of a thrusting spear, it quickly became a popular weapon of infantry in the [[Late Middle Ages]]. These eventually led to the rise of the longest type of spears, the [[Pike (weapon)|pike]]. This adaptation of the cavalry lance to infantry use was largely tasked with stopping lance-armed cavalry charges. During the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries, these weapons, both mounted and unmounted, were so effective that lancers and pikemen not only became a staple of every Western army, but also became highly sought-after mercenaries. (However, the pike had already been used by [[Philip II of Macedon]] in antiquity to great effect, in the form of the [[sarissa]].)

In Europe, a [[jousting]] lance was a variation of the knight's lance which was modified from its original war design. In jousting, the lance tips would usually be blunt, often spread out like a cup or furniture foot, to provide a wider impact surface designed to unseat the opposing rider without spearing him through. The centre of the shaft of such lances could be designed to be hollow, in order for it to break on impact, as a further safeguard against impalement. They were on average {{convert|3|m|ft|sp=us}} long, and had hand guards built into the lance, often tapering for a considerable portion of the weapon's length. These are the versions that can most often be seen at [[medieval]] reenactment festivals. In war, lances were much more like stout spears, long and balanced for one-handed use, and with sharpened tips.

====Lance (unit organization)====
{{main|Lances fournies}}

As a small unit that surrounded a knight when he went into battle during the 14th and 15th centuries, a lance might have consisted of one or two [[squire]]s, the knight himself, one to three [[Man-at-arms|men-at-arms]], and possibly an [[archer]]. Lances were often combined under the banner of a higher-ranking nobleman to form companies of knights that would act as an ad hoc unit.