"Armored horse archers also with spear/lance - how?" Topic

Hi,

This is just a point of practical curiosity. In the late Roman period, you start to see the appearance of cavalry that evidently wielded both bow and lance. I'm curious what they did they did with the lance when they were using the bow? How did they "stow" it to free up both hands?

Cheers,

Christopher

In drawings I've seen where someone tries to depict this, the lance is on a strap and slung over the back. I'm hoping the artists have some evidence for that but I've just seen the art.

Probably something like this.

link

Slung over the back on a strap or sometimes a holder attached to the back of the saddle.

Thanks – very interesting! It looks like they might have employed both a toe loop and a shoulder loop. So, if I wanted to add a lance to an armored horse archer figure, it might be better to have it resting on the back of the right shoulder rather then "cross ways" across the back.

Lance earring horse archers were very common in Asia. Mongols and Koreans are known for bearing both. The Korean cataracts had a a wind sock on the back of saddle in family heraldry colors.