[Jared Smith]

I am sincerely interested in the true nature of "heavy war lances" in the era of 15th century. I have been uncertain if there really was such a thing. I had even theorized that the possibility exists that artists depicted "tournament" lances rather than true war lances because tournament lances might have been what they had commonly seen. If you have any information please post it. It would be fantastic and sufficient as a separate stand alone topic!

[Peter Bosman]

Buenas Jared, I have forwarded your question to an archeologist who is specialised in european middle ages.

Personally I think that tournaments heavily influanced the battle-field. Allthough they started out as training in peace-time they quickly became a 'sport' with its own reality. Much like horseriding today which, at least here in western europe, for the largest part has nóthing to do with ríding and the perception of 'dressage' has changed riding outside beyond recognition.

We have to realise that lineair time-thinking as we know it is VERY recent. Perception of reality in medieval europe was very different from ours (and from the muslim one for that).
Barbara Tuchman makes several very clear observations on the limitating role of the tournaments on warfare.
I guess the tournament lance develloped quickly from the warring instrument and 'superceded' it there. Same thing about the armament and armour of knight and steed.

Same thing can be applied to the Mamluks. The documents I have speak of differing tactics in the hippodrome, home - and enemy territory yet does not differentiate in weaponry whereas this is cléarly oriented on the hippodrome 'sport'.

Anyway, the question is receiving cholastic attention.

Peter

[Jared Smith]

Thank you.

I do not have much opportunity to ride ( maybe twice per year now, cutting horses that compete for cattle team penning.) Much of my interest in equipment is based upon romanticism of the medieval "knight". Yet most evaluations of modern reproductions of equipment seems to be made with no experience in mounted context. I am particularly appreciative of those such as yourself who are evaluating things as they actually seem from horseback.

Jared

[Peter Bosman]

It is sometimes called 'applied archeology' and I have a lot of support and interest of archeologist friends.

One needs to be carefull though as 'practicality' is not much of an argument. Just think of why people buy a Ferrari or an urban 4x4 and imagine that people in say medieval days were a lót more limited by custom, ritual, religion, peer behavior, whatever.
It does provide some information of what míght or coúld and more clearly nót etcetera.

Peter