Brief Description:  A medieval lance was a long, devastating polearm designed exclusively for heavy cavalry. Measuring roughly 12 to 14 feet long and made of ash, these formidable weapons harnessed the combined momentum of a galloping horse and rider to deliver a crushing, armor-piercing blow during a battlefield charge.

The medieval lance featured several highly specialized structural components to manage its massive size and force:

The Shaft: Typically crafted from a single piece of wood, often ash or yew. While some smaller lances were solid, many large battle lances were hollowed out to reduce weight.

The Metal Head: Fitted with a sharp, pointed iron or steel head designed to puncture mail or plate armor.

The Vamplate: A small, circular iron or steel plate mounted on the shaft directly in front of the handle. Its purpose was to protect the rider's hand from enemy strikes and prevent it from sliding up the shaft upon high-speed impact.

The Lance Rest: A sturdy ledge attached directly to the rider's breastplate. When charging, the knight would tuck the lance under their arm (the "couched" position) and rest the weapon against this bracket. This transferred the shock of the impact to the horse and the knight's body rather than just their arm.