Wing lance

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Carolingian wing lance (8th century)

A winged lance is a special form of a lance in which there are two opposing projections between the lancet-shaped ridge blade and the spout . It was used from the early Middle Ages until around 1200 and was primarily a weapon of war, but was also used to hunt wild boar. As early as the 10th century, the winged lance seemed to have exercised a representative function alongside the sword in the realm of the Ottonians . The Holy Lance , which appeared for the first time among the Ottonians and which was assigned a decisive role in the victory at the Battle of Lechfeld , and the numerous illustrations of guards with winged lances in Ottonian book illumination support this thesis.

The length of the blade is about 50 cm with a width of about 5 cm. The total weight of the lance iron is between 500 and 600 grams.

This type of lance was probably used mainly by the cavalry to hit the enemy at full gallop. In this case, the wings prevented the lance from penetrating too deeply into the body of the enemy or the game and thus made it easier to pull out the lance.

Possibly the wings were also used to parry and deflect opposing blows with lances and spears . Experienced fighters are also able to parry sword blows with it and, due to the length of the weapon, immediately go over to a deadly counterattack. The wing lance could not only be used as a stabbing weapon, but also for cutting and striking attacks, especially against lightly armed opponents, thanks to the long and sharpened blade. Recent studies support this thesis.

In addition to the decorative effect, there was probably the possibility of using the wings to reach behind the opponent's shield in close combat and pull the shield aside. In addition, it could be used to hook parts of the opponent's body.

literature

  • Heinrich Müller, Hartmund Kölling: European cutting and stabbing weapons. From the collection of the Museum of German History. 4th edition. Military publishing house of the German Democratic Republic, Berlin (East) 1986, ISBN 3-327-00041-7 .
  • Matthias Puhle (ed.): Otto the Great. Magdeburg and Europe. von Zabern, Mainz 2001, ISBN 3-8053-2616-5 ( Council of Europe. Art exhibition of the Council of Europe 27).