Light Lancer

The Early Medieval Light Lancer rides at the intersection of two worlds — the transitional centuries between the collapse of Rome and the rise of the armored knight. Wearing riveted chainmail over a padded gambeson and a surcoat displaying his lord's colors, he carries a lance of ash or hornbeam and a kite shield. The adoption of the stirrup, which spread across Europe from Central Asian steppe riders between the 7th and 9th centuries, allowed him to brace fully against the impact of a couched charge, transmitting horse and rider momentum into the lance point. He was the fastest serious combat unit of his era, serving as both shock trooper and flank guard. In battle he deals heavy charge damage and excels at pursuing routed enemies. His chainmail offers less protection than a fully armored knight, making him vulnerable to concentrated archery and anti-cavalry spear walls.