Lance

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Rhaegar Targaryen dipping his lance to Lyanna Stark at Lord Whent's great tournament. Illustration by Paolo Puggioni for The World of Ice & Fire.

A lance is a type of spear designed for charging cavalry. It may be used in battle or in a martial sport called jousting. It is considered a knight's weapon.[1][2]

A soldier who wields a lance in battle is called a lancer.[3]

Types

War lance

The war lance is eight feet long, made of banded ash ending in an iron or steel point. It is designed to pierce plate armor and kill the wielder's opponent.[4]

Tourney lance

The tourney lance is twelve feet long, made of tapered wood made to break upon impact, ending in rounded iron.[4] It is lighter than a war lance and designed to knock the wielder's opponent off their horse rather than deal a fatal blow,[5] though sometimes splinters from the broken lance may wound or kill.[6]

In Heraldry

The coat of arms of House Gaunt depicts three black lances.[7] The coat of arms of House Risley depicts a knight bearing a golden lance.[8] The coat of arms of House Wydman depicts five splintered lances.[9]

Heraldic banners are often attached to lances.[10][11][12][13][14]

History

Lord Leo Tyrell was called "Longthorn" for his prowess with a lance. He is considered by many to be the finest jouster in history.[15]

At the trial of seven of Ser Duncan the Tall, Duncan's team used tourney lances to counter the war lances used by Prince Aerion's team, as tourney lances are longer.[4]

Lormelle Long Lance was once defeated by Ser Barristan Selmy.[16]

Robb Stark is better with a lance than his half brother, Jon Snow.[17] Similarly Ser Loras Tyrell is a better lance than his older brother, Ser Garlan Tyrell.[18]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

At the Hand's tourney, Jaime Lannister uses a lance fashioned from goldenheart.[19]

Tyrion Lannister offers to supply the Vale mountain clans with lances, among other weapons.[20]

Lord Beric Dondarrion is killed by Ser Gregor Clegane's lance at the Mummer's Ford and dies for the first time before being resurrected by his friend, Thoros of Myr.[21][22][23]

A Clash of Kings

Instead of banners, the Wild Hares attach rabbit skins to their lances.[24]

A Storm of Swords

Oznak zo Pahl uses a fourteen foot long lance, swirled in pink and white.[25]

At the battle beneath the Wall, the wildlings use fire-hardened lances.[26]

The Winds of Winter

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Warning
This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

The lance is the weapon of choice of Elia Sand which led her father to call her Lady Lance.[27]

References