LANDSKNECHT PIKE

fearn · 15th January 2011, 07:32 PM

So far as I know, English at the moment is tending towards:

--Spear as a generic (basically, the handle is longer than the blade, and it's more for poking than for chopping, hooking, slicing, or other things)
--Javelin for a spear meant to be thrown
--Lance for a spear meant to be used on horseback
--Pike for a very long spear meant to be used in formation, although there's ample evidence that they were used individually as well.

Obviously these terms don't translate precisely into other languages, and that's fine with me. When in doubt, it's a spear.

Best,

F

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15th January 2011, 07:32 PM	#8
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	So far as I know, English at the moment is tending towards: --Spear as a generic (basically, the handle is longer than the blade, and it's more for poking than for chopping, hooking, slicing, or other things) --Javelin for a spear meant to be thrown --Lance for a spear meant to be used on horseback --Pike for a very long spear meant to be used in formation, although there's ample evidence that they were used individually as well. Obviously these terms don't translate precisely into other languages, and that's fine with me. When in doubt, it's a spear. Best, F