Weapons That Made Britain (2004): S01E03 – The Lance

Introduction Weapons That Made Britain is a 2004 TV documentary series broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK. It is an examination of important weapons in British history. Presented by film fight coordinator and medieval weapons trainer, Mike Loades. Outline When Norman knights charged Harold’s army at Hastings they hurled their spears from horseback. Less…

Andrew Marshall

06/08/2023

1–2 minutes

History, Military Documentary, Military Technology, Military Weapons

Introduction

Weapons That Made Britain is a 2004 TV documentary series broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK.

It is an examination of important weapons in British history.

Presented by film fight coordinator and medieval weapons trainer, Mike Loades.

Outline

When Norman knights charged Harold’s army at Hastings they hurled their spears from horseback. Less than a century later those spears were tucked under knights’ arms and had become the ultimate heavy impact weapon: the cavalry charge with lances. It was to change warfare forever as armies had to find a way of stopping the thundering combination of men and horses.

Weapons That Made Britain Series

You can find a full index and overview of Weapons That Made Britain here.

Production & Filming Details

Release Date: 10 July 2004.
Running time: 60 minutes.
Rating: Unknown.
Country: UK.
Language: English.