#lancegay

Text: Apparent in the military manual published by Sir John Smythe in 1599, when the author describes the arming and training of light horsemen 'such as in diuers shires of england we doo now vse'. In Smythe's opinion, ...and instead of Launaces or speares, I woulde wish them to haue Launces commonlie called Launcezagayas of good, tite, and stiff ash, coloured black, with double heads of good and hard temper according to the vse of the Moores of 18. or 20. foot long; to the intent that taking them in the midst, they may strike both forward and backewarde, I maen aswell [sic] their enemies that they haue in frunt [sic] or in flanks....