century, but its actual use had died out well before that time. The Battle of Coutras (20 October 1587) between the forces of Henry of Navarre and the Royalist force commanded by the Duc de Joyeuse during the French Wars of Religion illustrated the demise of the heavy lancer. Navarre's cavalry comprised 1,300 armoured pistoleers whilst the Royalists deployed 2,000 gendarmes. Within a few minutes of combat the Royalist lancers were routed, many being captured and held for ransom. Only the Polish hussars continued to use the lance into the late 17th century. The use of the lance required great skill and constant practice, whereas the use of pistols in battle was far less demanding. This is probably one factor behind the disappearance of the armoured lancer in Western Europe, another being the widespread adoption of the infantry pike. Notes References Tincey, J. and Turner, G. (illustrator) (2002) Ironsides: English cavalry, 1588-1688, Osprey Publishing Oman, Sir Charles W. C. (reprinted 1998) History of the Art of War in the 16th Century, Greenhill Books. Cavalry Military units and formations of the Early Modern period 16th- and 17th-century warrior types Western plate armour