Holding a Spear on your Back?

[Urselius]

Nineteenth century lancers often had a leather 'boot' attached to the right stirrup. When the lance was not in use the butt was placed in the stirrup boot and a thong attached to a point about a third the way up from the butt of the lance was wound around the upper right arm. With the lance in this position the lancer could fire a carbine or pistol. Presumably a similar arrangement would have enabled earlier cavalry to carry a lance and use a bow. In the absence of a stirrup the lance could have been attached to the footwear or spur of the rider, or to a strap depending from the saddle. The essence of any attachment system is that the lance be easily and quickly deployable. Also a single point of attachment at the centre of the lance shaft is not efficient due to excessive swinging of both ends, and for a double attachment system the upper point of attachment needs to be more flexible than the lower.