[Brandon]

I'm on the second book so no spoilers please, but it speaks of lancers that have "long bladed lances", I'm just wonder if it's the same type of weapon you see here on the crossroads of twilight cover:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0312864590.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Caly]

I can't remember much WoT history, but I'm pretty sure the answer is "no". The weapon you see on the Crossroads cover is some kind of spear thing that Mat picks up along the way (ashandarei is what my SO is telling me it's called). I'm pretty sure the lancers are weapons that were used in a previous age before lots of technology was lost, throwing the inhabitants of Randland back into a pre-industrial age.

Since you are just on book 2 I can't say much more, but keep your eyes open for references about the way the Wheel turns.

I think the real question here is: When did Randland meet the Planet of the Apes?

Caleyna

[LePeze]

1)used by horsemen

The lance is another weapon difficult to define as a single design. Generally, the lance was a horseman’s spear which occasionally had a handguard built in. Some could be thrown as well as thrust (Indian, Asian, and American Indian lances were like this). A lance usually consisted of a wooden shaft with a socketed metal head attached. Broader, spear-like heads were used for war while narrower heads were used for tournaments and training.

The lance is most commonly thought of as a weapon used during jousting contests in medieval Europe. The jousting lance was used exclusively for thrusting rather than throwing. These lances were broader at the base than the tip in order to help the knight counter balance the long length of the lance as he held it with one hand. Jousting lances were constructed of wood with metal reinforcements at the breaking points; a metal jousting lance would be far too heavy for anyone to pick up, let alone manage while riding.

2) used by footman

The footman's lance was essentially a spear used solely for thrusting. Generally, lances were considered to be a cavalry weapon but foot soldiers used a smaller version of them during the iron age throughout the known world. The main difference between a spear-proper and a footman's lance is that spears were often designed such that the spear tip broke off upon impact with the target. Lances, conversely, were designed such that the tip would not break off in the hands of the wielder. Other than that, though, a footman's lance is a spear.

[ChrisW]

Short answer and spoiler free = no.

[Asraloth]

Mat's weapon is not a lance as such. i havent read much of wot so i dont know exactly what its called, but the weapon looks like it is based on the japanese "naginata," which was essentially a samurai weapon used in melee.
it was useful because it had a blade similar in design to the katana but had a longer staff handle, protecting the bearer with distance.

so i dont think it is a lance, but it could be considered a type of lance i suppose.

[Kingslayer]

I haven't read WoT, so I don't know what age it's set in, but isn't one of the horsemen on that cover wearing a top hat?

[ChrisW]

er no. I might add that all the covers of WoT are inaccurate and you should not pay any attention to them.

[Elan Morin Tedronai]

Ashandarei - in the old tongue - Sword-spear. Actuallly it is a sword-spear really!

[Jon Shannow]

Caly I which patricia Briggs books are you having trouble with I got them all at decent prices at Amazon Z shops exept Masques which as you say I have not found for under $80 .

[Kingslayer]

Well the guy on the horse, dressed in green is certainly wearing some sort of hat.But if they're inaccurate then it doesn't matter.