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							Medieval armor, feudal armies 
							in Europe from the 11th to the 14th century produced 
							a core group of premium fighting men � the mounted 
							knights. Over time, they became more heavily armored 
							and reliant upon the shattering force of horse, 
							lance and wide-bladed sword. In their wake, massed 
							ranks of foot-soldiers engaged the enemy with long polearms (essentially weapons mounted on the end of 
							a long pole), hoping to dismount and finish off any 
							enemy knight. The fighting was brutal and bloody, 
							conducted in a crush of jabbing, thrusting weapons. |