European Heavy Cavalry System

Timeline

1. c. 1400–1490Burgundy and France · FranceIn the 15th century, full plate and improved lances brought heavy cavalry shock to its peak; the Duchy of Burgundy and others mixed knights, dismounted men-at-arms, and artillery, forming the typical late-medieval noble army structure.
2. 1491–1500Lombardy · ItalyIn the Italian Wars, French gendarmes and Spanish cavalry still carried out decisive shock tasks at battles such as Fornovo, but Swiss pike formations and matchlock fire increased their casualties, prompting cavalry to adjust toward more flexible tactics.
3. 1492–1550Granada and the Caribbean · SpainAfter the fall of Granada and in subsequent overseas conquests, the Iberian knightly tradition continued in the form of armored cavalry; on American battlefields, mounted shock gave the conquistadors overwhelming advantage over indigenous armies and became a core element of their armed system.