Lambrequin. Leathern strap or flap hanging from a cuirass, often highly ornamented. Also ribbon of different colors for fastening a helmet, twisted round its crest, the knot forming an ornament.
Lamia (now Zeitun, or Zetuni). A town in Phthiotis, in Thessaly, situated on the small river Achelous. It has given its name to the war which was carried on by the confederate Greeks against Antipater, after the death of Alexander, 323 B.C. The confederates under the command of Leosthenes, the Athenian, defeated Antipater, who took refuge in Lamia, where he was besieged for some months. Leosthenes was killed during the siege; and the confederates were obliged to raise it in the following year (322), in consequence of the approach of Leomatus. The confederates under the command of Antiphilus defeated Leomatus, who was slain in the action. Soon afterwards Antipater was joined by Craterus; and thus strengthened, he gained a decisive victory over the confederates at the battle of Cranon (322), which put an end to the Lamian war.
Lamian War. See [Lamia].
Lampion de Parapet (Fr.). A lamp generally used on a parapet or elsewhere in a besieged place. It was a small iron vessel filled with pitch and tar, which was lighted by the troops as occasion required.
Lancaster. The chief town of Lancashire, England, situated on the river Lune. It is supposed to have been the Ad Alaunam of the Romans. It was granted by William I. or II. to Roger de Poitou, who erected a castle upon its hill. It was taken by the Jacobites, November, 1715, and November, 1745.
Lancaster Gun. See [Ordnance, Construction of].
Lancaster Herald. One of the six heralds of England, ranking second in seniority. His office is said to have been instituted by Edward III., when he created his son, John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster. Henry IV. raised Lancaster to the dignity of king-at-arms. Edward IV., after reducing him back to the status of a herald, abolished his office, which was revived by Henry VII.
Lancaster Rifle. See [Small-arms].
Lancastrians. See [Roses, Wars of the].
Lance. A weapon of war, consisting of a long shaft or handle, and metal point, now usually adorned with a small flag, and generally used by horsemen to transfix an enemy, but formerly used sometimes as a javelin. This offensive weapon was much used by the French in former times, particularly by that class of military gentlemen called chevaliers, and by the gendarmes. Before the reign of Philip de Valois, the chevaliers and gendarmes fought on foot, armed with lances only, both in battles and at sieges. On these occasions they shortened their lances, which were then said to be retaillees, or cut again.