Quote Originally Posted by Monsieur Alphonse
Lusted does this mean that the extra charge bonus of 8 is checked by the extra anti cav bonus of 8 which most spears have? Does the anti cav bonus also work when the spears are attacked from the back?
The anti-cav bonus applies only to attack, not defense.

When spearmen are braced I believe their effective mass increases which means enemy cavalry charges are less devastating.

When pikemen are braced, their mass increases drastically and they are able to keep cavalry at a safe distance (unless the horse leaps over).

Again these are educated guesses so feel free to investigate things yourself.