IIRC lance armed cavalry had a few successes against infantry but I don't really think it had an huge advantage as such. A lot of cavalry charges were repulsed by musket fire alone. It did not take many losses to cause a lot of disruption in the cavalry formation with loss of morale and will to keep going forward as a result.

I'd say there was difference in the capabilities of cavalry though as heavy cavalry of Medieval/Renaissance era seems to have been more willing to go in to fight it out with the infantry, but it might also have had something to do with less disruption from missile weapons.

For every pikemen there would be one less musket and since the musket+bayonet combo did an ok job at keeping cavalry away there was little point in using pikes. Especially as muskets were the primary weapon for infantry v infantry combat.

The square lost most of its importance with breechloading/magazine rifles as that gave the infantry a lot more firepower. But artillery also played a role in limiting the role of cavalry on the battlefield.


CBR