Medieval armed horseman with fire lance. Incendiary weapons in many forms had existed since antiquity, especially in China. In Europe the legendary ?淕reek Fire??was used with devastating effect, though the original recipe has never been discovered. During the crusades weapons involving fire were extensively used by muslims against the forces of Christendom. There were several versions of fire lances, involving gunpowder, or projectiles, and various incendiary materials. The fire lance was the precursor of all gun barrels and led to the development of firearms and the cannon which was first developed in China.The horseman's armour, and that of the horse, was adapted to protect from sparks etc.