The demi-lancer was replaced by similarly armoured cavalry whose primary armament was pistols, variously termed pistoleers, cuirassiers, or "Reiters", or replaced by harquebusiers – cavalry with less armour using longer firearms (doglock carbines). The trend towards the loss of the lance began in Germany in the mid 16th century, France had largely abandoned the lance by 1580, and England by 1600. The use of the heavy lance was found in military treatises up to the mid 17th century but its practical use had died out well before this date. The Battle of Coutras (October 20, 1587), between Henry of Navarre, and the Duc de Joyeuse, during the French Wars of Religion, illustrated the demise of the heavy lancer. Navarre's cavalry were 1,300 armoured pistoleers whilst the Royalists under Joyeuse were 2,000 heavy lancers (gendarmes). Within a few minutes of combat the lancers had been routed, many being captured and held for ransom. Only the hussars of Poland retained a form of heavy lance into the late 17th century. The use of the heavy lance required great skill and constant practice, whereas the use of pistols in battle was far less demanding. This is probably one factor behind the disappearance of the heavy lancer in Western Europe, another being the widespread adoption of the infantry pike.