How did the Genghis Kahn's light cavarly defeat West's heavy cavalry, if arrow can't penetrate plate armor?

Question

I still don't understand this. Even if Mongols were good at horse-riding, how could archer cavalry win the battle against the European heavy cavarly with lancer and sword?

Answer 1

Actually, at the time of Genghis Khan's campaigns, very few soldiers wore the heavy plate we think of (it wasn't until the late middle ages/renaissance that the "knight in shining armor" came into being). More common was chain mail, scale mail (metal place like the scales of a fish), or just small pieces of metal sown into the soldier's clothes. The common soldiers usually just wore thick leather outer garments. All of which arrows could penetrate.

Answer 2

As the above answer stated, their was indeed very little armor worn during that period of history, and that which was offered little protection to hardened lances, spears, and swords when hit point blank. The Mongols were incredible horsemen with a greater understanding of cavalry tactics, which was to utilize manuever and speed over all else. Cavalry was, and still is, greater used as a reconnaisance force, which Khan used to great advantage as well, however when used in the attack against foot infantry or other cavalry forces, he used their superior speed and knowledge of flanking and circling to good use as well.

Answer 3

kill the horses with arrows.
heavy armored calvary falls to ground.
ride up ,shoot at point blank or stab thru chinks in armor.