Emperor Maximilian I was a major knight and emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. He was born in 1459 and reigned from 1493 until his death in 1519. As a young man, Maximilian I was knighted and took part in numerous tournaments and wars. Regarded as a courageous fighter, he was valued for his bravery and leadership qualities. In 1486, Maximilian I married the daughter of the Duke of Burgundy, giving him political influence in Europe. After his father's death in 1493, Maximilian I was elected Holy Roman Emperor. As emperor, Maximilian I worked to strengthen central authority and promoted the cultural development of the empire. He was a great patron of the arts and sciences and founded one of the first universities in Central Europe. Maximilian I was also an important promoter of the Reformation and championed religious tolerance. Under his rule, the empire experienced a period of peace and economic prosperity. Overall, Emperor Maximilian I was a major knight and ruler who ushered the Holy Roman Empire into a new era and made it one of the leading states in Europe. His Tonier lance had a handle diameter of about 7 cm and a length of about 5.5 meters. The lance was made by the armourer Lorenz Helmschmied from Nuremberg.