What is "lancieri"

The Lăncieri or 'Lance-bearers' were a Romanian fascist paramilitary movement whose members adopted a blue shirted uniform and contributed to the country's political street battles in the 1920s and 1930s.

The group was initially attached to the National-Christian Defense League and became noted in the 1920s for their attacks on that party's main target the Jews, as well as general disruption of university life. Following the emergence of the National Christian Party the Lăncieri became associated with that group and continued their wild ways, rivalling the Iron Guard (with whom they frequently clashed) in their violence and mayhem. The 1937 general election campaign in particular was marred by clashes between the two fascist groups and not even the intervention of Alfred Rosenberg could unite the warring factions. Clashes between the two groups would continue, although ironically the Lăncieri owed much of their organisation to the Iron Guard and indeed their continuing existence was as much an attempt to attract interest away from that group.