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Horses in the Middle Ages differed in size, build and breed from the modern horse, and were, on average, smaller. They were also more central to society than their modern counterparts, being essential for war, agriculture, and transport. Consequently, specific types of horse developed, many of which have no modern equivalent.
Pitched battles were avoided if possible, with most offensive warfare in the early Middle Ages taking the form of sieges, [138] and in the later Middle Ages as mounted raids called chevauchées, with lightly armed warriors on swift horses. [note 3] Jousting is a sport that evolved out of heavy cavalry practice.
The destrier is the best-known war horse of the Middle Ages. It carried knights in battles, tournaments, and jousts. It was described by contemporary sources as the Great Horse, due to its significance. While highly prized by knights and men-at-arms, the destrier was not very common. [1] Most knights and mounted men-at-arms rode other war ...
The Romans had developed efficient methods of sea transport for horses, which were improved by the Arabic nations in the Early Middle Ages; these transports became common in Europe from the tenth century. [1] Horse transports could be powered by oars, or sometimes by sail. The oared tarida was able to be loaded and unloaded directly on a beach ...
Ottoman Sipahi heavy cavalry, c. 1550. Early 16th-century French gendarmes, with complete plate armour and heavy lances. Spanish Heavy Cavalry – Royal Armoury of Madrid, Spain. Heavy cavalry was a class of cavalry intended to deliver a battlefield charge and also to act as a tactical reserve; they are also often termed shock cavalry. [1]
Horse cavalry developed tent pegging tactics to deal with elephant cavalry. If they maintained their nerve in the face of the larger mounts, horse cavalry could rout elephant cavalry, especially by moving into close quarters and attacking the elephants' vulnerable feet. [6] The Mongols would loose arrows at their enemy elephants' feet and legs ...
Hobelar. A Connemara pony, representative of the hobby. Hobelars were a type of light cavalry, or mounted infantry, used in Western Europe during the Middle Ages for skirmishing. They originated in 13th century Ireland, and generally rode hobbies, a type of light and agile horse.
An important element of medieval army equipment was the horse. Horses were bred in Poland from prehistoric times. Imported from abroad or taken during the war high blood stallions and mares were incorporated into szlachta's herds for the quality improvement of Polish horse breeds. The size of these herds is unknown, but likely large. [22]