Knights & Mounted Warfare Flashcards
(16 cards)
1
Q
what did Roman cavalry look like?
A
- cavalry dominant in Byzantine army under Justinian
- Byzantine’s est. breeding programs & imports that led to better-bred horses (e.g. Arabian horses)
- late Roman (Byzantine) Empire required more cavalry forces due to frequent invasions
- cavalry units often non-Roman/barbarian
2
Q
what were Germans/Barbarians cavalry units like?
A
- Huns culture revolved around horses (nomadic group)
- Visigoths used heavy well-armoured cavalry (succeeded in crushing Roman army)
- Merovingians primarily used horse for transportation & infantry support → cavalry only used occasionally
3
Q
how did the Carolingian Franks make use of cavalry units?
A
- adopted more heavy cavalry
- infantry replaced by cavalry weapons (lance & long sword)
- adopted stirrups
- demanded stallions from visitors
- set up stunt farms for selective breeding (focus on strength & endurance)
4
Q
when was the age of cavalry?
A
900-1200
5
Q
what was mounted shock combat?
A
- heavy cavalry charge w/ couched lance
- required training against shock on impact
- not unique to Western Europe (adopted b/w 8th-12th c.)
6
Q
what techological advances were influenced by mounted shock combat?
A
stirrups (8th c.)
- gave the rider stability & control over the horse
horseshoes (adopted by 9th c.)
- helped protect hooves on European lands
high pommel saddle (adopted by 12th c.)
- wraps around rider’s body to keep them on the horse
7
Q
what were the conditions for getting a horse to fight?
A
- horses naturally hate loud noises, close formations, etc.
- required long training to tolerate conditions
- taught battle manoeuvres (feigned retreat)
- war horses could only be used for 10 years (5-15 years old)
- must be exercised for several hours daily to be able to carry a mounted soldier
- could sometimes be trained to fight as well (kicking)
- required horse armour to protect against arrows
(horses needed 5 years of training before they could be used in battle)
8
Q
how were packhorses used in warfare?
A
- packhorses used for transporation of grain & hay
- could carry enough food for itself & a warhorse for up to 2 days
- servents & retinue needed to care for & feed horses
- horses kept in reserve in case one injured in battle
9
Q
what were the advatages of cavalry?
A
- mobility of horsemen allowed for rapid attack, pursuit, & retreat
- flank attack suffocates army (unable to attack from the sides)
- serves as hidden reserve to attack from the back if unprotected
- could easily ride down infantry (goal is to scare but doesn’t usually work in well-trained)
10
Q
what were the disadvantages of cavalry?
A
- rough or wet terrian was slippery
- cavalry does best on flat open land
- e.g. Ireland, Wales, Prussia, etc.
- horses very expensive (required training, stables, equipment, etc.)
11
Q
how did the rise of knights correspond w/ feudalism?
A
- military aid & loyalty for the lord in return for economic support for the vassal
- decline of feudalism after 1100 led to scutage (knights could avoid active duty by paying a fee)
- many vassals would not show up for war unless profitable
- kings supplemented feudal force w/ paid armies hired by contracts
feudalism = 800-1200
12
Q
how did knights rise in status?
A
- horses were a sign of wealth (training & equipment)
- association w/ elites through feudalism
- knights were members of the aristocracy
- became more wealthy over 12th c.
- knighthood was a membership that could be declined
13
Q
what was chivalry?
A
- common culture emphasized from 12th c. onwards
- emphasized bravery, loyalty, strength, fearlessness, & generosity
- training began young (elite nobles often sent to noble households to be trained)
- ceremony of knighthood typically at age 21
- must est. a reputation for valour to be respected
14
Q
what were medieval (knightly) tournaments?
A
melée
- mock war b/w teams of knights
- swords, lances, & maces
joust
- replaced melée by 13th c.
- safer & easier to watch
- more protective armour & blunted jousts
single combat
- 1v1 on foot or horseback
- any weapon (swords, axes, maces, etc.)
- could also be used for trial by combat
15
Q
who was William Marshal?
A
- younger son of elite who trained at uncle’s house then joined the French
- gained the attention of Elenor of Aquitaine & trained her son (Henry the Young King) to be a good knight
- became one of the wealthiest & most powerful men in England
Elenor of Aquitaine = queen of France & England (c. 1122-1204)
16
Q
who was Charles the Bald?
A
- grandson of Charlemagne & king of West Francia
- emphasized protections for vulnerable & religious groups
- widows, orphans, nuns, clergy, & the poor
