Cavalry

Cavalry refers to units of mounted warriors who fight from horseback. This allows them to use the speed and strength of the horse to greatly enhance their fighting capabilities.

Cavalry in Period

Before the 10th century, mounted cavalry were unusual on the battlefield, as the stirrup had not been invented, and mounted combat less effective. Pitched battles would largely have been fought by infantry who may have ridden to the field, then dismounted on fought on foot. After the stirrup gained widespread use, however, cavalry became dominant on the battlefield.

In the latter part of the medieval period, most noble warriors would have fought as cavalry whenever possible. The word cavalry shares the same root as chivalry, and implies a better social standing than a common foot soldier.

Cavalrymen were expensive, difficult to train, and hard to supply. They were also the primary form of full-time medieval soldier, as anyone who could afford a the accoutrements of the cavalry also had the time and income to train in their use.

A warrior who owned his own horse, armour and weapons and possessed the skill to use them was a very rich man, and could support himself for life. Knighthood in period was less about nobility and chivalry than about possessing the skills to fight from horseback.

Jousting and tourneys developed largely as a way for young knights to practice the difficult skills of fighting from horseback during times of peace.

Cavalry in the SCA

The serious risk to life and limb involved in learning medieval mounted combat means that mounted combat in the SCA is rare. While some SCA events do have horses present, only a few trained individuals particpate in even the least dangerous skills involved in being a cavalryman (such as tilting for rings).

Nonetheless, devoted equestrians have continued to lobby for some semblance of mounted combat, and experiments are in progress in some kingdoms, including Meridies. In these experiments, foam-padded weapons of the type used for youth combat are generally employed, and the object is to knock a loosely attached crest from the top of your opponent's helmet.

Similarly, experiments in jousting are underway, with the lance being a fragile construct of cardboard and styrofoam to prevent injuries.

External links

• Conroi Rae Fen: Meridian group dedicated to martial activies on horseback.