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Details

In the Right Hand: Horses of Medieval Europe

Much of medieval European society was built upon the steady shoulders of a noble horse. This creature played an important part in many aspects of life for all classes of people, from farmers to soldiers to royalty, shouldering tasks as diverse as carrying ladies, pulling ploughs, and charging into battle.

Of course, the same type of horse could hardly be used for everything, so horses were bred - then as now - for specific purposes. In that time, horses were not yet classified as breeds, but referred to as types, and each type had different uses.

Many obscure terms were used for the types of horses, sometimes interchangeably and frequently in contradiction with one another, in medieval texts. However, historians have uncovered three basic types of horse; namely, chargers, palfreys, and sumpters.

Horses of War

Chargers were medieval warhorses, of which there were three subtypes; rounceys, coursers, and the most well known of all horses from the Middle Ages, the destrier. The height and weight of medieval warhorses is a much-disputed topic. However, it appears that the common perception of real warhorses as being massively powerful beasts closely resembling the modern Shire is incorrect. They are far more likely to have been compact, powerful, but agile horses, ranging from about 14-15.2hh and built more like warmbloods, thoroughbreds or baroque horses than draft horses.Knights would seldom ride their warhorses except in battle; squires would usually lead them from the back of a more common mount. This was to spare the charger's strength for fighting.

The rouncey was the cheapest and usually the animal of choice for a poorer knight, man-at-arms, or squire. Rounceys were rather plain, general-purpose horses who were also used for riding and as packhorses (but never for pulling carts), but they could also be trained for war. Rich knights supplied their retinues with rounceys. They varied greatly in characteristics; virtually any sound and reasonably fast horse seemed to fall under the label of "rouncey".

Coursers were light, fast horses. They were the most common medieval warhorses, being slightly more expensive - and better quality - than rounceys, but not as expensive as destriers. Occasionally, coursers were preferred over destriers because of their speed. Also used for hunting, the courser was better for hard battle and fast pursuit than destriers.

Destriers were the royalty of medieval horses. Beautiful and well-bred, they resembled the modern baroque horse breeds such as the Friesian and Pure Spanish Horse. They were extremely strong, but agile. Popular for jousts, destriers were very expensive. In the 13 th century, destriers were valued at 20 to 300 parisian pounds at a time when coursers cost about 5 to 12 pounds. Their peculiar name comes from the Latin dextarius, or "on the right side", because of the way squires would lead the destriers from horseback in their right hands, controlling their own mounts with the left.

The real Shire-like Great Horses were never used for actual war. These enormously ponderous creatures were massive, clumsy draft horses who would be no use in a real battle. They were only bred and used for tournaments in the late Middle Ages, when jousting armour became so heavy that warhorses could not carry it. Even these Great Horses could barely do the job, and jousting was done at a slow canter or even a trot.

Beasts of Burden

Horses were also the main choice of beast of burden. While donkeys and oxen were still evident in the Middle Ages, oxen being the historical choice, horses almost completely replaced them. They were used for agricultural work (pulling implements such as ploughs) and transport (as both riding- and carthorses).

The lowliest type of horse was the humble sumpter.These were powerful draft horses, but much smaller than the modern draft, averaging 13-14hh. Doubtlessly not very well-bred, fiery, or good-looking, the sumpter did much of the work essential for society, such as pulling ploughs and wagons. They were used by peasants in agricultural work and not very valuable.

While rounceys were frequently used for everyday riding from place to place, and rounceys and coursers were used for hunting, the most valuable and ideal riding horse was the "palfrey".Palfreys could equal a destrier in price, and for good reason; they had an extra gait known as the amble, which was fast, comfortable, and could be maintained by both rider and horse over long distances. This made travelling much easier and more pleasant. The amble resembled the single-foot, tölt, and rack of modern gaited breeds such as the Icelandic horse. They were small horses, probably no taller than 15 hands. Their closest descendants are thought to be the modern Peruvian Paso and Paso Fino, which breeds most closely resemble the medieval palfrey. The horse of choice for noble ladies, the palfrey was probably quite pretty. It was used almost exclusively by nobility because of its high price tag.

Medieval Horsemanship

Little is known about horse care during the Middle Ages, but with the aid of documents and depictions such as the Bayoux Tapestry, medieval riding is relatively well-known. Ironically, the modern English rider would find the medieval knight's seat absolutely baffling. Knights rode with their legs straight and pushed well forward; their weight was held well back. Because of the high pommel of the medieval war saddle, and the necessity of holding shield and reins in the same hand, their rein hand was held up high. This meant that they had to make use of powerful curb bits and neck-reining to control their horses. Modern Western riding closely resembles this riding style. In fact, Western riding has its roots in the way medieval knights rode, and while the type of horse and the purpose has changed, the tack and riding style remains very much the same. Western riders have their stirrups a little shorter than knights, but otherwise little has changed.

The reason for this seat was simple; it could withstand the impact from a cavalry charge. One good charge of knights could virtually obliterate an enemy regiment. With their sharp lances couched under their arms, knights would advance first at a trot, then a canter and eventually slow gallop, striking their enemies with tremendous force. This force, of course, would bowl the rider clean out of the saddle unless he rode in this manner with the legs thrust forward. This meant that when the lance met its target and kicked back under the knight's arm, he would be pushed back against the high cantle, and remain securely in his seat.

An Unsung Hero

Were it not for the horse, medieval life would have been very different. Wars would have been fought afoot; travelling would be painfully slow to the point of being almost impossible; and agriculture would be limited to the capacity of the powerful but ponderous ox. More at this time than ever before, or ever after, the horse played a vital role in society. Though many call this time the Dark Ages, it was the heyday of the horse - if not in the way it was treated, then certainly in its value to society. Mankind needed the horse, and it is yet another example of God's graciousness that this animal was even created. He is the horse's perfect Designer, and made it in such a way that it would become invaluable to mankind. How could a creature so well suited to serving humans have happened by accident?

Horses did not evolve. They were made, and they served a vital part in the history of civilisation. Our past is borne on a horse's back; today he is mostly used for recreation alone, and has faded out of his place at the centre of a working society. His Creator, however, remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

References:

9. A History of Horsemanship, Charles Chenevix Trench, p. 76 - Back

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Details Much of medieval European society was built upon the steady shoulders of a noble horse. This creature played an important part in many aspects of life for all classes of people, from farmers to soldiers to royalty, shouldering tasks as diverse as carrying ladies, pulling ploughs, and charging into battle.

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Learn about the horses and the jobs needed to maintain them.

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As much as cars and the internal combustion engine defines our age, the horse defined the middle ages in Europe. Horses, along with mules and donkeys were relied on for transportation, agriculture, war, and recreation. A large segment of the population was dedicated to occupations that used or cared for horses. The language used to describe the animals and their handlers can be confusing to the modern reader. Many of the terms are used differently now, so if you want to read historical fiction or do research on the middle ages it is important to understand what they were talking about.

Horses were not referred to by their breed but by their purpose. Therefore, many of the modern breed names had broader, less specific meanings in the middle ages. Horses were measured in hands, not in inches--with each hand being 4 inches high (three hands to the foot). The average horse in the middle ages was 13 to 14 hands high at the withers (shoulders) and would look like a pony or small horse to us today. But then, the men and women of the middle ages would look small to us as well.
Types of Horses
Elegant-looking, warm-blooded, (mild-mannered) horses with a smooth gait were bred with other similarly tempered horses to create "amblers" also known as "Palfrey horses." These were highly prized by the upper classes because they were very comfortable to ride on long journeys. These light-weight, riding horses were also used in battle because they could move quickly and were sure-footed on uneven ground. The prettiest palfreys were reserved for parades and special care was given to their grooming.

Destriers or great horses were larger, hot-blooded horses bred to be fearless in warfare. Though they were larger than Palfreys, contrary to some common belief, they were not as large as modern Clydesdales. Based on existing horse armor, the size of destriers is estimated at no more than 15.2 hands high with a weight of 1200 to 1300 pounds, about the size of a modern show horse. A horse this size could easily carry the weight of a knight in full armor including saddle, barding, tack, and weapons. Larger horses were used to pull cannons and wagons and rarely saw combat. Destriers were also used in tournaments where speed and agility were important. Destriers were hot-blooded, meaning they were spirited, fearless in battle, and would even attack other horses by biting and kicking.

Another type of hot-blooded horse was called the Charger or Courser. These terms were used interchangeably for fast runners. They were used as messenger horses and racers. The wealthy brought an average of five horses with them to war, a couple palfreys for travel and parades, a Destrier for battle, and a pair of swift chargers for escape.

Dray or Draft horses, on the other hand, were cold-blooded and docile. They were bred for commercial uses like hauling, plowing, and turning mills. These big horses came from Northern England (Shire horses, Fell 'ponies'), Scandanavia, and the Netherlands (Fresians) and were known for plodding gaits and massive strength. Some were 18 hands high and weighed as much as 2000 lbs.

A Jennet was a small horse or pony, bred for walking, and the favorite of ladies. Jennets were good for pilgrims since a small horse ate less and was easier to care for than the larger Palfrey. They were also used as light cavalry horses.

The Rouncey was an all-around good service horse. This is the kind of horse the squires and other travelers rode. A hackney was a rouncey for hire. Not everyone owned a horse. Some people rented them when they traveled. Rounceys and hackneys were valued at no more than 20 marks in France in 1265 AD, where the finest destriers might fetch more than 500 times that price!

Pack and cart horses along with mules and donkeys, had to be docile and easy to handle. Older rounceys or nags had the right temperament making them good for commercial use in hauling goods. They were the proverbial workhorses.

Ponies were horses that were bred to be small, strong and hardy to pack coal and ore out of mines. They were also ridden and used with wagons or carts. When looking at paintings, you can tell it's a pony if a rider's feet hang noticeably below the mount's belly. However, the terms horse and pony were used interchangeably in the middle ages and not in the way they are defined by horse breeders today.
Equine technology
The Roman horses didn't wear horseshoes as we know them, they wore a hipposandal that looked like a metal boot for the horse hoof. For the most part, nailed horse shoes were unknown prior to the tenth century. The earliest evidence comes from a written record of "crescent figured iron with nails" as part of the a list of cavalry equipment in 910 AD. By the 11th century horseshoes were commonly used in Europe to protect the horses feet.

Stirrups were developed in China in the 5th century and were widely adopted in Europe by the 8th century. Stirrups gave riders a more secure perch on the horses back. Riders could shoot arrow, javelins, and swing swords with more accuracy and power when standing in the stirrups. This was a huge advantage that turned the tide in many battles and gave rise to feudalism.

At first saddles were just leather pillows belted onto the horse. Solid-treed saddles were first used in Roman times as a means of spreading the weight of the rider over a wider area of the horses back and away from its spine, thus making riding safer and more comfortable for both the rider and horse. Due to the heavier weight of armored knights, the medieval saddle had to be bigger with a higher front and back than earlier saddles to keep the knight from being unhorsed. The use of the solid-treed saddle also made stirrups more effective.

Since a knight's hands were often occupied with weapons, he had to control his mount with his legs and feet. Spurs were used to communicate the rider's commands by kicking or nudging the horse's sides. Wearing spurs was a privilege reserved for knights and a symbol of rank.

The armor for a horse was called barding. The horse helmet was called a chamfron and was designed to protect the face. The segmented plates covering the neck were called the criniere. The breastplate or peytal covered the shoulders and chest and the croupiere covered the hindquarters. For tournaments, the armor was covered with colorful embroidered cloths that identified the knight by his heraldic emblems. These coverings were known as caparisons.

The padded horse collar created a revolution in agriculture. This made it possible for one horse pulling a wheeled turn-plow to work as much land in a day as a pair of oxen. Two horses could finish the work in half the time. This lead to higher yields per acre and greater prosperity in Europe during the 12th century. At this time European farmers adopted three-field crop rotation to increase the fertility of their land. Horses made it possible to plant and harvest two crops a year and still have time to let the soil rest for one season.
Horse professions
The most elite job, of course, was knight, a position for the upper classes that required training from childhood in all matters of horse management and the arts of war. The word for knight in most European languages means "horseman." A squire was a young man in training to become a knight. Squires were not allowed to buy or ride horses that were expensive, even if they could afford it, lest they looked better than their knights.

In most great houses, the marshal was the person in charge of all matters relating to horses. He managed the stables, hired all the grooms, trainers, stable boys and stall muckers, arranged for the fodder, assisted in buying and breeding horses, and oversaw the hunt and travel. In most cases the marshal also provided basic general veterinary care to the animals.

The constable (count of the stable) was the lieutenant to the marshal and kept order in the stables and yard. The marshal and the constable arranged all the tournaments and parades and were also responsible for all military preparation of the horses and their equipment.

The farrier was a specialist in animal hoof care. Sometimes they made horseshoes but more often they left that to the blacksmith who owned a forge. The farrier traveled to the stables and shooed the horses, cleaned the hooves and treated injuries.

Horse coursers, dealers, and traders sold and traded animals. Some captured wild horses and trained them.

Hackneymen rented horses, wagons and carriages. They also provided carriage service for hire in cities.

Grooms exercised the horses and keep them clean. Stable boys didn't work with the horses until they were grooms. They cleaned the stalls, fed the animals, and hauled water and fodder.

Tinkers, were a nomadic people in the British Isles, also called travellers and gypsies. They spoke dialects that were strange to the settled people and they observed many old superstitions, but they were best known for trading ponies. They still hold annual horse fairs around England as they have for many centuries. Because of their strange and secretive ways, they were often accused of using witchcraft to enchant horses and to heal them. Only in the 20th century was it obvious that the gypsies had been using techniques we now call horse whispering and a primitive form of penicillin to cure horses by binding moldy bread and leather straps to their wounds.

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As much as cars and the internal combustion engine defines our age, the horse defined the middle ages in Europe. Horses, along with mules and donkeys were relied on for transportation, agriculture, war, and recreation. A large segment of the population was dedicated to occupations that used or cared for horses.

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Read about the different types of knights during Medieval times

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Middle Ages for Kids: History of the Medieval Knight

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Kids learn about the history of knights from the Middle Ages and Medieval times including military orders, the first knights, and the end of the fighting knight.

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Kids learn about A knight's armor and weapons from the Middle Ages and Medieval times including chain mail, metal plate armor, lances, and siege weapons.

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The Crusades - Pilgrimage or Holy War?: Crash Course World History #15

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Facts about Destriers

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Medieval War Horses - The Middle Ages - Facts for Kids

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Horses in the Middle Ages were not grouped by breed. Instead they were grouped according to what the horse was used for. There were horses for battle, for travel, for speed and for working on the farm. Medieval war horses have become extinct although there have been efforts to breed horses of a similar size as medieval horses.

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Explanation

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Driven by honor, obsessed with fame and power, Richard and Saladin would ascend into legend fighting for the sacred city of Jerusalem.

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Holy Warriors Clip: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin

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Video clip that shows the important relationship between a Knight and his horse

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Bucephalus - History's Greatest Horse (Alexander)

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The War of Jaffa

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Kids learn about the Crusades during the Middle Ages and Medieval times. Holy wars between the Christians and the Muslims over Jerusalem.

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Totally Timelines, Timelines of Eras, Events and People

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Born the third son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The couple's second son, William had died in 1156 but their first son, Henry, born in 1155 survived.

Richard was taken on a visit to Normandy.

Richard was betrothed to Alys, daughter of Louis VII of France.

Richard was given control of Aquitaine. His father, Henry II had become ill and had decided to give his sons their inheritance so that they would be established in their lands before he died. Richard's three brothers were also given land - Henry gained England and Normandy and Geoffrey gained Brittany. John who was four years old was not given any land.

Richard was formally given the title Duke of Aquitaine

Richard had become a great military tactician and had control of his own army which he used to put down rebellions in the French provinces granted to him by his father.

In the Summer of 1173 Richard joined forces with his brothers and King Louis VII of France in rebellion against his father.

Louis VII made peace with Henry II. Richard was excluded from the terms of the treaty which left him in a position of isolation.

Richard and his brothers made peace with their father Henry II.

Richard's father, Henry II of England, had an affair with Richard's betrothed, Alys of France.

Richard and his brothers rebelled against their father because they did not agree with his plans for their inheritance.

Richard's elder brother, Henry was killed in the fighting against their father. Richard was now heir to the English throne.

Richard broke his betrothal to Alys of France on the grounds that she had become his father's mistress. He then became betrothed to Berengaria of Navarre.

Richard allied himself with King Philip II of France against his father.

Richard became King Richard I of England after his father died.

Richard became Duke of Normandy.

Richard was determined to go on crusade to Jerusalem and began using treasury money to finance this venture.

Richard was crowned King of England.

Richard sent his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, to escort Berengaria to Messina, Sicily where they would be married.

Richard and Phillip II of France embarked on a Third Crusade to the Holy land.

Richard and Phillip II reached Sicily.

Berengaria and Eleanor of Aquitaine joined Richard in Messina, Sicily. However, when they arrived it was Lent and the marriage could not be celebrated.

Richard sent Berengaria, accompanied by his sister Joan, on a ship to the Holy Land. However, the ship was caught in a storm and landed in Cyprus.

Richard and Phillip II conquered Cyprus and rescued Berengaria and Joan.

Richard married Berengaria of Navarre in St George's chapel, Limassol, Cyprus.

Richard and the Third Crusade reached Acre

Acre fell to Richard.

Phillip had disagreed with Richard over spoils of war and abandoned the Crusade and returned to France.

Richard agreed terms with Saladin. The deal included an exchange of prisoners but Richard mistrusted Saladin and ordered the massacre of all Moslem prisoners.

Battle of Arsuf
Richard defeated Saladin at this battle.

Richard took control of Jaffa.

Richard reached the outskirts of Jerusalem but by this point his army was depleted and in need of reinforcements and supplies.

Richard was unable to take Jerusalem and so he negotiated a three-year truce with Saladin that stipulated that Christians should be granted access to the holy city at all times.

Having heard the news that his brother John, who had been left in control of England, was plotting to take the throne from him Richard decided to return home.

Richard was captured by Duke Leopold V of Austria and held to ransom.

The ransom of 150,000 marks was paid and Richard returned home to England. 1194 (March) Richard left England for Normandy to defend it from attacks by Phillip II

Richard finally defeated Phillip II

Richard went to Limoges to supress a riot

While walking round the castle of Chalus when he was shot by a crossbowman. Although the bolt was removed it was not cleanly done and the wound quickly festered.

Richard died. He was succeeded by his younger brother, John.

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A Timeline of the Life of Richard I Known as The Lionheart 1157 - 1199

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Born the third son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The couple's second son, William had died in 1156 but their first son, Henry, born in 1155 survived. Richard was taken on a visit to Normandy. Richard was betrothed to Alys, daughter of Louis VII of France.

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Here are some facts about Richard the Lionheart.

King Richard I, better known as Richard the Lionheart, was born in 1157 in Oxford, England. He was King of England from 1189 until his death in 1199.

His father was King Henry II and his mother was Eleanor of Aquitaine.

He was known as the Lionheart because he was generally considered to be a great soldier and a brave crusader. He won several battles against the Saracens.

After becoming king, Richard joined the Third Crusade to the Holy Land to fight the Saracens. He conquered the island of Cyprus quickly and then sold it to the Knights Templar.

Richard the Lionheart was so anxious to fight in the Crusades and in France that he used most of the Treasury money to fund his trip. Despite that, he failed to win Jerusalem from the Saracens.

The Saracen leader respected Richard and regarded him as a great warrior. Even though the two men were enemies, he sent Richard grapes and a fast horse as gifts.

Richard was King of England for 10 years, yet he spent almost all of that time outside the country and may not have been able to speak English. He often complained about the English weather.

During the Third Crusade, Richard was captured by the Duke of Austria. The ransom asked was about 2 billion pounds in today's money and its payment required about 25 percent of each Englishman's income for a year.

After returning from the Crusades, Richard spent much of his time fighting the French. He reportedly spent twice as much on building a castle (Chateau Gaillard) there, than he had spent on castle building in England.

Richard the Lionheart was shot by a crossbowman from the walls of Chalus-Chabrol castle in France. The shooter turned out to be a boy. King Richard I ordered that the boy be brought before him. Apparently, rather than having the boy executed, Richard gave him 100 shillings and let him go free in an act of forgiveness.

The crossbow bolt was removed from Richard I's arm, but the wound became infected. Richard died on 6th April 1199. He was 41 years old.

His heart, entrails and the rest of his body were buried in different places in France.

Richard the Lionheart has been portrayed in many films, by actors including Richard Harris and Sean Connery. He has also appeared in operas and video games.

During the 1500s, Richard I was linked to the legend of Robin Hood. The outlaws of Sherwood Forest are often seen to be supporters of Richard I and become outlaws during the years in which Richard's brother, King John I, ruled England.

A statue of Richard I stands outside the Palace of Westminster in London.

Filed Under: Famous People

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King Richard the Lionheart: Facts and Information - Primary Facts

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Here are some facts about Richard the Lionheart. King Richard I, better known as Richard the Lionheart, was born in 1157 in Oxford, England. He was King of England from 1189 until his death in 1199. His father was King Henry II and his mother was Eleanor of Aquitaine.