Warrior Ancient and Medieval Rules

[Tom McMillan]

In a message dated 5/13/02 5:11:11 PM, WarriorRules@yahoogroups.com writes:

<< Remember that most of the ancient armies are not using stirrups, and
this does make a difference in combat. >>

Which, of course, brings back the old debate about when stirrups came into
play. As i was preparing to challenge the L,JLS Goths of the FW List, the
first book i grabbed for backup was the Osprey Barbarians Against Rome. As
far as I know, Osprey has a pretty good reputation for accuracy. All the
'4th C Goths' have stirrups, and they all carry a heavy spear for charging,
as well as several light ones for throwing!
This seems to go against the standard dogma.

Perhaps I can help slightly. The stirup was
introduced by the Avars to the Byzantines. Where they
got it remains unknown, but the use of a lance 2
handed fashion goes back to Alexander. Prior to the
stirup the lance was used in a trot and poke fashion
where the feircness of the charge broke the enemy
cohesion, then the lancers rode up and jabbed; similar
to Napoleonic lancers one would think. Afterwards it
was used more as a gallup and thrust, but still 2
handed jabbing (overhand and underhand). The couched
lance didn't come into use for another 200 years and
is credited by both the Norman and Carolingian Franks.
It is often associated not with the stirup but with
the high pommeled saddle.
boyd


--- Quahog25@... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 5/13/02 5:11:11 PM,
> WarriorRules@yahoogroups.com writes:
>
> << Remember that most of the ancient armies are not
> using stirrups, and
> this does make a difference in combat. >>
>
> Which, of course, brings back the old debate
> about when stirrups came into
> play. As i was preparing to challenge the L,JLS
> Goths of the FW List, the
> first book i grabbed for backup was the Osprey
> Barbarians Against Rome. As
> far as I know, Osprey has a pretty good reputation
> for accuracy. All the
> '4th C Goths' have stirrups, and they all carry a
> heavy spear for charging,
> as well as several light ones for throwing!
> This seems to go against the standard dogma.
>
>


=====
Wake up and smell the Assyrians

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