07-21-2009, 03:48 AM
When I made the statement on the previous page of this thread, I said that I doubted there was a heavy cavalry in post-Roman Britain. This was based on the triads and the St. Cadoc records which describe "sword, spear (lancea), and shield"-- no contus. Medicus Matt had referred to "heavy cavalry;" and to me, "heavy cavalry" means a cataphract armored not only with chainmail or scale, but also total limb protection... and often with a drapus and caprison covering his horse to the knees.
Certainly chainmail was prevelent, as were helmets. And I think there may have been a substantial "Arthurian" cavalry, even assigned to commanders who had replaced the original Roman positions of Count of Britain, dux at the Wall, and Count of the Saxon Shore. The bardic songs (particularly Chair of the Sovereign) mention "steel alas" and may record a total of three, each with 300 horsemen. "Nine hundred would listen to him."
The song was recorded in the medieval period, so it may contain scribal pollution; but it implies that a standing British army may have existed in the form of three "gosgords" (legions), each with a 300-man "ala." Is there any historical foundation to the song? That's anyone's guess, but I think the possibility is worth investigating. For the romantics, such as myself, it explains the only accurate section about "Arthur" in Nennis (or Mark). He was a "dux bellorum," a continuation of the Count of Britain and leading a light cavalry of 300.
But the probability that heavily armored cataphracts-- heavy horse, heavy cavalry-- were riding around in Britain is best left the assertions of David Day and Littleton & Malcor... unless someone can present a decent case for Skene's assertion that the Equite Catafractarii were stationed at "Morbium." :roll:
Certainly chainmail was prevelent, as were helmets. And I think there may have been a substantial "Arthurian" cavalry, even assigned to commanders who had replaced the original Roman positions of Count of Britain, dux at the Wall, and Count of the Saxon Shore. The bardic songs (particularly Chair of the Sovereign) mention "steel alas" and may record a total of three, each with 300 horsemen. "Nine hundred would listen to him."
The song was recorded in the medieval period, so it may contain scribal pollution; but it implies that a standing British army may have existed in the form of three "gosgords" (legions), each with a 300-man "ala." Is there any historical foundation to the song? That's anyone's guess, but I think the possibility is worth investigating. For the romantics, such as myself, it explains the only accurate section about "Arthur" in Nennis (or Mark). He was a "dux bellorum," a continuation of the Count of Britain and leading a light cavalry of 300.
But the probability that heavily armored cataphracts-- heavy horse, heavy cavalry-- were riding around in Britain is best left the assertions of David Day and Littleton & Malcor... unless someone can present a decent case for Skene's assertion that the Equite Catafractarii were stationed at "Morbium." :roll:
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
