The English Cavalry 1513

 

Let us begin with the King’s Spears. I have two versions of these. First, from Essex Miniatures Henry and his senior nobles. Two bases only. 

Very few of the English nobility thought it worth their while to maintain the large horses fit to carry barding and a heavily armoured man. Only the wealthiest did so and that because of their intimacy with the King.

Next, Roundway Miniatures  version. Seemingly we will not see their likes again. A shame.

 

The English made up their deficiency in “Gendarmes” by hiring Burgundians.  We have seen them before but can have another quick look.

Demi Lancers were an English speciality. 

Men in ¾ or less armour on smaller horses. Tactically these were charging cavalry. 

They liked to fight close to. The English had lots of them. Above, Minifigs, Essex and Alternative Armies.  Below, Minifigs and QRF.

Light Horse, again these were semi armoured men on smaller horses. Often Bishops were expected to raise a squadron and maintain it. I don’t have any. Khurasan make them and one day I might buy some. I envisage them as more disciplined than the Border Reivers but less formidable.

Border Horse. English King’s like to use Border Horse when they could. They also didn’t mind them taking casualties. Border Clans only notionally accepted external authority.  Go back far enough and there stands Bryneich and Rheged.

You might be interested to know that the southern boundary of the Reiver raiding range was the city of York. Beyond York you were safe from Blood Feud or random robbery with violence. From the Border Clans at any rate.

Next time for 1513 we will have a look at the English infantry.