What breeds were commonly used as mounts? What it a regional thing, or did it develop into centers like armor manufacture?
Thanks for the input.
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"It is not the oath that gives me faith in the man, but the man that gives me faith in the oath."
With Honor,
Kenwrec Wulfe
"Crouching Squire, Hidden Flagon....of Mead!"
Squire to Sir Galen of Bristol
The Shire of Ravenslake, Middle Kingdom
Equines in history
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Kenwrec Wulfe
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The problem is that, except for the Iceland Pony who has had no change since being introduced to Iceland by Vikings, that no western european breed has been intact / original when compared to it's medieval form. Even the Frisian has seen changes as it went from mixed riding horse, to carriage horse of the 17th and 18th centuries, and back to mixed useage today.
Were there regional horses? Sure! An easy example is the shorter moor horses (and ponies) of England vs the tall/large horses ridden by the Burgundians in the 15th century. But what does that tell you about breed? Zip.
The best way to describe a medieval horse is by use and by type. Andrew from Medieval Horse Guild wrote a short article on descriptions that I think is still pretty sound. http://www.horseguild.com/Medieval_Horse_Breeds.htm
With the concern to breeds, there have been recent attempts to reintroduce certain combinations to get a horse with certain characteristics of previous breeds. Such as the Anglo-Norman.
When I think breeds, I think type. And, pending what region you are interested in, there are some interesting choices. Some not available in this country.
Also, big horses / height has been very misrepresented by the movie industry and tales of gallent jousting and battlefield charges. Most horses were under 15.2 hands in height (62in/157.5cm at the withers). Which I readily feel are too short for me having evented horses 16.2 to 17.0 hands.
FvH
WolfeArgent
Were there regional horses? Sure! An easy example is the shorter moor horses (and ponies) of England vs the tall/large horses ridden by the Burgundians in the 15th century. But what does that tell you about breed? Zip.
The best way to describe a medieval horse is by use and by type. Andrew from Medieval Horse Guild wrote a short article on descriptions that I think is still pretty sound. http://www.horseguild.com/Medieval_Horse_Breeds.htm
With the concern to breeds, there have been recent attempts to reintroduce certain combinations to get a horse with certain characteristics of previous breeds. Such as the Anglo-Norman.
When I think breeds, I think type. And, pending what region you are interested in, there are some interesting choices. Some not available in this country.
Also, big horses / height has been very misrepresented by the movie industry and tales of gallent jousting and battlefield charges. Most horses were under 15.2 hands in height (62in/157.5cm at the withers). Which I readily feel are too short for me having evented horses 16.2 to 17.0 hands.
FvH
WolfeArgent
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Kenwrec Wulfe
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Thanks for the response.
I was aware of the size misrepresentation in movies....they usually dont get anything right anyway, hehe.
Personal areas of interest for me would have been Brittany, Burgundy and North-western France. Late 14th century...
------------------
"It is not the oath that gives me faith in the man, but the man that gives me faith in the oath."
With Honor,
Kenwrec Wulfe
"Crouching Squire, Hidden Flagon....of Mead!"
Squire to Sir Galen of Bristol
The Shire of Ravenslake, Middle Kingdom
I was aware of the size misrepresentation in movies....they usually dont get anything right anyway, hehe.
Personal areas of interest for me would have been Brittany, Burgundy and North-western France. Late 14th century...
------------------
"It is not the oath that gives me faith in the man, but the man that gives me faith in the oath."
With Honor,
Kenwrec Wulfe
"Crouching Squire, Hidden Flagon....of Mead!"
Squire to Sir Galen of Bristol
The Shire of Ravenslake, Middle Kingdom
Britainy and particularly the Northeast coast would have been greater influenced particularly by (Flemish) horses coming from the lowlands. (Think Dutch.) So a Friesian is not out of the question. But..., pending your portrayal (and authenticity level you are striving for), I again suggest looking at TYPE of horse and your social station. Are you military and need a courser? Etc...
Perhaps an early version of a Holsteiner but less boney. A heavier riding horse with traces back to the 14thC although spanish (likely Adalusian) were introduced to make it lighter and Thoroughbred added to improve the breed.
If you are looking for a draft horse, then perhaps the Breton, Comtois or an early version of the Auxois which is a modern version of an old Burgundian heavy horse.
The problem is that, (from a modern perspective looking back), the type of horse "we" wanted changed. So lots of Arabian, lots of Andalusian, lots of Thoroughbred, ... were introduced to make changes to make it a better riding, carriage, flashy long mane, .... horse.
It really makes you ponder "what's in a breed?".
Actually, I appreciate the question as I am adding another interesting breed to my research for Southern Germany. (I've always favoured the Oldenburg and particularly the Württemberg (as a medieval type horse) but I just came across the Bavarian Warm Blood which has many of the characteristics and history of the Friesian but as a very nice heavyweight riding horse.
Thanks!
FvH
Perhaps an early version of a Holsteiner but less boney. A heavier riding horse with traces back to the 14thC although spanish (likely Adalusian) were introduced to make it lighter and Thoroughbred added to improve the breed.
If you are looking for a draft horse, then perhaps the Breton, Comtois or an early version of the Auxois which is a modern version of an old Burgundian heavy horse.
The problem is that, (from a modern perspective looking back), the type of horse "we" wanted changed. So lots of Arabian, lots of Andalusian, lots of Thoroughbred, ... were introduced to make changes to make it a better riding, carriage, flashy long mane, .... horse.
It really makes you ponder "what's in a breed?".
Actually, I appreciate the question as I am adding another interesting breed to my research for Southern Germany. (I've always favoured the Oldenburg and particularly the Württemberg (as a medieval type horse) but I just came across the Bavarian Warm Blood which has many of the characteristics and history of the Friesian but as a very nice heavyweight riding horse.
Thanks!
FvH
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Kenwrec Wulfe
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- Joined: Thu May 22, 2003 1:01 am
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Thank you, Friedrich
The information has been a great help. Now, when it can be afforded, I have a direction to go with the equestrian aspect of reenactment.
------------------
"It is not the oath that gives me faith in the man, but the man that gives me faith in the oath."
With Honor,
Kenwrec Wulfe
"Crouching Squire, Hidden Flagon....of Mead!"
Squire to Sir Galen of Bristol
The Shire of Ravenslake, Middle Kingdom
The information has been a great help. Now, when it can be afforded, I have a direction to go with the equestrian aspect of reenactment.
------------------
"It is not the oath that gives me faith in the man, but the man that gives me faith in the oath."
With Honor,
Kenwrec Wulfe
"Crouching Squire, Hidden Flagon....of Mead!"
Squire to Sir Galen of Bristol
The Shire of Ravenslake, Middle Kingdom