The History Behind Medieval Warfare
Cavalry had already been established and was dominant during the Early Middle Ages. In films, knights are often portrayed as being completely covered in armor, riding horses and wielding swords or spears. But how accurate is this depiction? Read on to find out.
Warfare underwent numerous transformations throughout history, and medieval warfare was broadly divided into three main troop types: cavalry, infantry, and archers. In this article, we will focus on cavalry and its role in medieval combat.
Cavalry had already been established and was dominant during the Early Middle Ages. Knights, who were usually members of the nobility, lived relatively peaceful lives on their estates. However, when war broke out, they were summoned to join the cavalry. In films, knights are often portrayed as being completely covered in armor, riding horses and wielding swords or spears. But how accurate is this depiction? Read on to find out.
Medieval soldiers most often fought for profit (namely plunder obtained during raids) or for the defense of their land and families. Armies frequently targeted enemy supply lines and the soldiers responsible for logistics. When such strategies were not possible, open combat became inevitable.
Medieval Cavalry Tactics
The spear was the most popular weapon among knights. During the 10th and 11th centuries, a new tactic emerged in which the rider held the spear under the right arm and charged directly at the enemy, piercing defensive lines with the full force of the charge. Before this technique was developed, knights advanced more slowly and used shorter spears, which proved impractical because their length made them difficult to secure firmly during combat. Knights also employed a tactic of throwing spears in an athletic manner. In England, for example, knights sometimes dismounted and joined the infantry, a method of warfare characteristic of the 12th and 13th centuries.
However, these tactics were not medieval inventions. In fact, they originated in Byzantine and Islamic military traditions. Small, tightly packed formations of armored cavalry were well suited to such combat and already existed during the Carolingian period, despite the fact that these formations were originally designed for hit-and-run tactics inherited from the late Roman Empire.
Spear charges were strictly linear: cavalrymen advanced directly toward the enemy in a straight line and then withdrew to confuse the opponent and gain a tactical advantage. Such attacks were often preceded by archers weakening enemy ranks with volleys of arrows. In some cases, cavalrymen would dismount and continue the fight with swords and maces, although this was relatively rare due to advancements in shields and saddles. These developments allowed mounted warriors to use stirrups, enabling them to stand while riding and strike downward with greater force.
The Stirrup and Other Key Cavalry Tactics
The stirrup first appeared in Western Europe in the 8th century, at a time when the saddle was already in use. It provided essential support, helping knights maintain balance and remain securely mounted. In contrast, Eastern riders did not rely on stirrups; instead, they capitalized on superior riding skills, speed, and maneuverability, which gave them a distinct advantage in combat.
Armored cavalry proved most effective in battles fought on open, flat terrain. However, such engagements were relatively rare, while sieges were far more common, making cavalry less useful overall. Furthermore, cavalry did not guarantee victory in large-scale wars due to the effectiveness of infantry formations. Infantry units fought with long spears, forming dense ranks and waiting for cavalry charges. If archers failed to weaken the infantry beforehand, charging horsemen would crash directly into spear points. This tactic was popularized by Swiss infantry and was widely used during the 14th century.
You made it to the end! To answer your question: did films get the depiction of cavalrymen right? The answer is yes and no. Some movies present largely accurate portrayals of medieval tactics, while others do not. Just to name a few that got it right, the first that come to mind are Kingdom of Heaven (Director’s Cut, 2005) and The King (2019). Both films show that cavalry was limited in its use and that its effectiveness depended heavily on terrain. However, I will stop here, as analyzing these films in depth is a topic for another day.
In our next article, we will turn our attention to archers warfare. If you’re interested in the tactics of medieval archery, we invite you to join us and subscribe to our newsletter!
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Sources:
Nicolle, D., European Medieval Tactics (1): The Fall and Rise of Cavalry 450-1260, Osprey Publishing, 2011
Palermo, B., Waddell, J., Medieval arms, armor and tactics: Tactics of the Middle Ages, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2002
Živković, G., “Artiljerija – Kraljica rata”, Essehist: časopis studenata povijesti i drugih društveno-humanističkih znanosti, Vol.7 No.7, 2016