Ribchester Roman Festival 11/12 July

[John Conyard]

The 14th annual Ribchester Roman Festival will be held this coming weekend.

Bremetenacum Veteranorum, was an early Flavian fort that was succeeded by a 2.7ha timber late Flavian fort. This was in turn succeeded by a stone fort early in the 2nd century that remained in use into the 4th century. It was garrisoned by Ala II Asturum (late 1st-2nd century?), Numerus equitatum Sarmatarum (2nd-3rd century?) and Cuneus Sarmatarum (3rd-4th century).

Bits of archaeology are visible, but most of the stonework was used in building the beautiful little village. Ribchester was the site of the first Roman helmet discovered in Britain, a cavalry sports helmet. An excellent museum commemorates the discovery and the Roman history of the town. The museum is dedicated to the Romano-British history of Bremetenacum Veteranorum.

Comitatus will there with four Roman horses and riders. It's very temping to dress up as Sarmations and start sticking swords in stones. But we will stick to 4th century Romans with just an armful of Taifali.

[John Conyard]

It was a very enjoyable weekend. It was good meeting our friends from Leg. II Augusta and various RATers. We did lots of filming, and some excellent cavalry shows. Various professional photos can be viewed at

http://bluplanet.smugmug.com/gallery/88 ... 2604_MsAuM

While here are some we took.

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[Robert Vermaat]

Awesome John! Can't wait to to see your cataphract completed! Wow!

[John Conyard]

I have to admit when I first saw Mark Caple galloping towards me with his horse armour my first instinct was to run away. You perceive the rider and horse as being invulnerable, and their combined weight seems magnified. It was a magnificent sight.

We did 4th century cavalry on the Saturday, and Graham Sumner was able to take some photos of us without armour during practice. On Sunday we did a show based on 1st, 3rd and 4th century cavalrymen. After reading Harry Sidebottom’s latest novel it was good to volunteer for the 3rd century impression. I got to use different items from my equipment room such as the wide baldric, but the Buch helmet restricted my head movement. Riding at speed carrying the kontos vertically wasn’t much fun.

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My horse was very argumentative and grumpy, and it was a constant battle to keep him “on task” during the shows. But the first show was good and the next three were excellent. I particularly enjoyed shooting on the move a 1st century legionary running to help form a testudo. The segmentata didn’t cover his posterior. And I liked the way the semicylindrical shield boards funnelled the arrows towards the slight gaps in the formation. Roughly half the arrows went through the testudo.

I’m not sure what you mean by “cataphract completed”. Mark’s armour has taken him around two years to complete. It’s based on “Housing I” from Dura, and now in Damascas. I suspect at least one other rider will be completing a housing soon, but I don’t have plans to armour my horse in the near future. Reconstructing the famous charging clibanrius graffito would mean placing a greater emphasis on using iconographic evidence. It has been suggested that the leather thigh-guards from Dura could be crinnets for a horse, and it may be interesting to make a set one day.

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The show was excellent value for the public. It marked our half way point in the season, with five shows yet to go. Four of those are with the horses and no doubt there’ll be more pictures in due course.

[Robert Vermaat]

Hi John,

I’m not sure what you mean by “cataphract completed”. Mark’s armour has taken him around two years to complete. It’s based on “Housing I” from Dura, and now in Damascas. I suspect at least one other rider will be completing a housing soon, but I don’t have plans to armour my horse in the near future. Reconstructing the famous charging clibanrius graffito would mean placing a greater emphasis on using iconographic evidence. It has been suggested that the leather thigh-guards from Dura could be crinnets for a horse, and it may be interesting to make a set one day.

Aha. And I even said 'your cataphract' - I think I have been assuming that only Comitatus had Late Roman cavalry! Is Mark Caple a member of Legio II Augusta?

I meant to say that I did not think that this cataphract armour is complete. I know what it's based on, but I don't think that the Dura finds represent complete horse armour. I really think that the neck and head of the horse also need some form of armour. I mean, a horse with this kind of armour looks like it had a battlefield role that warrants a lot of protection, and not covering the neck and head of the horse seems opposed to that. Are you of the opinion that the Dura housing represents a complete set of horse armour?

Warren Lambley's cataphract set (last I heard was that he was working on the neck part):

[John Conyard]

Let me settle your confusion. Mark made the reconstruction, and he's a member of Comitatus. Comitatus do early, middle and late Roman cavalry. The armour is based on a Dura find deposited around 257 A.D.

To re-iterate, iconographic evidence suggests the use crinnet and chamfron. Two pieces of leather armour found at Dura which are generally considered thigh guards have been interpreted as crinnets. It may be interesting to reconstruct them as such.

To continue the Dura theme, as James’ stated placing two items together in the same assemblage would be a supposition, but one based on iconographic evidence, and supported by contemporary accounts. And no more of a supposition than wearing ridge helmet, mail etc. together.

I suspect Mark will continue to develop his impression. The dedication needed to produce such a horse armour suggests he will. But his reconstruction stands in its own right.

[Robert Vermaat]

All clear now! I think it's a beauty.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Is Fronto still working on his ?

[John Conyard]

Yes, Fronto wants to finish his and start on another.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

He'll be busy then! He has somenice swords in his collection too, to go a little ot....

[Robert Vermaat]

Some pictures by Graham Sumner. Indeed John, I can see you arguing with your horse!

[John Conyard]

Thanks for those. Graham was delivering his paintings for a future exhibition at Ribchester, and caught the Friday morning practice.

It's good to see soft kit on display. Earlier for some filming I'd done some post-Roman stuff with a saddle blanket, shield and javelins. It felt rather Greek.

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I was trying to explain how British tribal cavalry didn't resemble late Roman armoured units.