Sub-Roman Britain (Cavalry etc)

[Alanus]

Here are a few things of interest. I don't know how "sarmatianized" the Roman cavalry was, but this is a description of changing mounts, "They run over very great distances, pursuing others or themselves turning their backs, being mounted on swift and obedient horses and leading one, or sometimes two, so that an exchange may keep up the strength of their mounts and that their freshness may be renewed by alternative periods of rest.' (Ammianus XVII, 12, 3).

I've heard it claimed that the Avars introduced the stirrup to Europe, and I have a Chinese stone picture of Saluzi, the warhorse of Emperor Taizong, c. 636. It shows stirrups as we see them today and also a "crenellated" mane, Alanic-style.

Here's an idea of what weapons may have been employed by the post-Roman British. It describes the actions of a foster-son (and perhaps body-guard) of King Morgan of Gwent, "... but in a moment his procurator Guengarth, coming up on horseback with shield and sword and lance, hurled himself into the river..." (Saint Cadoc Records, Cottonian MS., Vesp. A. xiv, B.M.) This sounds pretty much like the same stuff used by the Roman cavalry.