07-25-2010, 03:40 AM
More good points.
If we consider that Gildas was writing in administrative jargon of the majority, then the terms used are uncannily Roman. What was the pro-British minority that would have had fighting tactics other than Roman? All I can think of is the Desii (Irish) in Demetia, albeit probably brought in as early as Magnus Maximus and therefore fairly well Romanized themselves, and a few Scotti kingdoms above the Wall. Yet, on the whole, it is difficult to visualize some great departure from the Roman military tradition.
In these times, horses were hardy, no need for stabling or special feed. As you say, maybe not cataphract-styled cavalry but something on the order of light Roman cavalry. I really see no accounting for a dearth of mounts. What we find, in those sparse remaining sources, seems to point at the Saxons being foot, not the Britons. Particularly in the western lowlands and Wales (if a villa society is measured), the mounted fighter was still there into the 7th century. There is more than a probability that the Romano-British cavalry tradition lived-on for some time.
Even if it had been "watered" or debilitated, a capability of cavalry in Britain was there. Look at the Franks at the beginning of the 8th century-- every man who owned a horse was required to arm himself and practice militaria. A standing militia. And there's no reason that Britain could not have mustered a militia a few centuries prior to this, including mounted bowmen and lancers.
By the way, Craig. Ships were "that big." Some of them were gigantic. British vessels were deep-draught and carrying big loads, enabling Riothamus to make reasonably expedient troop movements. Even early in the Iron Age, trans-channel vessels and trading ships from the Med were big enough to carry livestock. On the other hand, Saxon keels were smaller. :lol:
If we consider that Gildas was writing in administrative jargon of the majority, then the terms used are uncannily Roman. What was the pro-British minority that would have had fighting tactics other than Roman? All I can think of is the Desii (Irish) in Demetia, albeit probably brought in as early as Magnus Maximus and therefore fairly well Romanized themselves, and a few Scotti kingdoms above the Wall. Yet, on the whole, it is difficult to visualize some great departure from the Roman military tradition.
In these times, horses were hardy, no need for stabling or special feed. As you say, maybe not cataphract-styled cavalry but something on the order of light Roman cavalry. I really see no accounting for a dearth of mounts. What we find, in those sparse remaining sources, seems to point at the Saxons being foot, not the Britons. Particularly in the western lowlands and Wales (if a villa society is measured), the mounted fighter was still there into the 7th century. There is more than a probability that the Romano-British cavalry tradition lived-on for some time.
Even if it had been "watered" or debilitated, a capability of cavalry in Britain was there. Look at the Franks at the beginning of the 8th century-- every man who owned a horse was required to arm himself and practice militaria. A standing militia. And there's no reason that Britain could not have mustered a militia a few centuries prior to this, including mounted bowmen and lancers.
By the way, Craig. Ships were "that big." Some of them were gigantic. British vessels were deep-draught and carrying big loads, enabling Riothamus to make reasonably expedient troop movements. Even early in the Iron Age, trans-channel vessels and trading ships from the Med were big enough to carry livestock. On the other hand, Saxon keels were smaller. :lol:
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
