Norman Conquest Encyclopedia
Horses
The use of the horse in battle was strange to the Viking and Anglo-Saxon warriors, but as the Vikings in France evolved into Normans they enthusiastically adopted the methods of warfare used by the Franks and cavalry was amongst them. It is said by some that Harold Godwinsson's men rode into battle at Stamford Bridge in 1066 to defeat Harald Hardrada and Tostig, but as the advance of the English was so swift it may well be that they remained mounted until the last minute. The Normans, on the other hand, had developed sophisticated tactics for the use of cavalry, including such devices as feigned flight which was apparently used at Senlac Hill.
See also: Anglo-Saxon; cavalry; feigned flight; Harald Hardrada; Harold Godwinsson; Senlac Hill; Stamford Bridge; Tostig
Related Reading:
- Hastings 1066 (Revised Edition)- The Fall of Saxon England
(Campaign 13 ) - Norman Knight AD 950-1204
(Warrior 1) - Anglo Saxon Thegn (Warrior 5)
- Saxon Viking Norman
(Men-at-Arms 85)
Mounted Norman knights charging into battle. (© Osprey Publishing Limited, from Warrior 1 Norman Knight 950-1066 AD, by Christopher Gravett, artwork by Christa Hook)