Medieval horsey stuff :)

cob&onion

cob&onion

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Because its a lazy sunday afternoon thought i would share this what i came across, makes an interesting read :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horses_in_the_Middle_Ages

Has anyone got any old medieval horsey stuff? or know anymore on the subject? find it fascinating

Take a look at this snaffle!

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And this old stirrup which was found in the river themes (10th century!) it looks very small, but then again you only have to visit any old medieval castle to realize people then were not as tall as nowadays, also apparently horses where alot small too being aroud the 14hh mark? correct me if am wrong!


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The phrase "hag ridden" comes from mediaeval horse care. Horses were kept in poorly ventilated barns and so they'd get low on oxygen during the night. They were found sweaty in the morning, and of course the obvious explanation was that the local witches had been riding the horses during the night!
 
The enamelled bit is beautiful, and is likely to be of Roman date, though similar to a Iron Age bit in style (transitional). It's probably copper alloy. Medieval bits tend to favour bits that have more in common with our western bits, with long shanks and often elaborate mouth pieces. And that look quit horrific, bit like their spurs with the big spikey rowels!!

Sorry, bored archaeologist who cant ride her pony as in bed with flu :(
 
mustardsmum said:
The enamelled bit is beautiful, and is likely to be of Roman date, though similar to a Iron Age bit in style (transitional). It's probably copper alloy. Medieval bits tend to favour bits that have more in common with our western bits, with long shanks and often elaborate mouth pieces. And that look quit horrific, bit like their spurs with the big spikey rowels!!

Sorry, bored archaeologist who cant ride her pony as in bed with flu :(
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Oooooooo intesresting, you should join in on the soapbox thread of metal detector finds :D
 
I went to an amazing talk at the British Museum about equestrianism in the middle ages, worth keeping an eye out for if they're doing another, it was fantastic and I can't recommend it enough.

I love this kind of thing! Our babby horse (the dun one in my sig) looks to me like a charger, so tempted to grow his mane out and do re-enactments!
 
cob&onion said:
Because its a lazy sunday afternoon thought i would share this what i came across, makes an interesting read :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horses_in_the_Middle_Ages

Has anyone got any old medieval horsey stuff? or know anymore on the subject? find it fascinating

Take a look at this snaffle!

2ps4m0j.jpg


And this old stirrup which was found in the river themes (10th century!) it looks very small, but then again you only have to visit any old medieval castle to realize people then were not as tall as nowadays, also apparently horses where alot small too being aroud the 14hh mark? correct me if am wrong!


21jzw9z.jpg
Click to expand...

Another history buff here, specifically horse-related but also we run a business making reproduction artefacts and clothing as well as giving displays. The bit is an Iron Age bronze enamelled one, British find. The stirrup is Viking, iron with silver inlay. Medieval people were not that tiny; average height about 5'6" for men, but the horses were indeed small, up to 14h although there were a few bigger. Most horse skeletal finds from the early Medieval period are around 12.2 - 13h. There a several horse museums in France, Saumur and Chantilly are both pretty comprehensive.
 
Not medieval but the royal armouries in Leeds has lots of horses in armour and also in oriental armour. Very interesting and free.
 
fatpony said:
Not medieval but the royal armouries in Leeds has lots of horses in armour and also in oriental armour. Very interesting and free.
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Most of the mounted armours are indeed Medieval, with some 17c stuff too. The Royal Armouries also used to do mounted demonstrations, but I think they now only do tournaments as special events. Well worth a visit!
 
I wish you were closer, would have loved to come and watch one of your demonstrations! Do you ever do stuff for tv?
 
Your right, enamelling began 3rd century BC so Iron Age is right, Was thinking the Iron Age used coral inlay, but enamelling replaced coral inlay earlier than I thought, so I stand corrected! :)
 
Pigeon said:
I wish you were closer, would have loved to come and watch one of your demonstrations! Do you ever do stuff for tv?
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Yup, all the time (TV/film work), but not always with horses. Being of the female persuasion it is often not me riding for media work (but I can do a good beard when necessary). The live demos are usually me though - the helmet hides a lot for jousting and the late 17th century show I seem to be able to get away with it until it comes time to speak.
 
mustardsmum said:
Your right, enamelling began 3rd century BC so Iron Age is right, Was thinking the Iron Age used coral inlay, but enamelling replaced coral inlay earlier than I thought, so I stand corrected! :)
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Coral inlays still occasionally found alongside enamels though, so you're not wrong. I'll see if I can find a pic of one of our reproductions.....
 
Cortez said:
Most of the mounted armours are indeed Medieval, with some 17c stuff too. The Royal Armouries also used to do mounted demonstrations, but I think they now only do tournaments as special events. Well worth a visit!
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Is it? Well shows how much I learnt :-) Just liked looking at it all and playing on the crossbow range on the top floor.
 
Cortez said:
Another history buff here, specifically horse-related but also we run a business making reproduction artefacts and clothing as well as giving displays. The bit is an Iron Age bronze enamelled one, British find. The stirrup is Viking, iron with silver inlay. Medieval people were not that tiny; average height about 5'6" for men, but the horses were indeed small, up to 14h although there were a few bigger. Most horse skeletal finds from the early Medieval period are around 12.2 - 13h. There a several horse museums in France, Saumur and Chantilly are both pretty comprehensive.
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Posts like this make the forum worth reading some days - interesting stuff. Also envious of your job!
 
That is a wonderful photo Cortez! :)

I thought this was going to be about mediaeval riding things - the riding school I go to has mediaeval days every so often and I love to see pics of my mare (who I sold to my RI) galloping at the quintain! :D

Dont go much for the tack in those days though!
 
I have the plans for a medieval saddle circa 13 th century and the bridle to match, one day I'll make them!
Although not strictly horsey but from the medieval period I make or restore items for medieval re enactors and have done work for the National Theatre wardrobe/props dept which is interesting and varied.
For the re enactors I mainly make or repair their brigadines, belts and harness for swords and armour and bell tent repairs.
I made this one below out of chap suede as a copy of the real one in a museum.

brigadine2_zpsdcc8ab39.jpg
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Cortez - i always thought you where a male?! most envious of your job! :)


JFTD said:
Posts like this make the forum worth reading some days - interesting stuff. Also envious of your job!
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I love learning and reading about british history, even better when its from actual live people who can share their knowledge :)

cremedemonthe said:
I have the plans for a medieval saddle circa 13 th century and the bridle to match, one day I'll make them!
Although not strictly horsey but from the medieval period I make or restore items for medieval re enactors and have done work for the National Theatre wardrobe/props dept which is interesting and varied.
For the re enactors I mainly make or repair their brigadines, belts and harness for swords and armour and bell tent repairs.
I made this one below out of chap suede as a copy of the real one in a museum.

brigadine2_zpsdcc8ab39.jpg
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Did you make all the chainmail too?
 
I didn't make that shirt of mail but I do make butted mail now and again which as you probably know is not authentic as it was mostly seen in Japan as far as I know and not Europe, the mail in the photo is the more like the real thing in the fact that it's riveted together.
But the mail in the photo is flat not rounded and as far as I know but happy to be corrected, mail was round not flat as it was drawn through holes into wire, so rounded.
I have patterns for mail that the Arrmourer from the Tower of London gave me 20 odd years ago or more.
I had to sign a document to say I would not photocopy it or sell the printed work. It is a marvelous insight and good instructions on how to manufacture it.
This is rounded butted mail on this wristband I made

chainmail2.jpg
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Oz
 
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