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horse riders in Roman Britain

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by robert382 (U6596743) on Sunday, 25th November 2007

  a recent article in the Times decscribed and illustrated a Romano-British artefract discovered last year in Yorkshire by an amateur using a metal detector. this figurine accurately showed a rider standing on a horses back with reins to the horses mouth, and possibly riding at a fast gallop. this style of riding was commonly practised on the Hungarian and polish steppe country, but not as far as I am aware in Britain. I am not sure what exact date this figurine was made, but if after the Roman conquest in the 1st century AD, only Cavalry legionary troops of the Roman Army (maybe some Brits among them) would normally have the expertise to ride standing,as far as I am aware.
  does anyone have more information on this figurine (Times 23 November), and implications for Roman cavalry tactics in the North of England and Scotland. Also did the Saxons know anything about cavalry horses in warfare. ?

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  Posted by stalteriisok (U3212540) on Sunday, 25th November 2007

  from what i know (limited) the only saxon troops who used horses were the huscarles who were mounted infanty who used the horses to get to battle
  
  they then dismounted to get to the REAL fighting in the shield wall
  
  st

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  Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Sunday, 25th November 2007

  Hi poshsussex,
  
  Please forgive me if I'm completely off target. The Portable Antiquities Scheme has recently published its report for 2006. This could easily have triggered reports in the press. I've searched through the PAS database but can't find anything that meets your description. There was a beautiful copper-alloy Roman horse and rider figurine. The rider rode the horse conventionally but I have seen pictures with the horse and rider separated and the rider appearing to stand on the animal. But it was Cambridge not Yorkshire and there are no reins.
  
  Is there any chance that this is what you had in mind?
  
  TP

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  Posted by robert382 (U6596743) on Monday, 26th November 2007

  thanks for info. I think you are right on the horse and rider being seperated in the photo in the Times, but if it were true that some riders could ride on a horses back, they must have been very proficient and reminiscent of Puzta riders today in Hungary who do so in this way, echoes of Hunnic cavalry in the 5th Century. there is of course the Arthurian legend of the "knights of the round table", who were in effect mounted warriors attacking Saxon invaders in the east and north of England. unfortunately there is no written evidence of this, as far as I know, only legend. another mystery shrouded in the mists of celtic post Roman Britain.

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  Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Monday, 26th November 2007

  Hi poshsussex,
  
  Saxon 'invaders'?
  
  'East and north' of 'England'?
  
  'Celtic' post-Roman Britain?
  
  You're a great one for starting hares running!!
  
  Best wishes,
  
  TP
  
  PS I'm originally from Sussex myself; but by no means a post part unfortunately.

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