Barding (also spelled bard or barb) is armour for horses. During the late Middle Ages as armour protection for knights became more effective, their mounts became targets. This tactic was effective for the English at the Battle of Crécy in the fourteenth century where archers shot horses and heavy infantry killed the French knights after they dismounted. Barding developed as a response to such events.
Surviving period examples of barding are rare; however, complete sets are on display at the Wallace Collection in London, and the Royal Armouries in Leeds.
my favorite :-)
AntwortenLöschenYou do know the Hofjagd- und Rüstkammer in the Hofburg in Vienna?
AntwortenLöschenReally impressing!
http://www.khm.at/en/neue-burg/collections/collection-of-arms-and-armour/
Very typical that you pointed the armor of Emperor Charles V as your favorite...
AntwortenLöschenHe was the uncle of Archduke Charles of Styria, the founder of Lippiza... ;-)
right :-)
AntwortenLöschenI love the ears on the horses armor. So beautifully detailed. The shanks on the bit look very long. Do you know if that is actually what a bit was like then?
AntwortenLöschenThis is a wonderful post!!! Thank you so very much!! I keep saying "Oooh" and "Ahhh" every time I look at these amazing pictures.
AntwortenLöschenKisses
Romy
And one can while away quite a bit of time watching the videos on Royal Armouries in Leeds (UK) website - http://www.armouries.org.uk/what-we-do/video
AntwortenLöschengreat posting should remind us all of what the horse has had to put up with throughout history at the hands of the human race!!!
AntwortenLöschenMy father will be attending a conference in Leeds next month ~ is this a good place to suggest he visit?
AntwortenLöschenYes, I think so but why not share the link to the Royal Armouries website with him so he can explore what they have to offer for himself?
AntwortenLöschenIf he does not have a computer &/or is not near to you to use yours but is based in the UK he can use the local library computers to explore the web-link if he'd like to.
José,
AntwortenLöschenThank you for the suggestion ~ I did forward the link. (And my father informed me that there is a tour already organized there for conference attendees. He was concerned whether it would conflict with the 'authentic' Medieval feast for which he had already signed up!)
~Emily
This collection of photos is riveting...I'm in line with those who marvel at them and who are reminded of what the horse-as-known-by-man had to endure. The workmanship is so amazing, and one wonders at the willingness of horses to go into battle.
AntwortenLöschenI remember reading that French armor had more fluting on it until the French caught on to the fact that all those edges and swirls could too easily snag the end of an enemy lance...
Oh the warrior!!!!
AntwortenLöschenI would have to jump this guy, I just would not be able to stop myself ;-))))))
Has anyone here done any jousting? I have gone to watch it a few times at Renaissance Fairs and Jousting Tournaments. It is always very exciting. You know it is staged, but still, you can imagine that you are back in the 16th century. And some amazing riding goes on. The horses are always gorgeous and sometimes the knights are too! ;-)
AntwortenLöschenRomy