Horseman

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Horsemen are individuals engaging in equestrianism. Most often, the term refers more specifically to soldiers on horseback, and, if it is their military role to fight from this position, they are conventionally known as cavalry.^[1]

Cavalry were an ubiquitous unit of warfare throughout human history until major advancements in firearm technology rendered them obsolete from World War I onward. Aside from this, horsemen were regularly employed for reconnaissance and to patrol cities.^[2]

History[edit | edit source]

During the 9th century, Francia had both Light and Heavy Cavalry units, who patrolled the kingdom's countryside and attacked any perceived enemy on sight. One such individual was the Viking shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir, who encountered and defeated a number of Frankish horsemen during her travels in 886.^[3]

In the early 16th century, the House of Borgia employed horsemen to patrol the streets of Rome and ensure the Borgia's rule over the city was maintained. Unlike other guard types, horsemen were mainly found outside the city walls, patrolling the Antico and Campagna Districts.^[4]

In 1725, the Shimazu clan employed a number of ninja who specialized in mounted combat. The British Assassin Edward Kenway encountered two such ninja when they attacked him at a warehouse in Macau, where he killed them and their companions.^[5] Later, Edward also faced the Qing Empire's Special Cavalry Unit, which was dispatched to the Philippines to eliminate him and his allies. Thanks to a crescent-shaped Piece of Eden in his possession, Edward was able to single-handedly wipe out most of the unit, killing the soldiers and their horses.^[6]

Equipment[edit | edit source]

In the 9th century, Frankish horsemen were divided into two main categories: Light and Heavy Cavalry. The former specialized in ranged combat, carrying bows which they would shoot at their foes while maintaing their distance. If an enemy managed to get close, the soldiers would draw their swords and engage them heads-on, although their light armor provided little defense.^[7] Conversely, Heavy Cavalry soldiers wore highly resistant mail armor and wielded lances and shields, decimating enemy troops up-close.^[8]

During the 16th century, horsemen were mounted on one of two varieties of horse, being either the common horse or the warhorse. They were equipped with both short-ranged weapons such as swords or blunt weapons, and long-ranged weapons like throwing knives and crossbows. However, they did not possess long or heavy weapons.^[4]

One of the Shimazu horsemen encountered by Edward Kenway wielded a long weapon in the form of a yari, while the other was armed with only a musket.^[5] The soldiers of the Qing Empire's Special Cavalry Unit all wielded spears, as their main battle tactic was charging at the enemy head-on.^[6]

Combat[edit | edit source]

When a horseman detected Ezio Auditore in Rome, they would either charge at him with their short-ranged weapon at the ready, or they would attempt to strike the Assassin with their long-ranged weapon if he tried to flee or begin freerunning.^[4]

Horsemen often held an advantage in a fight, as they could move faster and use their steeds to knock over enemies on the ground. However, they were vulnerable to long-ranged weapons and could be unseated if their horses were injured while charging. Should they be unsaddled, horsemen would either challenge their enemies on the ground or attempt to re-mount their horse.^[4]

Trivia[edit | edit source]

In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, a guard on foot, usually a captain or Papal Guard, will sometimes mount a nearby horse upon becoming hostile towards Ezio. If no free horse is available, the guard will hijack one from a passing civilian.
Horsemen cannot be killed with the Poison Blade while on horseback and have to be unsaddled first. If shot with a poison dart however, there is a chance that the horseman might fall off.
Horsemen cannot be lured by thieves, attacked by mercenaries, or distracted by courtesans.
- However, on completing the Roman Courtesans' and Thieves' guild challenges, the courtesans will be granted the ability to distract horsemen, making the guard dismount, while thieves will pull the guard from their horse and flee.
Certain mounted Hermeticists in The Da Vinci Disappearance share the abilities of horsemen.
In Assassin's Creed: Revelations, only the Byzantines are shown as able to field cavalry, as seen in the memory "End of the Road". Historically, the Byzantine army was able to field both light and heavy cavalry, the latter category including the famed cataphracts. However, the Ottomans are not seen fielding cavalry of their own. Ottoman armies of the 16th century also included cavalry regiments, lightly armored horse archers called Akinjis, and heavily armored cavalrymen called Sipahis.
In Assassin's Creed III, Officers and Jägers will sometimes mount horses and use flintlock pistols to attack as well as charge at Ratonhnhaké:ton.
In Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, Anglo-Saxon armies do not include cavalry, despite some soldiers seen riding horses. This reflects how both they and the Vikings fought. While they normally rode horses to battle, they would often dismount and fight on foot.