Learnings: Horses and Warfare

A copper alloy stirrup mount with animal decorations / 11th cent.

This copper alloy stirrup mount dates to the 11th century. Historians continue to debate how horses were used in Anglo-Saxon warfare. It is thought that warriors would ride to battle, but not necessarily into battle. West Saxons would use horses to move swiftly across terrain to intercept Viking attacks, but may have dismounted once the fighting began.

There could be many reasons to fight on foot rather than on horseback. By dismounting, a warrior gave up the chance at an easy retreat; the gesture could have been seen as courageous. Committing to fighting on foot to the bitter end may have strengthened the bonds between a group of warriors.