Medieval World FORUM
Stirrups
Peter
Hello,
I have just been reading "Germanic Warrior 236-568". Plate K shows a 6th-century Ostrogothic warrior using stirrups. I wonder which evidence exists for the use of stirrups by Germanic warriors in this era.
Greetings,
Peter
Report offensive material
RESPONSES
| Draconifer |
1
The Ostrogoths would regrettably have had contact with equestrian nomads making incursions/full scale invasions into Roman territories.
Besides the Sarmatians/Alans or Avars there were of course Asiatic peoples like the Huns and diverse peoples who served under their banners, who had a separate technological tradition and more advanced innovations than Western Europe. These were introduced to their Gothic allies and conscripts. As much armaments and armour were aquired during looting of corpses in aftermath you would see some rather assorted combinations in the warriors and there was not entirely uniformity in the Gothic armies of the time. Spontaneous adoption
of new war techniques was common in the dark ages, necessitated by the severity of the battles.
The theory is not entirely farfetched as equipment was not widely standardised in some non legionary contending armies. If anything call it artistic license and probable surmising based upon sound reasoning. That is fair enough.
Posted: 12-Aug-2009 19:48
Report offensive material
|
| Draconifer |
2
"The first dependable representation of a rider with paired stirrups was found in China in a Jin Dynasty tomb of about AD 322.[14][15][16] The stirrup appeared to be in widespread use across China by AD 477."
Atilla and the Huns of course were granted tribute by Chinese Emperors
and this is before European conquest.
"Stirrups reached Sweden in the 6th century, leading to the establishment of mounted Thegns during the Swedish Vendel Age. Rich graves from this period held the remains and regalia of mounted elite warriors, which include stirrups."
"By the 7th century, primarily due to invaders from Central Asia, such as the Avars, stirrups spread across Asia to Europe. By the 8th century, they appear to have been adopted by the Europeans."
Later, a single stirrup was used as a mounting aid by a nomadic group known as the Sarmatians."
All are panaromic references to widespred rather than individual use.
There are depictions also of Sarmatian or Alan warriors using
stirrups on Roman Triumphs. The Alans would have had early contact
with Goths.
Posted: 12-Aug-2009 20:17
Report offensive material
|
| Draconifer |
3
Not to belabour the point but as the Alans or Sarmatians were in force during the pivotal battle of Adrianople and circa the Gothic revolt the depiction would be accurate. Mostly single stirrups for vaulting
into the saddle and because of equestrian machismo of steppe knights.
The Eastern innovations used to devestating effect upon Roman legions, those of pre "dark age" cavalry equipment would not be equaled till well into the fifteenth century.
Thank you for the critical observation. You are quite correct that
twin stirrups as such were not widely used in Western Europe.
For example when the Berber warriors faced the Franks of Karl Magna
or Charlemegne the African warriors used double stirrups. The Carolingian knights did not.
Posted: 29-Aug-2009 10:20
Report offensive material
|