Carolingian Cavalryman AD 768–987

Another widespread ruse was the digging of hidden pits to disrupt enemy cavalry. The Saracens used this tactic to defeat a 9th-century Lombard cavalry force in southern Italy, and in 991 Conan of Brittany almost defeated Foulque of Anjou by the same means at Conquereuil. Here, the Bretons, who were defending Nantes, reached the battlefield first, then dug pits and ditches disguised with turf. Conan’s men also built an earthwork across the field, with marshes to the right and left, then channelled water into some of the new ditches. When the Breton horsemen pretended to retreat, part of Foulque’s leading squadron charged without orders. Foulque followed with the rest of the squadron while his reserve remained in position. The Angevin formation lost cohesion when many horses fell into the pits or ditches, and many men were killed by a Breton counter-attack. Count Foulque was unhorsed but was saved by his mail hauberk. Though the Angevin attackers withdrew, the Bretons did not pursue because the Angevin reserve was still in position. Foulque now re-imposed order, despite the loss of his standard-bearer, and showed effective leadership by leading his own counter-attack. This caught the Bretons by surprise as they believed the battle to have been won.