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The fully developed Western European ‘jousting saddle’ was known by the early 12th century, though the term arcons, referring to extensions to the rear of a saddle, had been recorded at least a generation earlier. In the fully developed peaked or jousting saddle these arcons wrapped around a rider’s but-tocks, making it very difficult to unseat him. On the other hand it was eąually difficult for a rider to remount such a saddle if unhorsed. The curb bit, which gave a rider morę immediate control over his horse, spread throughout Europę by the i4th century, having been reintroduced from the Islamie lands, but spurs had never fallen out of use sińce Roman times. In fact they remained unchanged throughout the early Middle Ages, only adopting a slightly curved outline in the late i2th century. The rowel spur with a spinning spiked wheel was first recorded in i3th century Russia and Byzantium, and did not become popular in France until the i4th.

The true couched lance appeared in the west in the mid-uth century, having been known in Byzantium for at least a hundred years, and the throwing of spears from horseback was probably abandoned in France by the late i ith century. During the i2th and i3th centuries the design of lances, shields and mail hauberks showed inereasing concern for the penetrating power of lances which had inereased with the couched techniąue. Contrary to a widespread misapprehension, the wings beneath the blades of nth century cavalry spears were not suited to the couched lance techniąue and were not designed to prevent excessive penetration of a victim’s body; rather, they were a hangover from early techniąues in which a spear was held in both hands using thrusting and cutting motions. By the i2th century Western European cavałry lances were regarded as notably long, perhaps because the couched techniąue enabled a rider to hołd his weapon well behind its point of balance. Late i2th century references to lances being ‘laid upon the saddlebow’ during a charge were probably poetic exaggerations, although the European peaked or jousting saddle did develop a remarkably high cantle to protect the rider’s groin and abdomen.

In the early i ith century the milites' training was

‘War between Angevins andHohenstauffens', late ijth century walipainting. These crude picturcs show a ncw style of conical great hełm as well as smali

metal plates to protect knees and clbows. (In situ Tour Ferrande, Perncs-les-Fontaines; author's photograph)

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