"Medieval Horse barding" Topic

Just a question that sprung into my mind while checking out the Perry's latest plastic offering with their mounted Knights,why are later Medieval Mounted Knights seen without barding?. Taking into account the power and popularity of the longbow and use of arrow storm tactics to open up War of the Roses battles, would'nt it be almost suicidal for the horse to go into battle without armour?

After all the Medieval War horse must have still represented a considerable investment in terms of training and upkeep for any Knight, and its chances for survival without armour, somewhat slim?

Cheers in advance

Jon

Taking into account the power and popularity of the longbow and use of arrow storm tactics to open up War of the Roses battles, would'nt it be almost suicidal for the horse to go into battle without armour?

It probably was. That is why in the WOTR most of the time the men-at-arms dismounted before a battle.

After all the Medieval War horse must have still represented a considerable investment in terms of training and upkeep for any Knight, and its chances for survival without armour, somewhat slim?

Bearing in mind that a full harness would cost (in today's terms) the equivalent of a top of the range sports car, horse armour was probably just as expensive, possibly more so.

Cheers Margard, but then why do we see tapestry and painted illustrations without harness and the Perries depicting no harness?. Can understand the decision by men at arms during this period to dismount, it makes sense, also am aware of the depth of knowledge and research by the Perry twins in this period, both being keen re-enactors, but bearing this in mind, why not all Mounted knights in some form of armour of whatever kind to at least protect that investment?

Keep in mind that big battles and massed archery was rare events compared to the daily grind of medieval warfare. Depending on the cirumstance the increased endurance and mobility of an unarmoured horse may well be worth the lack of protection.

Even in battle the lack of a bard may not be as suicidal as it may seem, during the later years of the HYW the French repeatedly demonstrated that even massed English archers coould be overrun by fast moving cavalry in the right circumstances. and if you intended to attack the flank or the rear of the enemy you did not need the same level of protection as in a frontal charge.

but then why do we see tapestry and painted illustrations without harness and the Perries depicting no harness?

The Mounted MAA set from Perrys is intended to cover ALL the European armies of the period. Horse armour was much more common (and available) in continental Europe than in England, since most of it was made in either Germany or Italy.

and the Perries depicting no harness?

Not really sure what you are referring to here – the models themselves come with enough parts to provide a full plate barding for each of the horses provided.

Financial restrictions were not totally insignificant – proper plate barding would have cost quite a lot. Not that the horses were exactly cheap, either.