"9th-10th century Franks in the Bern Prudentius' Psychomachia" Topic

Prudentius (born in 348 in northern Spain, died after 405) spent most of his life following worldly pursuits, but later turned to writing, in which he aimed to glorify God and atone for his earlier sins. One of his most popular works is a poem called Psychomachia (Conflict of the Soul), which describes the battles between female personifications of human virtues and vices.
Illustrations include:
'Abraham & Lot', Ms. Bern Burgerbibliothek Cod. 264, Lake Constance, c.900AD

. p63 has a Carolingian horseman using a couched(?) lance
. As well as "Carolingian helmets'" there are segmented helmets
. Segmented helmets are also worn by Carolingian soldiers in the Corbie Psalter, Northern France, early 9th century
'Chastity (in classical Carolingian armour and long dress) & Lust', Ms. Bern Burgerbibliothek Cod. 264, Lake Constance, c.900AD
. Three of the four shields carried by Chastity are an unusual pelta type shield. Typical round Carolingian shields in 'Long-Suffering Being Escorted Unharmed Through An Army By Job' in Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 264, Lake Constance, c.900AD
Similar pelta type shields:
The personification of Avarice with pelta, in BnF Ms. Latin 8318, 9th century
Three of the four shields in Chastity and Lust, Prudentius: Brussels, Bibliotheque royale, Ms. 10066-77, 10th century are peltas.
Good-Works fights Avarice (with pelta) in f.28v, Prudentius' Psychomachia, Corpus Christi College, Ms. 23, c.1000AD, Anglo-Saxon
So some are associated with a Virtue and others with a Vice.

Druzhina
9th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

I wouldn't say that p63 shows a couched lance, merely an underarm thrust.

A couched lance really should be held under the armpit so it is clamped to the body and delivers the force of man and horse. This one is not couched.
The armours in these illustrations look very much as though they are classical importations, not 9th century armour. I suggest that this is true for both the muscled cuirass with pteruges and the various helmet forms. The colourer gives us a clue to actual Carolingian armour by washing it in blue/grey, the colour of the mail coats that are the most likely form of protection.

link
But this one is couched. I find that interesting, because it is such an early example of a couched lance….

I think thats a good point GWA, though the open handed grip is a bit alarming.
The most beleivable representation is the Corbie Psalter one which appears to show a long sleeved mail shirt and a hebivalve hemet with a curved rim ,a button n the front and a front to back strap joining the valves.

I love that the Franks wore morions….