"Pennons for 11c Byzantine Cavalry" Topic

Looking around, I don't see much in the way of pennons for the Byzantine Heavies. Did they use them, or was that more of a European, Crusader type thing?

Looking around, I don't see much in the way of pennons for the Byzantine Heavies. Did they use them, or was that more of a European, Crusader type thing?

Of all the 11th century Byzantine Iconography I have collected, only this manuscript illustration has pennants on Byzantine lances.

Druzhina
Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

Thanks Druzhina! I'll go with bare lances then.

What figures are you using for your 11th Byzantine "Heavies"?

And thanks Druzhina! That is a great source.

From the Strategikon.
"We do not recommend carrying pennons on the lances during battle. For they are as useless in combat as they are valuable for presenting a fine appearance at inspections, sieges, or parades. For whether throwing or stabbing with the lance, the pennon reduces both accuracy and range, and when the shooting begins, it interferes with the fire of the archers in the rear ranks. Moreover, in charging, in retreating, in wheeling about, it is no slight inconvenience, and for this reason it should not be used in combat. It is possible, however, to keep both, the fine appearance of the battle line at a distance as well as utility. The pennons may be flown until the enemy is about a mile away, then they should be furled and put back into their cases"