46 The History of the Spur 



preserved in our various museums and collections, were not 

 actually worn, but were carried in front of their owners in 

 processions, and on state occasions, and so forth. But I think 

 there is abundant evidence to prove that these spurs, inconvenient 

 as they must have been, were worn by mounted men, and 

 used in actual warfare. 



The long, straight neck gave way to a shorter neck, generally 

 but little longer than was required for the rowel-box, and the 

 neck was turned downwards. There was a reason for this. 

 If these spurs with their curved necks had been worn with 

 the curve directed upwards, the centre of the rowel would have 

 been some three inches higher than the wearer's ankle-bone, and 

 the upper points of the huge rowel would have been three or four 

 inches higher than the centre, and so would have been nearly 

 on a level with the calf of the rider's leg. No human being 

 in that case could have kept his spurs out of his horse's side, 

 especially if the animal was at all restive. But turn the curve 

 downwards, and the upper part of the rowel is about on a 

 level with the rider's foot, and he could use his spurs or not 

 as he liked. Also in all such spurs, and such illustrations of 

 spurs as I have seen, the decoration is invariably on the 

 convex surface of the curve. This, when the spur is worn 

 curving downwards, brings the decoration on the upper surface, 

 where it can be seen. I have dwelt upon this point because 

 I have observed a general tendency to represent these spurs 

 with the necks curving upwards, and consequently with the 

 ornamentation on the under side. This, I feel sure, could not 

 have been the case. But, if it was easier to ride with these 



