132 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period II. 



The Saracens proper, of Arabian origin, in their military 

 customs were very similar to the Turks. They fought 

 principally as cavalry, the infantry of their armies being 

 composed of Ethiopians, who were armed with large 

 bows. Their cavnJry were somewhat more heavUy armed 

 than the Turkish, as they wore casques, cuirasses, boots, 

 gauntlets, and other defences, which had been in use 

 among the Romans. They were much given to embellish- 

 ing their girdles, and the bits of their horses, with silver 

 ornaments. 



They fought more steadily than the Turks or Huns, 

 and used the lance, the sword, the battle-axe, and the 

 bow. Sometimes, in hurried marches, they took up their 

 infantry " en croupe " for short distances. They protected 

 their camps with defences, and posted numerous guards 

 during the night. 



They formed their order of battle in an oblong or 

 square, and awaited the attack. After the first shock they 

 fought at close quarters with great vigour. Their marches 

 were often made in a hollow square formation, so that at 

 once upon attack they could assume their usual line of 

 battle. 



The Turks were Very averse to come to close quarters 

 with a steady infantry that directed its attention to 

 killing their horses ; nor did they willingly face well- 

 drilled cavalry in a level plain, if the cavalry were com- 

 pact and in good order. The Arabs were not accustomed 

 to fight on foot, and when they attempted it generally 

 suffered heavy losses. 



At this epoch the Franks, by which term the inhabit- 

 ants of Western Europe are included, were a brave and 

 hardy race of soldiers. Their infantry and cavaby were 

 both accustomed to fight hand in hand. Their cavalry 

 were armed with bucklers, lances, and very long swords, 

 suspended to shoulder-belts, although some wore them 

 on waist-belts. They formed for action by tribes and 

 families, and not in turmse, as had been the custom 

 among the Romans. Sometimes they were banded to- 

 gether in companies or confraternities, although by this 

 time the feudal system of ranging the troops under their 



