CHAP. I V.J 



FEUDAL CAVALRY. 



137 



le 

 )n 



against sudden inroads of barbarian horse. He desired 

 that the garrisons of these towns should supply him 

 with a force that he could take to the field independently 

 of the feudal lords, whose power had been ra^>idly in- 

 creasing and was becoming excessive. The garrisons 

 were composed of ancient freemen, who had originally 

 formed the arrl^re-han, but had become vassals of feudal 

 chiefs. By the new organisation they were secured their 

 freedom, and they at once became a powerful support to 

 the throne. They were trained carefully to fight in close 

 ranks, whose solid masses were specially designed to 

 resist the furious charge of the Hungarian horse. Thus 

 the cities were made to furnish a well-disciplined body 

 of free-born infantry. 



To supply a force of cavalry, Henry had recourse 

 naturally to the feudal aristocracy. He was well aware 

 of the loss of power caused by the disorderly and 

 irregular manner in which the dukes, grafs, and other 

 chiefs, displaying their own banners and followed by their 

 bands of vassals, rushed to the attack in daring but 

 tumultuous rivalry. 



In dealing with proud nobles impatient of restraint, 

 ignorant of discipline, and strangers to obedience, it was 

 necessary for the emperor to devise some scheme flatter- 

 ing to their pride, and appealing to their chivalrous 

 notions of honour which would induce them willingly 

 and cheerfully to bestow the time and trouble necessary 

 to train them to fight in close ranks. He well knew 

 that it was by strict discipline and skilful manoeuvres 

 alone, that the Hungarian horsemen could be met with 

 success. 



Henry is said to have established a chivalric institu- 

 tion, giving rise to new manners and a new enthusiasm 

 which produced very marked results. The tournament, 

 according to some German writers, was instituted by him, 

 in which the knights carried on every species of warlike 

 drill and exercise, making trials of skill in pairs and by 

 troops, in presence of the ladies whose glances were 

 supposed to incite the knights to the greatest efibrts. 

 Banquets and dances being the sequel to the harder 



