CHAP. 



VI.] 



THE CRUSADES. 



181 



430. 



The Normans had improved the military art among 

 the Sclavonians or Russians. They formerly fought in 

 irregular groups, as the ancient Scythians, but under 

 Norman influence tactical divisions were made, and 

 columns were ranged in order, with flags or standards to 

 each body. Trumpets were used to give signals for 

 movements, and to encourage them in the advance. 

 Their attacks were made in battalions with serried ranks. 

 They had an efficient force of cavalry, partly composed 

 of foreign mercenaries, and partly of natives of the 

 country. The use of advanced guards to cover the 

 march of the army was well understood and regularly 

 adopted, so that their armies moved secure from surprise.^ 

 The troops were constantly drilled and exercised in the 

 open field, both in sham fights and in the regular 

 manoeuvres required in battle. 



The defensive arms in use among the Russians at this 

 epoch were cuirasses, arm-pieces, or brassards, and large 

 helmets. A lance or pike, bows and arrows, and a two- 

 edged sword, were the offensive weapons. The tactical 

 divisions were each one thousand strong, under the com- 

 mand of an officer called " Tissiatchsky."^ These batta- 

 lions were subdivided into ten companies of one hundred 

 each, commanded by centeniers, which were also divided 

 into ten sections of ten men each, commanded by 

 " deciatsky." A special corps of chosen men formed 

 the guard of the prince, and were charged to defend 

 his life, and set an example of valour to the rest of 

 the army. The prince commanded the whole army, 

 and under him, but over the " Tissiatchsky," were the 

 " voievodes," who commanded the brigades or divisions. 

 The Varegues formed a separate corps, and in addition 

 to the right, which belonged to all the troops, of a share 

 in the booty, they were accustomed to receive a regular 

 pay.' 



The archers generally commenced the action. The 



soldiers did not put on the cuirass until the moment 



they were going into action, for, to relieve the men, the 



armour was carried upon chariots. The enemy often 



' Kammsin, i. 298, 2 ibid. i. 299. » Ibid, i: 300. 



