248 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. [period hi. 



together, thither would he, and so behave himself with 

 his curtle-axe that he would separate their friendship." ^ 



Under the ordnances of the Emperor Charles V. there 

 were reckoned in a cornet 60 lancers heavily armed, 120 

 cuirassiers (or demi-cuirasses), who were armed with the 

 breastplate only, and 60 light horse, armed with long 

 arquebuses. This formed virtually a regiment consist- 

 ing of three troops or squadrons of different species of 

 cavalry. He also had the advantage of having in his 

 armies the national light cavalry of Spanish origin 

 already referred to, the genetaires, who, somewhat analo- 

 gous to the hussars of the kings of Hungary, became 

 the model Tor the creation of corps of light cavalry in 

 other nations.^ They were organised in escarres or 

 squadrons. Regiments were also organised in Spain 

 earlier than in other countries. 



In Hungary appeared the hussars, a light cavalry of 

 a very formidable character. They were at first a species 

 of militia, or arriere-ban, being instituted about the 

 middle of the fifteenth century, by an ordnance which 

 obliged every twentieth man to take the field. These 

 horsemen were called " hussars " from the Hungarian 

 huss, which means the twentieth, and ar, pay.^ Pere 

 Daniel describes their armament, and from him we learn 

 that they used large swords, either straight or curved, 

 and worn on the waist, while some of them carried 

 long, straight, thin swords, intended mainly for thrust- 

 ing. Their movements at this time were very irregular, 

 and consisted mainly of skirmishing in loose swarms 

 around the enemy. They managed their horses very 

 skilfully. Their saddles were of very light wood, and 

 placed upon blankets folded. Over the saddles were 

 worn skins, with the fleece outwards, which covered the 

 pistols and housings. The horses were ridden with 

 bridoons instead of bits, so that they could pasture at 

 the shortest halt without unbridling. These troups 

 were well suited for foraging, reconnoitring, and out- 

 post service. They have been maintained down to the 



t* ; 



' Stowe's Annals, folio edition of 1615, p. 736. 

 « Beamish, 323. 



2 Bardin, 3485. 



