218 THE KING'S MIRROR 



gear, including a durable surcingle across the middle 

 and a breast strap in front.* The horse should be pro- 

 tected in such a way both in front of the saddle and be- 

 hind it that he will not be exposed to weapons, spear 

 thrust or stroke, or any other form of attack. He should 

 also have a good shabrack f made like a gambison of 

 soft and thoroughly blackened linen cloth, for this is a 

 good protection against all kinds of weapons. It may be 

 decorated as one likes, and over the shabrack there 

 should be a good harness of mail. With this equipment 

 every part of the horse should be covered, head, loins, 

 breast, belly, and the entire beast, so that no man, even if 

 on foot, shall be able to reach him with deadly weapons. 

 The horse should have a strong bridle, one that can be 

 gripped firmly and used to rein him in or throw him when 

 necessary. Over the bridle and about the entire head of 

 the horse and around the neck back to the saddle, there 

 should be a harness made like a gambison of firm linen 

 cloth, so that no man shall be able to take away the 

 bridle or the horse by stealth. t 



* In the thirteenth century the saddle was made with high bows before and 

 behind so as to provide a firmer seat for the rider. The surcingle was a girth 

 drawn over the saddle; the breast strap served to keep the saddle from slip- 

 ping backwards. Aarboger for nor disk Oldkyndighed, 91. 

 f Kovertur, from medieval French couverture. But the couverture was not a 

 covering worn underneath, the mail; it was probably the mail itself or an 

 outer covering for the horse. See Falk, Altnordische Waffenkunde, 191. 

 J Falk believes that this description is in some respects inaccurate. No such 

 elaborate equipment could have been used in the North where cavalry was 

 not an important part of the host in the thirteenth century. He also doubts 

 that an equipment just like the one described was in use anywhere in Europe 

 at the time. Ibid., 190-191. The medieval couverture was not placed beneath 

 the covering of mail as the Speculum Regale states; and Falk can see no 

 reason why a gambison placed beneath the mail should be ornamented. 

 It seems clear that the author is somewhat confused as to these various 

 coverings. 



