The Horse in Premodern European Culture

This volume provides a unique starting point for anyone who wants to learn about the most topical issues, advances, and challenges in medieval horse history. Medievalists who have a long-standing interest in horse history, as well as those seeking to widen their understanding of horses in medieval society will find here informed and comprehensive treatment of chapters from disciplines as diverse as archaeology, legal, economic and military history, urban and rural history, art and literature. The themes range from case studies of saddles and bridles, to hippiatric treatises, to the medieval origins of dressage literary studies. It shows the ubiquitous - and often ambiguous - role of the horse in medieval culture, where it was simultaneously a treasured animal and a means of transport, a military machine and a loyal companion. The contributors, many of whom have practical knowledge of horses, are drawn from established and budding scholars working in their areas of expertise. Anastasija Ropa is a guest lecturer at the Latvian Academy of Sport Education and affiliated researcher at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Latvia. She has presented at international conferences and published on human and animal relations in medieval literature and illumination. Timothy Dawson is an independent scholar based at Leeds. He holds a doctoral degree from the University of New England on the dress and regalia in medieval Byzantium. He has published on martial culture and its materiality in Europe and Byzantium.