Cavalry tactics

Definition

Cavalry tactics refer to military strategies and techniques employed by mounted troops, particularly in the context of battlefield maneuvers during the medieval period. These tactics were essential during the Hundred Years' War as they allowed for rapid movement, flanking maneuvers, and effective engagement against infantry and other forces. The use of cavalry significantly influenced the outcomes of battles, shaping military doctrine and practices throughout the conflict.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cavalry units played a crucial role in the early phases of the Hundred Years' War, where their speed and mobility provided significant advantages over slower infantry formations.
2. The famous English longbowmen, though primarily infantry, could effectively counter cavalry charges with their rapid-fire arrows, which began to change how cavalry was deployed.
3. Cavalry tactics evolved throughout the war as commanders learned to adapt their strategies to counter new developments, such as improved infantry weaponry and formations.
4. The decline of traditional cavalry dominance in battle during the latter stages of the Hundred Years' War marked a shift toward more integrated tactics that included infantry and ranged units working together.
5. Cavalry charges were often used as shock tactics to break enemy lines, but their effectiveness varied depending on terrain and the type of opposing forces encountered.

Review Questions

• How did cavalry tactics influence the outcomes of battles during the Hundred Years' War?
  • Cavalry tactics greatly influenced battle outcomes by allowing for quick flanking movements and rapid strikes against enemy formations. The ability to maneuver swiftly on horseback meant that cavalry could exploit weaknesses in enemy lines and disrupt their formations. However, as infantry tactics improved, particularly with the use of longbows, the effectiveness of traditional cavalry charges began to diminish, leading commanders to adapt their strategies.
• Evaluate how advancements in infantry technology impacted the effectiveness of cavalry tactics throughout the Hundred Years' War.
  • Advancements in infantry technology, particularly the introduction of longbows and pikes, significantly impacted cavalry tactics. Longbowmen were able to inflict heavy casualties on charging cavalry from a distance, leading to a reevaluation of cavalry's role in battle. The emergence of well-trained infantry equipped with polearms made it increasingly difficult for cavalry to execute successful charges without incurring substantial losses, thus forcing commanders to rethink traditional cavalry strategies.
• Assess the long-term implications of changing cavalry tactics for European warfare after the Hundred Years' War.
  • The changing nature of cavalry tactics during and after the Hundred Years' War had profound implications for European warfare. As armies began to rely more on combined arms approaches that integrated infantry and artillery with less emphasis on cavalry alone, military doctrines evolved significantly. This shift led to a transformation in how battles were fought, moving toward more coordinated strategies that utilized diverse troop types effectively, ultimately influencing military tactics well into the Renaissance period and beyond.

Related terms

Knights: Mounted warriors of the medieval period, often heavily armored and serving as elite cavalry forces in battles.

Chivalry:

A code of conduct associated with the medieval institution of knighthood that emphasized bravery, honor, and respect for women and the weak.

Infantry: Soldiers who fight on foot, typically forming the backbone of medieval armies and often facing cavalry units in battle.