Carolingian Cavalryman, 850

The Carolingian Empire was the largest empire in Central and Western Europe during the early Middle Ages. Charlemagne, who belonged to the dynasty of the former kings of the Franks, was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III in an effort to revive the Western Roman Empire. After the Golden Age of Charlemagne’s reign, the empire suffered several civil wars (840-843) and finally got divided into different kingdoms.

The Empire’s geographical position implied that war with the neighboring lands was a constant thing. At its frontiers were located quite a few nations of varying power. From the Southern frontier with the powerful Caliphate of Cordoba to the Slavs or the lands of the Vikings, the continued struggle for conquest and survival forged a powerful military machine.

The revolution came in the form of new siege forms and machines and an important development of the cavalry. By the end of the VIII century, they adopted the stirrup, which allowed the development of the shock cavalry armed with long lances that transformed the armies of the period.

Our miniature is one of those Carolingian cavalrymen armed with a lance, sword, and shield. It also wears the characteristic helmet associated with these troops that we know thanks to the Bible of Charles the Bald, a surviving Bible from the era.

Note: This is a resin miniature kit that requires assembly and painting.