Equites Gloriae

11/08/2026

Photo dump from the weekend, captured by iduna sundarp 📸

The second edition of Fältslag & Tältläger is done, and we can all breathe out for a moment.

There is quite a bit of work involved in turning a horse paddock into a medieval camp, with as few traces of modern life as possible. This year we had a somewhat larger organising team, and with financial support from the region, we were able to make the event even better.

Participants travelled from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, England, the Netherlands and Poland to gather on a secluded field in the Halland countryside. We had slightly fewer horses than last year due to late cancellations, but still a fine little cavalry force of brave horses.

The idea behind this event was born from a desire to create a more horse friendly form of reenactment. Surely it must be possible to get closer to the real thing without compromising modern knowledge of equine behaviour and welfare?

But that raises another question: how do you make the fighting engaging for both infantry and cavalry?

Striking a horse or rider is simply too risky: the potential for injury or frightening the horses is too high. So we came up with the idea of poisoned sweets.

What if infantry were armed with carrots, and could “kill” a horse by successfully feeding it one? Can the rider take out the foot soldier before he gets close enough?

Suddenly, infantry has a genuine way of taking down cavalry, while the horse has an increased motivation to seek out close contact.

We in the cavalry thought this was a hit – not least our horses. The feedback from participants on foot has been positive as well. Quite ingenious, if we may say so ourselves, and definitely worth refining further.

Another much loved part of the programme is the woodland fighting. Directly beyond the camp lies a beautiful, almost enchanted forest, seemingly made for tactical and suitably violent encounters.

Finally, thank you to every participant who helped create such a fantastic atmosphere. Fältslag & Tältläger will return. Keep an eye out for updates.

12/08/2025

Forget what you think you know about medieval warhorses. There were no breeds in the modern sense – horses were judged by purpose and birthplace, not pedigree. The four types most commonly mentioned in medieval records are Rouncey, Courser, Palfrey, and Destrier. And while illustrations may show similar shapes, these types served very different roles. The destrier was the rarest and most prestigious of them all; the Great Horse of tournaments, battles, and knightly duels. Contrary to modern myth, “great” didn’t mean enormous. It meant excellent – strong, highly trained, and chosen for quality, not size. Most medieval warhorses stood around 14–15 hands (142–152 cm), with a few exceptional individuals reaching 16 hands. Nearly always stallions, destriers were trained for war and tournaments. Capable of sudden turns, powerful charges, and complete control in chaos. They were described “smashing into the battle lines biting and kicking”. Meet Absalon, a 17-year-old Pura Raza Española stallion – modern descendant of the Iberian horses so often prized in medieval warfare. Shown by his rider Joakim, he brings the mythic destrier vividly to life.

08/08/2025

In the medieval world, horses were named for their function and birthplace, not by breed as we know it today. There were no Friesians or Shires in the modern sense, but rather “horses from Friesland” or “great horses” of war. Medieval horses were more similar than different, and a palfrey could just as well give birth to a destrier. The four most common types mentioned in sources are Rouncey, Courser, Palfrey, and Destrier. The courser was a fast, agile warhorse used by knights in battle, and sometimes by nobles during hunts. Less expensive than the elite destrier but still highly valued, the courser’s name may stem from the French courre (to run) or the Italian corsiero (warhorse). Here we meet Jaquetão, a Portuguese Lusitano shown by his owner Norah. Lightly armoured and nimble, he represents the kind of mount a knight might choose for a fast and deadly strike on the battlefield.

05/08/2025

Are you keen on medieval camp life, armoured combat, cavalry riding, nature excursions and war games in historical clothing?

Then the “Fältslag & Tältläger” might be your thing. Taking place 7th – 9th of August, 2026 in the Swedish countryside, this event offers a wide range of activities for medieval reenactment enthusiasts.

Step back in time to the years 1370-1410 and experience life as a civilian, infantryman, archer or mounted soldier. Immerse yourself in medieval camp life, attend educational sessions, engage in combat practice, and join a march in the forest. Feel free to bring your horse or dog along for the adventure.

Frillesås, south of Gothenburg, Sweden. August 7th–9th, 2026. The event is high authenticity. For more information, join the FB group:

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Ew5XBFTin/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/08/2025

In the Middle Ages, horses weren’t divided by breed, but by function and origin. A horse born in Friesland was a “Friesian”, one from Andalusia an “Andalusian”, and so on. There were no studbooks or rigid breeding goals. A strong stallion was turned out with a group of mares, and if a foal wasn’t fit to ride, it might still make a good cart horse. Four main horse types are often mentioned in medieval sources: Rouncey, Courser, Palfrey, and Destrier - and they were more alike than we tend to think. Function mattered more than looks. The rouncey was the all-purpose workhorse; pulling carts, carrying heavy loads, working the fields, and going to war when needed. It was the cheapest type of horse, yet often among the fastest. Poorer knights, squires, and mounted archers rode rounceys, and even kings called for them when speed mattered more than grandeur. This is Nelson, a Welsh-born gentleman now living in Sweden, shown by his owner Rebecca. Notice his striking blue eye! With his height of just over 150 cm, Nelson is very representative of the average medieval horse. Together they show us what a rouncey might have looked like in the 14th century.

24/07/2025

02/05/2025

Jousting and training methods

When riding, a common way of understanding your aids is to “frame the horse” (I also use this method) but there is an important “but”. When you apply your aids it is important to release afterwards, not only to enhance the lightness, but also for conditioning. When working with pressure and release there are 3 important factors that will determine whether your horse finds your aids uncomfortable or not. 1) How, or if, you escalate your pressure, 2) If the horse is able to have influence and 3) If the horse knows that there is a way of avoiding the pressure.
When training for a joust I attempt to put the theory into practice. When you train your horse to canter against another horse it is very strange and demanding, and you need to show respect and take every step slowly. When you begin just walking against an opponent it is important that your horse feels free and that you let her/him walk/run on a loose rein and not hold her/him in place with forced aids. This is important for the horse to feel able to escape, and one should never correct or punish a horse that tries to escape by moving away from the opponent, but calmly place the horse back on the track and repeat the exercise in walk or trot until the horse feels comfortable again.
Whilst working as a jouster in 2014, Absalon unfortunately had a traumatic experience that made him scared during a joust and he didn’t want to continue jousting for a while afterwards. He regained his confidence by using the aforementioned method which exemplifies just how important it is for your horse to feel free and uncontrolled when you apply your aids.

̃ola

10/11/2024

“The Middle Ages were dirty, brown and miserable”.

|