Ghulam cavalry

[yorkie]

Hi all,

Im a bit confused with Muslim heavy cavalry. Ghulams, were they equipped with both lances and bows, or is it one or the other? The models i have are either firing bows, or carrying lances, with their bows strapped to them. Im trying to sort out the units, do i mix the models up...?

Eagerly awaiting the new army book, which im hoping will answer the question!

Cheers
Steve

[Bishop Lord]

Hello Steve,

According to Armies and enemies of the Crusades by Ian Heath, Islamic cavalry throughout the Crusading period used both lance and bow,either together or on its own spear/lance armed or just bow armed. Although there is one source that says they carried both but discarded one or the other prior to the battle. Id go for units with troops armed the same IE a unit of lance and bow or just bow or just lance if you get my meaning as I did with the cav we fought with in the Hail Caesar La Navas de tolosa game a while back.
Hope that makes sense its been a long day and its only 2.20 in the afternoon Im also looking forward to the new army list book

Jason

[yorkie]

Hi Jason,

Thanks for the reply, im struggling with these....I have all the miniatures for 6 units worth, but with mixed weapons, ie lance and bow. The models with lances have bows on their saddles or on their backs, so i think its mixed.

But not sure....lol

Steve.

[janner]

Ghulams, like the Byzantine Heavy Horse, carried both a lance and a bow. It was quite normal practice in the Near East.

The easiest thing is to have lance armed cavalry with quivers and bow cases. As you have both then I suggest putting the bows in the second rank.

Regards,

[yorkie]

Thanks, its as i thought really, i just needed confirmation before i started...

Thanks chaps.

Steve.