[263]. In the thirteenth century the saddle was made with high bows before and behind so as to provide a firmer seat for the rider. The surcingle was a girth drawn over the saddle; the breast strap served to keep the saddle from slipping backwards. Aarböger for nordisk Oldkyndighed, 91.
[264]. Kovertur, from medieval French couverture. But the couverture was not a covering worn underneath the mail; it was probably the mail itself or an outer covering for the horse. See Falk, Altnordische Waffenkunde, 191.
[265]. Falk believes that this description is in some respects inaccurate. No such elaborate equipment could have been used in the North where cavalry was not an important part of the host in the thirteenth century. He also doubts that an equipment just like the one described was in use anywhere in Europe at the time. Ibid., 190-191. The medieval couverture was not placed beneath the covering of mail as the Speculum Regale states; and Falk can see no reason why a gambison placed beneath the mail should be ornamented. It seems clear that the author is somewhat confused as to these various coverings.
[266]. The mail hose were made of chain mail. Aarböger for nordisk Oldkyndighed, 1867, 73-74.
[267]. The kneepieces, or genouillères were pieces of armor worn to protect the knees.
[268]. Blom thinks that the breastplate was a new thing in the thirteenth century (ibid., 76), but Falk believes that it was used quite generally (Altnordische Waffenkunde, 182).
[269]. The dirk (brynknifr) was probably a poniard-like weapon used to pierce the chain mail at the joints. Falk, Altnordische Waffenkunde, 124.
[270]. The helmet with the visor appears in the illustrations of the closing years of the twelfth century; the earlier helmet was a steel cap with a nose guard. Aarböger for nordisk Oldkyndighed, 83-84.
[271]. Little seems to be known about the hornbow. Captain Blom finds it mentioned in the Latin sources as balista cornea or balista cum cornu. Aarböger for nordisk Oldkyndighed, 1867, 100-101. Falk believes that it was a bow which was reinforced on the inner side with horn. Altnordische Waffenkunde, 91-92.
[272]. The trebucket (French trébuchet) was a siege engine which came into use in the twelfth century; it was worked by counterpoises. For a description see Oman, Art of War, 143-144; Aarböger for nordisk Oldkyndighed, 1867, 103-104; Falk, Altnordische Waffenkunde, 193-194.