We have a few remarks from Byzantine observers that imply "Franksish" crusaders ride in such close formations "that an apple tossed amongst them would not hit the ground", and some evidence of the military orders enforcing march discipline and what COULD be basic drill.

Other than that, I'm not aware of anything.

Anybody else have any information I'm not aware of?

If not, how much should we reconstruct as "self-evidently necessary" - a term that always makes me worry - for shock cavalry to work effectively?

The ordinance of St. Maximen of Treves (Oct. 1473) clearly proscribes regular drill for the cavalry of ordinance companys , both armoured, half armoured, and unarmoured, and specifies what is to be practised (withstanding a charge, charging, regrouping, and rallying).

That the proscribed drill must have been actually practised is borne out by the course of events of the Battle of Neuss, where the Bugundian cavalry charged, regrouped, and charged again on three occasions, despite being hard pressed by numericaly superior Imperial forces, combined infantry and cavalry, and under a artillery bombardment.

Also the course of events of Grandson, where the Burgundian cavalry made some fairly intricate manouvers - unfortunately falling apart due to command and control issues between different elements of the army - endemic with the multi-national composition of the Burgundian army.

[ 02-07-2002: Message edited by: chef de chambre ]

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Are you aware of any earlier evidence - I'd really like to get some early medieval data, but I'm not aware of any.