Militaristic observations (8)

[arpad]

Hans Delbruck measured knight’s equipment cost in times of Charlemagne as

 
Helmet                   =  6 cows
Coat of mail             = 12 cows
Sword and scabbard       =  7 cows
Leg grieves		 =  6 cows 
Lance and Shield         =  2 cows
Battle steed             = 12 cows

The equipment of a single warrior therefore had the value of 45 cows or, since 3 cows were considered the equivalent of a mare, 15 mares – the large domestic animals of a whole village.

In addition there was the supply of rations, the cart with its draft animal or a pack animal to carry the provisions, and the serving man to take care of the animal.

***

Do you still wonder why knights become professionals?

Comments

[recycling.livejournal.com]

The way I've always heard it is, a man just couldn't decide one day he was going to be a knight. As you outlined, it's too expensive for a serf to be able to get started, let alone maintain the weapons, horses and equipment..so he had to gain favor with a regional lord. It was sort of a sponsorship, but sort of a symbiotic relationship also. The lord paid for the knight's upkeep for him to do what he wants, while the knight went out and kicked ass for the lord, when the lord needed it. :)