Detail of jousting saddle, about 1400, VI.94. Royal Armouries, CC BY 4.0

 

This saddle is designed for a tournament event called the Hohenzeuggestech, a type of joust that was popular in German-speaking lands in the late-14th century. The aim of the Hohenzeuggestech was to break the lance against the opponent rather than unhorse them. The saddle is therefore designed to raise the rider into an almost standing position in the stirrups, making it much harder to be knocked off the horse. The legs and lower torso are all protected by the saddle's long pommel shield. Although we can't be certain how the saddle was marked, the scars across its surface were probably made during its life as a tournament saddle.

 

This image is part of our Up Close online exhibition, which was made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to use digital to enable our audiences to explore our collection in new and exciting ways.