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The arms and equipment of cavalry
troopers of both sides during the civil war were more or less identical.
Most cavalrymen were equipped with armour consisting of breast and back
plate worn over a ‘buff’ coat of heavy hide. In this instance a sleeveless
version. Many troopers were also equipped with a ‘pot’ helmet with cheek
guards, neck guard and peak with three bar defence for the face (See
illustration of Parliamentary horseman).
This particular ‘Cavalier’, perhaps a
trooper of Prince Rupert, wears no helmet, instead bears a broad brimmed,
plumed hat, perhaps with a steel skullcap or ‘secrete’ beneath as some
protection for the head. As was common, this trooper is armed with two
pistols, carried in holsters on the saddle, in this instance wheel lock
weapons, the spanner required for winding the mechanism is slung around
his body. Some troopers were also issued with a carbine.
This man represents many of the
cavalry of both parties in the war and could be only distinguished as a
supporter of the King by his red sash. Most cavalry were equipped and
dressed in this way, although early in the war a few units were equipped
in full armour and fought as heavy cavalry and were commonly known as
‘lobsters’ due to their armoured shells.
Initially in the war the Royalist
Horse under the dashing Prince Rupert outclassed their parliamentary
opponents despite their lack of discipline, however as the war progressed
the cavalry of the New Model Army proved more than a match for the
Royalist Horse.
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