Medieval horse training (11th to 15th century)

Principal investigator: Liam
Level: PhD level research

I am a student at the University of Exeter, doing a PhD on the subject of medieval horse training (11th to 15th century). I expect to complete my theses in 2023.

I am mostly studying manuscripts, such as the De Medicina Equorum written by Jordanus Rufus in 1250, but I would like to confront those written sources with archaeological evidence, especially metalwork such as bits and spurs from the same era.

This would allow to shift the study from a purely theoretical aspect to a more practical one, by determining if, for instance, the bits and bridles described in texts correspond to those that have been found, or by analysing how different types of equipment would have been used, to what effect.

Being able to research the tools used for horse-training would better enable me to understand the complexities of the methods used to that purpose in medieval Europe.

Referee: Prof. O. Creighton (University of Exeter)

Audit data

• Created: 4 years ago