ALMORAVID LIGHT CAVALRY

The Berber dynasty of the Almoravids was founded by Abdallah ibn Yasin in the mid-11th century and relatively quickly mastered large areas of today's Morocco and the southern part of today's Spain and Portugal. This dynasty ruled until the mid-12th century, and the last ruler of this family was Ishaq ibn Ali. Cavalry played a significant role in the army of the Almoravid dynasty - both on horseback and on camels. On the battlefield, it was most often positioned on the wings of its own army, and its role was to go out on the wings and rear of the enemy. The main offensive weapon was a spear, and in the case of light cavalry - also a javelin. As a side weapon, good quality one-handed swords, most often double-edged, were used. Round shields made primarily of wood and sometimes reinforced with iron were also used. The Almoravid cavalry used helmets relatively rarely. This cavalry was a very good tool on the battlefield, as evidenced by both the victory at Zalacą (1086) and - above all - Victoria at Fraga (nominative: Fraga) from 1134, when it even decimated the Aragonese troops.