Mamluk cavalry practices: Evolution and influence Item Type text; Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Nettles, Isolde Betty Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 04/10/2021 06:40:30 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/289748 INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this roproduction is dependent upon the quaiity of the copy submitted. 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ProQuest Informatkxi and Learning 300 l^orth Zeeb Road, Ann Art)or, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 MAMLUK CAVALRY PRACTICES: EVOLUTION AND INFLUENCE by Isolde Betty Nettles Copyright ® Isolde Betty Nettles 2001 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF NEAR EASTERN STUDIES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2 0 0 1 UMI Number: 3031423 Copyright 2001 by Nettles, Isolde Betty All rights reserved. (ft UMI UMI Microform 3031423 Copyright 2002 by Bell & Koweli Information and teaming Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Infonfnation and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA ® GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Final Examination Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by TsoTdp Rptty Npttlps entitled Mamluk Cavalry Pract.inP!;: Evniution and Tnflupnrp and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy !Z.OO / William J. Datfe U'J. I—Joo ) Adel S. Gamal^ . Date Lise H. Leiba^er Date n -jbi- AO 0 I Elizabeth C. Zegur4 ^ Date X\ tM' 2^). Jean F /,Goeti nek Date Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate's submission of the final copy of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement. (( /x! /o( Dissertation Director "Daw 3 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This Dissertation has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under the rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the copyright holder. SIGNED: 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My sincere appreciation to William Wilson for his sound advice and guidance over the many years we have worked together. I will forever be indebted to that "knight in shining armor" Adel Gamal, for his generous and steadfast support. Special recognition should go to Jean Goetinck for lending a sympathetic ear when it was most needed and to Lise Leibacher for her enormous patience. To Elizabeth Chesney-Zegura, I wish to say how much I appreciated having my days brightened with tales of lions, laoscics, renards, and hisclavarets . I am deeply obligated to Stephen Murray for years of service to my cause. I also wish to recognize an excellent role model for those of us who are faced with fighting really tough battles, Senzil Nawid. May I also say thank you to Shihab al-Sarraf, for assisting me in unraveling the many mysteries of furusiya . DEDICATIOM In memory cf John Gesell, an impelling instructor who will always remain a source of motivation in my francophile pursuits. Also, Co r^licite, the purr feet editor, who spent so much cime examining my work from a lap-cop perspecCive. Daphne's piccure is permanent *frig-arC'. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 9 ABSTRACT 10 PART ONE. FOUNDATIONS 11 1.1 Transcription, Dating System and Qur'Sn Quotation 11 1.2 Source Material for the Study of MamlQk Cavalry 13 1.2.1 Major Chroniclers 15 1.2.2 Arabic Military Literature 20 1.2.3 The Scope of FurUsTyah Literature 25 1.2.4 Illustrated Manuscripts: Furasfyah Guides and Related Cavalry Manuals 32 1.2.5 MamlClk Military Paraphernalia Preservation 37 FART TWO. MAMLUK ORIGINS AND ORGANIZATION 38 2.1 Fundamentals of MamlOk Organization 38 2.1.1 The Inherited Institution 38 2.1.2 The Sultan's Support of the Cavalry Institution 47 2.1.3 Maydan Construction 49 2.1.4 Symbols of Exclusivity 50 2.2 Changing Fortunes 55 2.2.1 Enemy Encounters (1096-1517) 56 2.2.1.1 The Crusaders 56 2.2.1.2 The Mongols 65 2.2.1.3 The Enemy Within 70 2.2.1.3.1 Factions 70 2.2.1.3.2 The Black Death and Cavalry Atrophy 71 2.3 Distracting Pastimes 76 2.3.1 MaydSn Activities 77 2.3.2 The Chase 79 2.3.3 Parading Through the Streets 80 2.3.4 Shopping the Sags and Khans 81 2.4 Facing Facts 38 2.4.1 Ottoman Takeover 88 2.4.2 French Occupation 90 PART THREE. SHARED INFORMATION 93 3.1 Assimilation of Horsemanship Skills 93 3.1.1 The Gh&zl Tradition 93 3.1.1.1 Ancient Origins 95 3.1.1.2 Bedouin Breeders 95 3.1.1.3 The Horse of the Arabs 98 3.1.1.3.1 The Emphasis on Genealogy 99 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 3.1.1.3.2 The Prophet's Vision 101 3.1.1.3.3 Breeds Incorporated into the MamlGk Cavalry 102 3.1.1.3.4 Post-MamlQk Breed Preservation Efforts 104 3.1.2 Byzantine Influence 110 3.1.2.1 Borrowed Roman Tactics 110 3.1.2.2 Arabic Translation from the Greek 116 3.1.2.3 Roman Cavalry Training 120 3.1.2.4 Hippika Gymnasia 121 3.1.2.4 Chariot Racing's Bequeathal 122 3.1.3 Turkic-Mongol Contribution 125 3.1.3.1 Buzkhashl : A Game of Daring And Skill 126 3.1.3.2 Oriental Archery on Horseback 13 0 3.1.4 Persian Equestrian Arts 131 3.1.4.1 Polo 131 3.1.4.2 The Hunt 134 PART FOUR. MAMLUK COMBAT PRACTICE 134 4.1 The Great Riding Masters 134 4.2 Training Horse and Rider 138 4.2.1 Lance Prowess: BunOd Exercises 140 4.2.2 Sword-Play 142 4.2.3 Archery 143 4.2.4 Pursuit Games: MupSrada 145 4.2 5 Furuslyah Exercises 148 4.2.6 Applied Tacdca 148 4.3 Public Exhibitions 150 4.3.1 Maydanl Drill Teams 150 4.3.2 Procession Demonstrations 152 4.4 Royal Sport 154 4.4.1 Hunting 154 4.4.2 Polo 155 4.4 3 Horse Races: 159 4.5 Dangerous Riding 161 PART FIVE. EAST - WEST EXCHANGE 164 5.1 In Horses 164 5.1.1 Acquisition Alternatives 164 5.1.1.1 Love Thine Enemy's Horse: 164 5.1.1.1.1 Booty 165 5.1.1.1.2 Royal Gifts 167 5.1.2 Trade Avenues 169 5.1.2.1 Local Suppliers 169 5.1.2.2 Crusader Trade Facilitation 170 5.1.2.3 Shipping Horses 174 8 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 5.2 In Ideas 178 5.2.1 Staying Abreast of the Other 178 5.2.2 Crusader Meets Muslim Horseman 179 5.2.2.1 Advanced Weaponry 184 5.2.2.2 Horse Tack 188 5.2.2.3 Defensive Armour 190 5.2.3 Medieval Knights 195 5.2.3.1 The Cavalier Ethic 196 5.2.3.1.1 Muru'ah and Futuwwa 196 5.2.3.1.2 Chevalerie 197 5.2.3.2 The Lance Game 200 5.2.3.2.1 Birjas 200 5.2.3.2.2 Joute 201 5.2.4 The French Connection 207 5.2.4.1 The Practice Arena 209 5.2.4.1.1 Manege and Maydin 209 5.2.4.2 ^orsemanship 210 5.2.'4.2.1 FurUsIyah Exercises and Dressagre 210 PART SIX. THE MAMLUK LEGACY 211 6.1 Egypt: Vestiges of an Art Found in Rags al-Khayl 212 6.1.1 Desired Traits in a Dancing Horse 213 6.1.2 Horse Dance and Breed Standards 215 6.1.3 Management of the Sport 216 6.1.4 Judging Contestants 217 6.1.4.1 Compulsory Movements 217 6.1.4.2 The Scoring System 218 6.1.4.3 Proper Attire 219 6.1.4.4 A Sequence of Mandatory Exercises 220 6.2 France: Haute Ecole 223 6.2.1 Post-MamlQk European Masters of the Horse 224 6.2.1.1 Military Schools 229 6.2.2 Dressage 237 6.2.2.1 The Dressage Horse Qualifications 239 6.2.2.2 Competition Requirements 243 6.2.2.3 Judging 247 PART SEVEN: THEORETICAL DIFFICULTIES 250 APPENDICES 256 Appendix A: Crusades Chronology 256 Appendix B: Glossary of Terms 259 WORKS CITED 275 9 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS FIGURE 2.1.a The Mamltik Line of Succession 40 FIGURE 2.1.b The Mamltik Chain of Comitiand 45 FIGURE 2.1.