ARMS AND EQUIPMENT While heavy troops equipped with a mail hauberk and metal helmets were common in other parts of Europe at this time, such troops were rare -- though not unknown -- in Spain. More typical was armor of leather, both hardened and soft, while arresting of quilt and scale also was seen. Like hauberks, iron helmets were uncommon and expensive. Here again, leather often was used in place of metal. Mail coifs were popular, however, and ventails could be left hanging free on the chest or tied up to protect the lower part of the face. Spanish and Andalusian knights tended to decorate their arms and armor to a greater extent than many other nationalities did. Armor often was gilded and helmets and swords could be inlaid. Much of this probably reflected the artistry of Andalusia, but was popular throughout the peninsula. Still, the majority of soldiers were of lighter variety and remained unarmored, their equipment consisting simply of weapon and, perhaps, shield. As noted above, knightly weapons would consist of lances, swords, maces and axes, while such heavier infantry as were employed generally were armed with spears and shields. Lighter troops would carry a variety of weapons depending on their combat function, but swords were few. Troops used for light infantry work would carry javelins, either in addition to a spear or in place of it. Such skirmishers might or might not bear shields. Missile infantry would be armed with their particular weapon, be it bow, crossbow or sling. Few, if any, including crossbowmen,would wear armor. As with the javelin infantry, slingers might or might not be equipped with a shield. Slinger shields, if used, would be of the smaller, circular type. Larger, round shields were prevalent among the heavier troops, but kite­shapcd shields, smaller than those used by the Norman s, also were put to use. Round shields often were decorated with a number of horsehair tassels, which could be colored. All in all, arms and equipment of the Spanish Christians and Andalusians were generally similar. Differences in appearance would stem from differences in other aspects of dress, in decoration and in coloring. Almoravids Of course, the Almoravids had their own distinguishing features that set them apart from Iberian troops. Berber infantry generally were spearmen or archer's, but some carried javelins and small shields. Other shield-carrying Berbers might sport a larger version, of an unusual, elongated-diamond pattern with the tops and bottoms squared off. Black African infantry carried spears, at least some of bamboo brightly decorated, circular, hippopotamus-hide shields and perhaps fight swords. They would be lightly clothed, while Berbers would wear the more typically Arab costume of robes and turbans. Turbans, incidentally, were not fashionable among Andalusians at this time. Mounted Berbers would be armed with a fight lance, javelins and sword and a hippo hide shield. Some may have carried bows. Camel riders could be equipped similarly, but might also carry a long lance or two-handed swords. Few of the Almoravid troops appear to have been armored, with the exception of nobles. A notably common Almoravid characteristic was the wearing of face veils. COLORING Mention already has been made of the various forms of armor worn by a minority of soldiers during the period under consideration. This could be the standard steel or bronze, as well as quilted or leather, metal armor sometimes being gilded. Weapons and certain items, such as helmets, might be inlaid as well. A few additional words will suffice to outline the coloring of other early medieval dress in the Iberian peninsula. To a great extent, coloring was a function of social status. In the Christian states, especially, brighter colors tended to be used by the wealthier classes and duller shades were worn by the lower classes. Preferred colors would be much the same as elsewhere in Europe. Brighter hues would include red, yellow, blues and greens. The more somber shades would include the cream color of unbleached wool, the grays of linen and some greens and browns. Andalusian dress is described as quite colorful, even more so than in the north. Reds, yellows, blues and whites, much of it in pastels, saw heavy use. Leaders often would wear gold embroidery. There was widespread use of a red, floppy-type cap. Brightly colored cloaks were considered the mark of the Iberian military class, but such cloaks were generally removed before battle. The Almoravids tended toward much use of black in their dress. They wore black topcoats, cloaks and turbans, in addition to their black face veils. Leaders would decorate their clothing with geometrically patterned bands and polygonal designs. Shield covers would be bright, too. Iberian shields were principally colored red and light blue, but other bright colors also would be used. Christian shield designs would be simple, while Andalusian designs would be more ornate. Heraldry as such had not yet come into existence. A final note, Andalusians were of mixed racial origins and were not strictly Arabic. Black, red or even yellow hair are depicted in medieval Andalusian art. More El Cid Introduction Early Spain and the Career of El Cid Arms and Equipment and Coloring Military Forces, Organization, and Tactics Wargaming, Lists, and Bibliography Back to Table of Contents -- Courier #60 To Courier List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1993 by The Courier Publishing Company. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com