ABSTRACT
The Frankish forces are not stated to be horsemen, but there is nonetheless good reason to presume that this was another example of a battle won by a cavalry charge, considering four things. A small force sent deep into enemy territory would be composed entirely of mounted men, and indeed of elite, armoured cavalry men. That men with horses who are accustomed to charge as their usual way of fighting are more likely than not to have done so on horseback, since rapid charges by infantry at the start of a battle normally create disorder and lead to defeat. Then only a force attacking on horseback is likely to pursue so effectively as to allow few enemies to escape alive, especially when the pursuers are few in number and the fugitives are on their own home ground. In fact, a good case could be made that shock cavalry most likely was the decisive arm of the Carolingian military.
