ABSTRACT
n the early thirteenth century there were a number of battles, some of which had far-reaching consequences. In 1212, the Spanish Christians defeated the Almohads at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, opening the way for Christian domination of the entire Iberian Peninsula. The wars of Edward I in Wales and Scotland displayed a much more considered approach to warfare. Edward could rely on a competent and brave cavalry and his enemies rightly feared it, for neither the Welsh nor the Scots could raise such a force. The ascendancy of cavalry, which can be seen in English field-warfare in the thirteenth century, was never absolute. Almost everywhere, heavy cavalry dictated the terms of war, although not the outcome. They were most effective when supported by other arms. The thirteenth century was truly the age of cavalry. This does not mean that they enjoyed an uncontested supremacy but that it was clearly the actions of the cavalry that dictated events.
