The equestrian items from the wreck may be cavalry related; however, during the sixteenth century the cavalry began to play a less dominant role.

‘… this was owing to the perfection of pike and firearms tactics … and not to any marked decline in the quality of the cavalry … At Riberac (1568), a tight square of harquebusiers was simply ridden down … (but) once supported by a pike-square, such shot could defy the cavalry … and cavalry halted by a pike-square made a target of such size that even the most inaccurate weapons could not fail to work to deadly effect … yet the cavalry of the sixteenth century notched up some notable successes, and several battles, including the ‘Battle of the Spurs’ (1513), Moncontour (1569), Mook (1574), Gembloux (1578), Courtras (1587), Ivry (1590), Turnhaut (1597) and Nieuport (1600), were decided by the use of cavalry … but the pike-square, when properly formed and well trained, could withstand repeated cavalry charges without breaking’.

David Eltis, The Military Revolution in Sixteenth century Europe, New York, 1995

Stirrups recovered from the wreck

Two stirrups and a spur with an eight-pronged rowel were recovered. Though not exactly alike, the stirrups were found close together and are believed to be a pair. Traces of gilding were found on both. The spur was discovered within a wishbone-shaped concretion. No metal survived but, from the void, conservators at York Archaeological Trust were able to make a silicone rubber cast.

Technical drawing of the stirrups

The presence of equestrian equipment on the wreck, raises questions concerning Norreys’ use of the horse at a time when, because of the growing effiency of firearms and their complementary relationship with pike, the cavalry was becoming redundant. However, because so few items have so far been found, it would be wise to resist any further speculation until excavation has provided a more complete picture.