Stirrup Cavalry Combat System

Timeline

1. 500–800East Asian and Central Asian steppe · ChinaStirrup technology spread westward from East Asian steppe peoples, reaching the Byzantine and Islamic worlds via Central Asia, greatly enhancing cavalry's mounted combat and archery capabilities.
2. 1321–1400Western Europe · Western EuropeIn the 14th century, Western European knights used stirrups to support full armor in lance charges; the vassal cavalry system and mounted martial training were closely integrated, forming the core of feudal military power.
3. 1400–1500Eurasia · EurasiaStirrup cavalry reached its tactical peak in the Hundred Years' War and Ottoman expansion, then, due to firearms, longbows, and infantry tactical innovations, the advantage of heavy cavalry charges weakened, and the system gradually transformed toward modern cavalry.