We are weak, but there will be a sign
To all the hordes behind your Wall -
We will gather them into a fist, To collapse on you in war.
Captivity will not confuse us
We will live in slaves for a century, But when shame smothers you
We dance on your coffins …
("Song of the Picts" by Rudyard Kipling, translated by I. Okazov)
No sooner had the material about the knights of Scotland been released than letters were immediately sent asking to tell about the warriors-Picts, the predecessors of the very Scots with whom the English king Edward fought. And, of course, the subject of the Picts is beyond the scope of the series "about the knights", but since it is indeed very interesting, it should be told in more detail about them.
"Modern Picts". Today it is fashionable to reconstruct antiquity. There are those who recreate the life of the Romans, Greeks, Assyrians (!), As well as … elves, raise cups of "health" (vodka with honey) and run through the forest shouting: "We are elves, we are elves!" But these shout: "We are Picts, we are Picts!" And they have a lot of fun!
So, the Picts are the inhabitants of Scotland, who were caught by the Romans, but who had a chance to fight the Vikings. And so they fought, they fought, but they themselves crashed. Disappeared, dissolved among other peoples, so much so that not a trace remained of them. However, something of them, of course, remained. But exactly something. And the most amazing thing is that they lived already in the era of writing, and even had it. But … except for the list of their kings, indicating the duration of their reign, nothing written from them has survived to our time. We do not have Pictish laws, chronicles, no one wrote the lives of local saints, did not attend to the collection of their legends, poems and traditions. There is not a single whole sentence written in the Pictish language. Of course, authors of other nations wrote about them, even the same Julius Caesar. But only this does not really give anything, except perhaps the very knowledge that they were and used to be painted blue. Or to cover your body with a tattoo … Only the works of Pictish stone-cutters have come down to us, that is, images on stones, but they … do not contain small details. There are no inscriptions next to them, and we can only guess what they are telling about!
37 pages of sample text should be enough for you to decide whether to buy this book or not!
Therefore, there are many the same hypotheses about their origin (to the delight of the authors of fantasy!). According to one - they are the descendants of the Proto-Indo-European settlers, according to the other - they are relatives of the Iberians from Spain, or even the most ancient pre-Indo-European inhabitants of Europe.
This book by David Nicolas was written by him back in 1984, but it is still quite relevant.
Whatever it was they were, they fought wars, so we will talk about the warriors-Picts here. Well, as always, you should start with historiography, that is, with whoever has already written about it, what you can read on this topic yourself.
Paul Wagner wrote, of course, a very good and detailed book on the Picts. But it is a little hard to read … Although this is a subjective view.
The most accessible book in Russia is a study by Isabel Henderson, a well-known female Picts specialist in England and the author of many works, the first of which appeared back in 1967: “Picts. Mysterious Warriors of Ancient Scotland”. There are 37 introductory pages of this edition on the Internet and … in my opinion, you will not need more for the development of erudition (unless you are a fan of the history and culture of the Picts). The translation is good, but the book is hard to read.
Three books are available in English today (and more are available, but I read these) and two of them are Osprey editions. The first book by D. Nicolas "Arthur and the wars with the Anglo-Saxons", and the second by Paul Wagner "Warriors-Picts 297 -841". The first picts are given no more than two pages, so you don't learn much of it, the second is entirely devoted to them. But the problem is that Wagner himself … is an Australian from New South Wales (well, he became interested in the Picts and even wrote a PhD on them), so his English … is not Oxford, and it is more difficult to read it than ordinary English books. He examines both the tattoos of the Picts and their stone carvings, in a word, his work really turned out to be interesting.
The Foster book is complex: there are Picts, and Scots, and Welsh …
Well, now that we have found out that there is literature about the Picts both in Russian and in English, let's turn to their actual military affairs.
The attack of the Pictish warriors on the Roman fort. Rice. Wayne Reynolds.
To begin with, the borrowing of various types of weapons occurs very quickly in war. For example, in one of his monographs, the same D. Nicole gives a photograph of a dish, which depicts a Saracen horseman with a typical knightly triangular shield. But, apparently, it was already a different time and people then grew wiser.
Roman soldiers in Britain, c. 400 AD Picts, Britons, and Saxons, all of them had before their eyes examples of the Roman military culture of the last centuries of the Empire. These are magnificent, but tasteless helmets of the cavalry commanders, and chain mail, which the aborigines could well get as trophies, and "comb" helmets from two stamped parts, and large oval shields. The Romans themselves at this time no longer sought to burden themselves with armor. Training and discipline proved to be stronger than the fury of the barbarians, and the Romans themselves saw that mobility and collective defense were more effective than even the formation of legionnaires dressed in armor. Rice. Angus McBride.
Because the Picts, fighting the Romans and having before their eyes their weapons and military culture, did not take over from them! In Pictish carvings, it is impossible, for example, to distinguish between armor, except for one or two figures on which a quilted leather tunic may be depicted. However, archaeologists have found a fragment of iron scale armor from Karpov in Perthshire, as well as small diamond-shaped plates for the Roman armor lorica squamata. However, both of these findings are controversial. It was probably Roman armor that accidentally ended up in Pictish territory. Even helmets are rare; the Aberlem stone depicts horsemen wearing rather typical helmets with long nose plates and cheek pads, similar to the finds at Coppergate and Benti Grange, but they are clearly not Picts. In any case, this is the opinion of Paul Wagner and we have to reckon with him. The Stone of Mordakh shows us a strange figure, which seems to be wearing a helmet with a crest, but archaeologists have found only one fragment of such a helmet, and again, it is unknown to whom it belonged. Nevertheless, it will be permissible to assume that the Pictish nobility - that is why they all the same know! - nevertheless had helmets, and maybe armor made of metal plates.
Roman-British horseman of the 5th-6th centuries - that is, the era when the Romans themselves left Britain, but many of their traditions and complex of weapons were still preserved there. Rice. Richard Hook.
The Pictish melee weapon was a sword with a straight blade, rhombic or with a fuller and a small crosshair. Only a few fragments of Pictish swords, La Tene style, and similar to Anglo-Saxon ones have been found. Pictish images show parallel, wide blades with distinctly rounded points, although their length is difficult to judge. This shape of the tip tells us about the fighting technique. That is, the Pictish sword technique was based on striking them, and not for thrusting!
Warrior of the Caledonian tribe (one of the tribes of the pre-Celtic population of Scotland), c. AD 200 with their characteristic, as well as the Pictish, weapons, including a buckler shield. Rice. Wayne Reynolds.
Spears, of course, were, and they are depicted with large tips. They are also known to have had one-handed and two-handed battle axes. It should be noted that for most Celtic societies, darts were the main offensive weapon. Sometimes they were thrown with a belt attached to the shaft.
Pictish weapons and armor, including their irregularly shaped buckler shields. The number 7 denotes the Roman crossbow Solenarion. Rice. Wayne Reynolds.
The reverse of the Dupplin Cross and the Sueno Stone show the Picts armed with bows, indicating that archery was known to them. And not only from onions. The image of the Roman crossbow Solenarion has also come down to us, the use of which is also confirmed by the find of crossbow bolts of the 7th - 8th centuries. This weapon had a low rate of fire and is only found in hunting scenes, but it would be reasonable to assume that it sometimes found its way onto the battlefield as well. It is believed that the Picts also used specially bred and trained military dogs, which rushed at the enemy and bit him by the legs and other parts of the body that were not always covered with armor. The image of such dogs is also found.
Pictish warriors 690. Horseman and infantryman, and the horseman is armed with a heavy spear with a leaf-shaped tip and a quiver with three darts. Rice. Wayne Reynolds.
The Pictish horsemen had round shields with hemispherical embossings behind which there was a handle, while the Pictish infantry used small round or square shields. The latter were of two types: a square shield with an umbilicus and a square one with recesses at the top and bottom, so to speak, H-shaped. It is interesting that such shields were not found anywhere else, except for the Pictish! In some Pictish carvings we see decorated shields, and it is possible that such shields were covered with embossed leather, in addition, they could be decorated with copper rivets and fittings.
Pictus hunter (2), Pictish military leader with a square buckler shield (3), horseman (1) - VII - IX centuries. Rice. Angus McBride.
It turns out that it was the Picts who created the famous shield, called the buckler, and in good conscience it should be called the “Pictish shield”. It is interesting that in one of the Irish legends the armament of the Picts is described as follows: "They had three huge black swords, and three black shields, and three black broad-leaved spears with shafts as thick as a spit." If we remove all the "black details" characteristic of children's horror stories - "in a completely black room, a little girl tied with a black rope was sitting on a black chair and then a black hand appeared from the black floor …" - and to accept this information without objection, then from only one conclusion can be drawn from it: the sword blades and spearheads of the Picts were … blued, and not polished, apparently in order to protect the metal from the peculiarities of the Scottish climate.
Well, the black color of the shields may indicate that they were "tarred" (later the later highlanders used this technique), since the resin just gives the black color to the wood.
The Picts are known to have built a large number of mountain forts. An example of such fortifications is the "royal fortress" at Burghead. There were wells and churches in them, which suggests a fairly large number of people who were in them. Most of the forts, however, were relatively small, but built on rocky areas, with the stone wall following the contour of the cliffs so that their foundations would make it truly invulnerable. The capture of such fortifications played an important role in the Pictish wars, although we know nothing about how it actually happened.
Sword training for young Picts. Rice. Wayne Reynolds.
Did the Picts fight naked or not? It is widely believed that such a custom took place, although many modern researchers are skeptical about it. Of course, there are many Roman reports of Celts and British fighting in the nude. For example, about the Caledonians, who are depicted naked on several carved Roman slabs, and about whom the historian Herodian wrote: “They do not know how to use clothes … they tattoo their bodies not only with images of animals of all kinds, but with a variety of designs. And that's why they don't wear clothes, so as not to hide these drawings on their bodies."
It is not known exactly how much this is connected with the Picts, but there are images of naked Picts on several stones. By the way, the Romans wrote about the Galatians (Celts who inhabited southern Turkey) that "their wounds were clearly visible, because they fight naked, and their bodies are plump and white, since they are never exposed, except in battle." That is, the Picts could also follow this custom and undress before the battle, but they certainly used clothes. After all, there is winter in Scotland …
An image of a Pictish warrior covered in a tattoo. Rice. from the book of 1590 (New York Public Library)
In addition, while stripping naked before the battle, the warrior made a call for divine protection, possibly associated with the magical symbols painted on his body. There were also some practical reasons not to burden oneself with clothing, since a naked body is more difficult to grasp in close combat, and a wound on bare skin is less susceptible to infection than a wound against which dirty cloth is rubbed. It is for this reason that there were traditions around the world to duel naked, and even Roman gladiators fought with only a helmet, a bracer and a loincloth on their heads.
A purely psychological aspect is also important here. It is possible that the army of naked, tattooed Picts for the civilized Romans was simply a terrifying sight.
Silver Pictish chain made between 400 and 800 BC (National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh)
As for the mentality, it is known that the same Celtic warriors were proud, boastful and simply extremely concerned about the outward manifestations of their masculinity and valor. This is exactly what their tattoos and silver jewelry, that is, everything that was exhibited, speaks about it. But it was even more important to look courageous and noble in words. Because of this, they were prone to swagger and exaggeration. As an example, Paul Wagner cites the boasting of one Pictish “hero” that has come down to us: “When I'm weak, I can go up against twenty-one. A third of my strength is enough against thirty … Warriors avoid battle for fear of me, and whole armies flee from me, "to which the other casually replies," Not bad for a boy."
It would seem that the Picts could make armor from leather, since they had both leather and wool in abundance. They were also capable metalworkers. In any case, they made excellent things out of silver. But … at the same time, they preferred to fight naked, demonstrating their arrogance to the enemy. Other Celtic warriors were also prone to this. For example, in the battle of Karatak in 50 AD. the Britons gave up armor and helmets, believing that their shields were sufficient protection for them. At the Battle of Standard in 1138, the Galloway warriors were first placed in the rear of the Scottish army as they lacked armor. But their leader considered this a loss of their military prowess and demanded to put them in front, and let them wear the armor, they say, let them wear cowards!
Celtic folklore is replete with examples of heroes who are attacked by numerous opponents, chivalrously fighting them in turn, since there was no glory or honor to simply kill the enemy, piling on him in a bunch. Perhaps the Pictish choice of small buckler shields and wide chopping swords just indicates that single combat played a very important role in the military clashes of the Pictish, since it is this combination of offense and defense that gives significant advantages in one-on-one fights, but is far from ideal in a large-scale battle.
"Helmet from Coppergate". York, England. Second half of the 8th century. The helmet resembles the helmets of the Northumbrian horsemen depicted in the Picts carved on stones at Aberlemno, which are believed to depict the Battle of Nechtansmeer. (Yorkshire Museum)
At the same time, outwitting a stronger enemy was considered quite normal, and in no way condemned. The ancient Indian "Mahabharata" also shows us the surprising similarity of this attitude to war. So noble, honest and straightforward in peacetime, the Pandavas indulge in any deception in order to defeat the Kauravas who were unseemly in peacetime in battle! That is, in the war, both the Celts and the ancient Hindus, as well as the Persians, believed that "any path is good, that leads to victory!" learned what Aife cherishes more than anything else.
“There are three things she likes the most,” Skata said. "These are her two horses, her chariot and her chariot."
Cuchulainn entered into battle with Aife and fought with her on the "rope of exploits." And Aife smashed his sword, leaving one hilt and part of the blade, no more than a fist.
"Look, oh, look!" - Cuchulainn then cried, - "Your driver, two horses and a chariot fell into the valley, they are all dead!"
Aife looked around, and Cuchulainn jumped on her and grabbed her by both breasts, after which he threw her behind his back, brought her to his camp and threw her to the ground, and he himself stood over her with a drawn sword, which symbolized his victory.
Fir tactics in battles against cavalry included the use of a "wall of shields", which was later used by the Scots at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Rice. Wayne Reynolds.
At the same time, the Pictish warrior was part of a close-knit squad, in which the clannishness was the most extreme: the warriors lived, ate, slept, fought, killed and died all together. The respect that the warrior won with his glorious death, to some extent mitigated their grief over his loss, because the glory of the fallen to a certain extent also affected his other comrades. But it was especially customary to grieve for the leaders, and the leaders were victorious, generous and courageous.
I carry my head in a cloak:
This is the head of Urien, the generous ruler of his court.
Crows flocked onto his white chest.
And I carry his head in my hand:
Britain's foothold has fallen.
My hand went numb.
My chest is trembling.
My heart is broken.
It was in such verses that the death of such leaders was glorified, which, at least in words, testifies to the deep respect that ordinary soldiers and … ancient storytellers had for them.
The Northumbrian cavalry (right) wear helmets similar to those from Coppergate. Image on one of the stones in Aberlemno, which supposedly depicts the Battle of Nechtansmeer. (Churchyard in the parish church of Aberlemno (the stone is sometimes called Aberlemno II))
The Picts, as a people, can be traced in the history of Britain up to 843, and then reports about them disappear, and they themselves completely disappear from the historical arena. And how this happened, in general, is still not known to anyone!
"Serpentine Stone" with pictures of the Picts from Aberlemno.
* These words are said to the hero Rustam Shah Kavus from Ferdowsi's poem "Shahnameh", inciting him to fight with Suhrab, who is his son and … Rustam, not recognizing his son, kills him and … repeats these words!
References:
1. Nicolle, D. Arthur and Anglo-Saxon Wars. London. Osprey Publishing Ltd., (MAA No. 154), 1984.
2. Wagner, P. Pictish Warrior AD 297-841. Oxford. … Osprey Publishing Ltd., (Warrior No. 50), 2002.
3. Smyth, Alfred. Warlords and Holy Men. Edinburgh: University Press. 1984, 1989.
4. Foster, S., Foster, S. M. Picts, Gaels and Scots: early historic Scotland. Batsford, 1996.
5. Bitel, Lisa M. Land of Women: Tales of Sex and Gender from Early Ireland. Cornell University Press, 1998.
6. Newton, Michael. A Handbook of the Scottish Gaelic World. Four Courts Press, 2000.
7. Henderson, Isabelle. Picts. Mysterious Warriors of Ancient Scotland / Per. from English N. Yu. Chekhonadskoy. Moscow: ZAO Tsentrpoligraf, 2004.
