Tudor Spurs

Social History (Museum of St Albans)

Tudor Spurs. Spurs were metal spikes attached to a boot heel so that horsemen could prick their mounts to make them move faster. The earliest had a single prong which could easily injure a horse and they were replaced by the 14th century by the safer rowel spur which had a rotating wheel of spikes. The metal used originally showed the rank of the wearer. Knights had gilt spurs; esquires, who were training to be knights, had silvered ones; sergeants or men-at-arms were allowed only brass or iron spurs.

PX4377

CD 433

Digital Camera

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