Whew Bill, great post,
I'll have to go back to UT to give you a proper response, but overall I agree with you that the Rohirrim were shockingly tactically inept at these battles. Perhaps Wormtongue's poisoned words had convinced them that they had no chance and the only course left was to dismount for a 'last stand' and sell their lives as dearly as possible. Eomer considers this course at the Pelennor fields and late Medieval knights (eg Wars of the Roses) usually fought on foot. However I'd agree that in this situation it was disastrous and added to the splitting of their forces, doomed the Rohirrim.
I like the Bayeux tapestry pic, that's how I imagine the Rohirrim (and by extension Aragorn, since he wore their armour). Though I'd think they would have used the 'couched' lance, which was still not standard practice in 1066.
Have fun building your hovel Bill, but I doubt the family will be too impressed if they have to share with the goats!
[img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]
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Rumil of Coedhirion
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