Rather than sitting light in their saddles, loosing off arrows, and relying on agility and speed, the German troops were organized around a core of heavy cavalry. These were mounted warriors who wore thick armor, including helmets, and fought with sword and lance, running their enemies down and hacking them to pieces. Riding in good order and given the chance to fight at close quarters, heavy cavalry could usually be expected to defeat light mounted archers. The only question was whether the Magyars would give Otto’s men the sort of battle they wanted.
