Riding Pillion

Pillion is a new word in my vocabulary. According to Merriam-Webster, a pillion is a light saddle for women consisting chiefly of a cushion, OR a pad or cushion put on behind a man’s saddle, chiefly for a woman to ride on, OR a motorcycle or bicycle saddle for a passenger. The word pillion seems like it might be French, but is actually derived from either Scots Gaelic or Irish. The first known use of the word was in 1503.

The illustration on the left is from 1806 and depicts a woman riding pillion behind a man. In the upper sketch, the horse is walking, the preferred pace for riding pillion if the rider hopes to stay connected to her seat. The lower sketch demonstrates what happens if the horse goes into a gallop. The rider hangs onto the man as tightly as she can. Sometimes she isn’t able to hold on tightly enough, and has a brief moment of flight before crashing into the ground as depicted in the illustration on the right.

The pillion itself, as described in the 1806 Once a Week periodical, was a thick, firm, well-stuffed, wide and level cushion, extending quite across the broadest part of the horse, with two deep flaps, one on either side. The rider in some, but I suspect not all, instances had a footstool for her feet formed by a long stirrup on one side. Over the horse’s tail, there was a leather handle the passenger could grasp.

As a writer of historical fiction, I encounter many details that lead me into further research. My current project takes place during the infamous witch trials of 17th century Salem. The local constable has to transport one of the prisoners, Sarah Good, from Salem Village [now Danvers] to Ipswich Jail. Accounts say the prisoner rode pillion behind the constable. Hmm, I thought, how does one ride pillion? So, off I went for a quick mental research trip. As it happened, Sarah Good managed to slide off the horse and attempted to escape. Alas, she failed to reach her goal. Women continued to “ride pillion” into the early 20th century, depending on their locale.

Anne of Bohemia’s Sidesaddle

In the 14th century, the first modifications were made to convert “riding pillion” into riding in a sidesaddle arrangement. The first well-known practitioner of this transition was Anne of Bohemia (1366-1394) who, at the age of fifteen, left her home in Bohemia to marry Richard II of England.

The match was not particularly lucrative. Anne did not bring Richard a dowry. In fact, Richard paid 20,000 florins [over 5 million dollars in modern currency] to Anne’s brother Wenceslas IV of Bohemia. Anne was the sister of Sigismund, the Holy Roman Emperor, so there were some diplomatic and trade benefits.

Anne and her entourage had a journey of approximately 600 miles over varying terrain from Prague to Calais where she boarded a vessel bound for England. The only practical way for her to travel was to ride horseback. However for reasons of modesty, Ann could not straddle a horse with her legs apart, no matter how many skirts might cover them.

So Anne rode a palfrey, a horse prized for its smooth, ambling gait. [An ambling gate was a four-beat gate that was faster than a walk but slower than a cantor.] In particular, the palfrey was considered an appropriate horse for a woman to ride. In the above illustration the female is riding astride. Anne, however, rode on a saddle mounted onto the horse’s back. Anne sat sideways at a right angle to the horse’s head and could not control her horse, which was led by a man.

The marriage, incidentally, appears to have been a happy one, though the couple had no children. Anne died from the plague in 1394.

The Sidesaddle Evolves

In the 16th century, Catherine de Medici (1519-1589) improved what had become known as a sidesaddle by devising a saddle with a single pommel so the rider could hook her right leg over the saddle. The rider could now sit with her shoulders forward in the saddle, and control her own horse using the reins. Moreover, the horse could canter without dislodging the rider. It only seems fitting that one of Catherine’s famous quotations is The first lesson I ever learned was never to wait for a man’s rescue.

Overtime, sidesaddles continued to be improved. During the 19th century a leaping head pommel provided greater security for the rider so that women could participate in hunting and jumping events while continuing to maintain their modesty.

During the early 20th century, riding sidesaddle became increasingly rare until Downton Abbey became a popular television series set between 1912 and 1926. Social media has also popularized riding sidesaddle. Sidesaddles and their riders can be found at horse show rings, historical reenactments, parades, and various equestrian competitions such as dressage.

A chance source about Sarah Good’s transport to Ipswich Jail introduced me to historic details about women’s modesty and control when riding on horseback. No wonder I enjoy writing historical fiction so much.

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Sandra’s Books: Sea Tigers & Merchants. Ambition, Arrogance & Pride. Saxon Heroines. Two Coins. Rama’s Labyrinth.

Illustrations & A Few Sources

Riding Pillion-1, Once a Week, Series 1, Vol. 3, 1860; Riding Pillion-2, Ibid; Coldrich a Bozena, 14th century; Anne de Foix, Queen of Hungary & Bohemia, 16th century; Katharina von Medici; Gray Parker from Horsemanship for Women, 1887; Mrs. Thomas N. Carter, 1902. Merriam Webster page for pillion. Margaret Evans. “The Heritage & Skill of Riding Sidesaddle.” Horse Journals. Jan. 9, 2021.