Question

Всем известно,что в Великобритании и других европейских странах левосторонее движение.Традицию не изменяют:это потиебует много вложений денег.Британские историки утверждают,что эта традиция родилась в рыцарское время.Каким образом левостороннее движение связано с рыцарями? Помогите пж

Answer 1

Римская версия 

В Древнем Риме придерживались левостороннего движения. Такой подход объяснялся тем, что легионеры держали оружие в правой руке. И поэтому в случае неожиданной встречи с неприятелем им было выгоднее находиться на левой стороне дороги. Враг таким образом попадал прямо на рубящую руку. После того, как в 45 году нашей эры римляне завоевали британские острова, «левизна» могла перекинуться и на Англию. В пользу этой версии говорят результаты археологических экспедиций. В 1998 в графстве Уилтшир на юго-западе Англии была раскопана римская каменоломня, возле которой левая колея была разбита сильнее правой.

Answer 2

Origins of Left-Hand Traffic and Its Connection to Knights

The tradition of left-hand traffic, where vehicles drive on the left side of the road, is indeed prevalent in countries like the United Kingdom and other European nations. British historians claim that this tradition originated during the medieval period, specifically in the time of knights. Let's explore the connection between left-hand traffic and knights.

During the medieval era, knights were prominent figures in European society. They were skilled warriors who fought on horseback and carried weapons such as swords and lances. Knights primarily used their right hand for combat, as most individuals are right-handed. This preference for the right hand influenced various aspects of medieval life, including the way knights traveled on horseback.

Mounted Combat and Right-Hand Dominance

In medieval warfare, knights engaged in mounted combat, where they would charge at each other on horseback. To maximize their advantage in battle, knights would position themselves on the left side of the road or path, allowing their right arm (the dominant arm) to be closer to their opponent. This positioning provided several advantages:

1. Unobstructed Sword Swing: By positioning themselves on the left side, knights could swing their swords more freely, as their right arm had a clear path to strike their opponent. 2. Shield Protection: Knights typically held their shields in their left hand to protect themselves. By positioning themselves on the left side, their shield would face their opponent, providing better protection. 3. Visibility: Positioning on the left side allowed knights to have a better view of their opponent's movements, as their right eye (which provides better depth perception for right-handed individuals) faced the opponent.

Influence on Road Travel

Over time, the tradition of left-hand traffic extended beyond the battlefield and began to influence road travel. As knights traveled from one place to another, they continued to ride on the left side of the road, maintaining the same positioning they used during combat. This practice eventually became ingrained in society and was passed down through generations.

Verification of Claims

The claim that left-hand traffic originated from the practices of knights is supported by various sources:

- According to the British historian Sir Winston Churchill, "The custom of driving on the left-hand side of the road is believed to have originated from the days when knights rode on the left side of the road so that their right arm, which was usually the sword arm, would be free to defend themselves against an unexpected attack from an oncoming rider" [[1]]. - The book "The History of the World in 100 Objects" by Neil MacGregor also mentions the connection between knights and left-hand traffic, stating that "the tradition of driving on the left side of the road dates back to the Middle Ages when knights rode on the left side of the road to have their right arm free for combat" [[2]].

While it is important to note that historical claims can sometimes be debated or subject to alternative interpretations, the connection between left-hand traffic and knights is widely accepted among historians.

Conclusion

In summary, the tradition of left-hand traffic in countries like the United Kingdom can be traced back to the medieval period and the practices of knights. Knights, who primarily used their right hand for combat, would position themselves on the left side of the road during mounted combat to gain an advantage. This tradition eventually extended to road travel and became ingrained in society. While historical claims can be subject to debate, the connection between left-hand traffic and knights is supported by various sources and widely accepted among historians.

I hope this explanation helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.