Tavern looks amazing! Leaps and bounds above warband.
I would love to see capturing some motions for the creation of animations that allow blocking with shield and parrying with weapon while supinate on the ground.
I.E : Lets say, you get knocked down by horse while you are facing said horse, you will land on your back...able to protect yourself from being cut in two by infantry that runs up to finish you off. If you were knocked down by horse from the back, then you would land on your face, no defense allowed.
Also, if they did this....there would have to be a balanced penalty for being knocked down. Maybe pressing "F" would start stand up animation where one would be defenseless for half a second or something.
How about if you get knocked down by blunt weapon, you prop yourself up with left hand while pushing yourself to your feet and can still parry and make a feeble attack with right hand. Or how about if you get backed into stairs(leading up) while fighting there is a chance you will trip and go down on left hand just like if you got knocked down by blunt weapon. Pommel smash would be cool too. A short range attack like kick. Just some ideas...