More Dark Age and Medieval Armies (Part 9)

More Dark Age and Medieval Armies

Part 9

By Terry L. Gore

70. MONGOL: EARLY 13TH TO MID 14TH.

The army of the khans is extremely mobile, but this forces the commander to perfect skirmisher horse archer tactics in order to be successful. These steppe horsemen had two advantages over their enemies: They were trained and they carried a multitude of weapons. Their large numbers, overwhelming mobility and ferocity in battle cowed everyone in their way.

Tactics can be very elaborate or extremely basic. Using the skirmisher cavalry to harass, disorder and outflank the slower enmy formations, allows the heavy cavalry to pick their targets and hammer them. This is a very popular army, but it takes plenty of skill to handle it. Not for the faint-hearted beginner.

71. GRANADINE: EARLY 13TH TO LATE 15TH.

Established by the Moslems in southern Spain, the state of Granada fought off numerous Christian armies for over 25 years. This is one of the most colorful armies of the Medieval period with plenty of firepower as well as numerous cavalry and some close-order foot. In the early 14th century, the Granadine army was composed of both Andalusians as well as Berber and Black African mercenaries as well as Spanish Christians.

Berber mercenaries (Maranids) fought well for their employers in the earlier period of the Grenadine state, but a dramatic decline in cavalry quality, the loss of the Maranid mercenaries and a resurgent Spanish re-conquista spelled the eventual doom of this isolated country.

Tactically, the trained skirmisher cavalry must be used to pin an enemy army so that the archers/crossbowmen can be allowed to shoot the adversaries into disorder and the lancers then charge in. The close order foot are not numerous enough to do other than hold various hilltops and keep the center secure.

This is a fair army for any level of player, but it is a challenge to win convincingly with.

72. SWISS: 14TH TO EARLY 16TH.

Most rules relegate the Swiss to an army of immobile archer targets. This hardly reflects their value historically. Charles the Bold of Burgundy certainly had his problems when facing them. Most of their enemies did. At St. Jaco-en-Birs in 1444, the Swiss charged in echelon. At Grandson in 1476, 20,000 Swiss defeated 15,000 Burgundians.

The Swiss armies relied primarilly on their halberdiers and pikemen. They were hardy veterans who were not afraid to attack mounted troops when the opportunity presented itself. Add to this some fanatic rough terrain types, numbers of crossbowmen, a handful of handgunners and kinghts, and you have a pretty decent force--just as the Swiss armies actually were. At Morat in 1476, the Duke of Lorraine led the Swiss Confederation forces to a decisive victory over the Burgundians by charging straight ahead into the enemy lines and driving the Burgundians into Lake Murtensee.

Tactics take some developing. The Vanguard (vorhut) usually led the attack on one flank, with most of the crossbows and handgunners skirmishing or on the flanks of the pike blocks. You must learn how to utilize the pike blocks to best advantage. Aggressively push them into the enemy lines, supporting your flanks with fanatics, handgunners and crossbowmen. The knights should be held back in reserve. Use the small number of mounted crossbowmen to threaten a flank or keep the enemy from riding blithely around your army. A fun army for any level of player.

73. ISLAMIC PERSIAN: MID 13TH TO LATE 14TH.

This is another favorite of mine. The Persians, tough enough before their conversion, became downright zealous with their newfound faith and desire to spread it's message to anyone within reach.

This is an extremely tenacious army. The multitudes of heavy cavalry, all double-armed, can be upgraded to fanatics, as they should be. There are large numbers of poor quality archers, best used in defensive positions, as well as some light cavalry turkomans, handgunners, and a few rough terrain troops.

If upgraded to fanatics, you simply set your army out and charge the nearest enemy. Though not especially inventive, this was how the army usually performed. Otherwise, use the cavalry to shoot the enemy units into disorder before charging in with the lance. Use the handgunners to dissuade enemy knights. Afghans can be used from ambush or to protect a woods area from enemy infiltration.

This army is a wild one to use. Usually, you will just sit back and watch them attack. Good for any level of player, but especially appealing to the aggressive gamer.

74. LATE MEDIEVAL HUNGARIAN: 14TH TO EARLY 16TH.

The Hungarians spent most of their two hundred years covered by this list fighting various Mongol and Ottoman enemies. They were, in effect, the protective buffer between East and West. Famous leaders included Mathias Corvinus, of Black army fame, and Count Vlad, whose bloody atrocities and examples have brought him down to us through legend as the infamous Count Dracula. King Charles Robert d'Anjou (1308-42) required feudal service, building up his armies to a reported 80,000 Hungarians, Germans, Bohemians, Transylvanians and other mercenaries. The Black Army had some 20,000 horse and 8,000 foot in 1485.

This is a very versatile army--it had to be, considering the strength and diversity of its enemies. There are armored knights, fanatic Transylvanian double-armed heavy cavalry, plenty of horse archers, close order spearmen, halberdiers, archers, handgunners, crossbowmen and even war wagons! All in all a great army.

Tactics can be as diverse as the types of troops employed. Usually, the light cavalry would lead the way with heavy cavalry behind. The war wagonscan be used as a strong defensive position. Transylvanian foot can ambush from and neutralize rough terrain. The knights, especially the wedging Germans, can take on anything except elephants. Use the formidable missile fire to discomfort your enemy before destroying him with your knights. A strong center and right or left flank attack can be mounted, using the wagons on the other flank to block a similar enemy move. A great army for any level of player.

75. ILKHANID: MID 13TH TO MID 14TH.

The present day Azerbayjan was the homeland of the Ilkhanid Mongols. The Ilkhanids managed to war with and defeat Turks, Iranians, Abbassids and numerous smaller states, leading to the eventual capture of Jerusalem in 1308. Though the empire would last only half a century after this, the Ilkhanids provide a horse archer army with large numbers of foot and artillery.

Tactically, the Ilkhanids would do well to utilize their large numbers of horse archers to continually keep a heavy missile fire up and harass any enemy within range. Rough terrain troops can secure flanks and the Persian foot are best left holding obstacles and hilltops. Use the Guard cavalry, lancers, and Georgian ally cavalry to punch holes in the enemy lines. A full assault on the enemy center can often do the job. Make sure you stack up your cavalry and hammer away (remember, they are all bow-armed).

This is a good army for any level of player.

76. MEDIEVAL SCANDINAVIAN: LATE 13TH TO EARLY 16TH

With the advent of feudalism in the Scandinavian countries, the concept of warfare changed from the freebooting Viking style of raids and wars of epic conquests to the more mundane local warfare of the Western European nobility. By the late 11th century, cavalry were appearing in Scandinavian armies, often in a reserve capacity. The largest armies totalled 8,000, with usual numbers in the 3-5,000 range. Gone were the huscarls, hersirs and bondi. In their place were the omnipresent heavy knights, crossbowmen and large numbers of loose order foot. By the late 14th century, handgunners and heavier armored foot (still loose ordered) appeared.

This is not a bad army. There are more than enough rough terrain troops to handle any type of battlefield. The knights are plentiful and strong. There are fanatics who can ambush out of woods as well as plenty of ships to sail a force up a flank. Up to half the foot can be bow or crossbow-armed. Opt for the many foot to form in the center, with knights and the handful of skirmish cavalry screening them. Use the vast firepower to keep an enemy at bay until one or two of the opponent's units are disordered. Then charge in with the knights.

The use of a priest is encouraged. At Reval in 1219, Waldemar II of Denmark defeated a German army, largely because of the 'miracle' banner which appeared inhis hands, inspiring the Danes to destroy the Germans! A good army for the experienced player and an okay one for beginners.

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© Copyright 1999 by Terry Gore
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