Enemies to the Vikings, Welsh and Normans, the Conquest Period Saxon army had been forged out of disparate elements of Norse, Dane and Anglo-Saxon military societies. The army is based around the famous huscarl, or household warrior, heavily armoured and ready to fight to death in support of his jarl, earl or king.

Fighting in close ordered ranks, the huscarls were veterans in every sense of the word. Wielding their deadly two-handed axes, they were always dangerous and could be depended on to give their all for the rewards of victory. Augmenting the ranks of huscarls were the land-owning thegns, also armoured, but wielding spears instead of the Viking axes. The huscarls and thegns were primarily an infantry force, but illustrations and certain battle descriptions have numbers of them also fighting as cavalry.

The bulk of the Saxon army consisted of the fyrd, or landless peasant militia, who could be called up to fight in emergencies. Many of these militia did receive some rudimentary training in use of arms and missile weapons, so would be rated as higher morale than the rest of their unarmoured neighbors.

What Kind of Army?

When determining what kind of army you would like to build, bear in mind that the Saxons had a number of divergent styles of enemy combat units to face. They may be forced to deal with the Welsh, hiding in the fastness of their forested, hilly interior. Equally as troublesome, but more aggressive, were the Vikings. Yet even more problematic…and dangerous…were the Normans.

Start with a strong core of huscarls, at least two units of them (I use them in four stand units, the front rank armed with axe and shield, with the rear armed with various and shield). You might also want to use one stand to bolster each of your generals' single stands as well. In this instance, I use them and the generals as mounted heavy cavalry, allowing them to move about the battlefield with speed.

The thegns are also needed in quantity. I like to use them in units of six stands each, two units at least. Another four stands I use as heavy cavalry, a steady reserve of two stands each, able to react to enemy moves and having the ability to rapidly take advantage of enemy mistakes.

The fyrd are also used in six-stand units, half of them upgraded to warriors, the rest remaining as poor quality militia. The fyrd archers may be used as separate units or as a third rank for the fyrd spearmen. They are better off as a third rank as they have no shields and, being close order, have difficulty retreating if charged.

Skirmishers are used as well, at least one unit of four stands to occupy terrain and slow down the enemy advances. A Danish ally-general is a useful addition, counting in 1066 as a Northern Earl and bringing with him his own unit(s) of huscarls. He also would provide a contingent or two of lightly armoured warriors or warband types with various weapons and shield in loose order. These troops are good for occupying the rough terrain and going after the Welsh…just as Harold made use of his troops during his war with Llewelyn of Wales in the mid-11th century. It's a bit of a justification here, allowing the 1066 army to use 'Danes', but I consider them simply Northumbrians of Danish descent, now acclimated to their new homeland and fighting under their local Anglo-Saxon earls.

The Anglo-Saxon army, like any army, is helped by being uphill. Not only does this give your troops morale advantages, but it also helps when they are fighting. Try to find 'good ground' to fight from. The huscarls should be in the center of the army, or scattered along the front between units of thegns and fyrd, able to lend support if needed. Give your troops Defend orders and have them in shieldwall for maximum fighting ability. Cavalry should be in reserve. You may want to consider mixing the better armoured huscarls and thegns in with the unarmoured fyrd, with the heavier troops in the front ranks. I find this dilutes my units, however, so normally use them as integral units with no mixing.

Skirmishers will both be able to screen the unarmoured foot from missile fire as well as lead the way into forests if using loose order 'Danes' to root out Welsh or Vikings ambushers.

Against Normans, you are best off letting the knights batter themselves to pieces against your shieldwalls, while using missile troops to maximum advantage. Shoot the Normans down before they can force their way through your shieldwalls and you will be successful. If, however, the Normans manage to catch your poor quality fyrd in a state of disorder, you are in serious trouble. You must have some reserves, not only to support your front lines, but also to deal with units that break and rout. With poor quality unarmoured foot, this is bound to occur and you must be ready to deal with it.

Use the generals to keep morale up along the front. Do not use them in close combat unless you have a real chance of doing some considerable damage to your opponent. By all means, then charge in!

This is a decent army that is fun to paint and work with. You will have to learn how best to deal with other types of enemy armies, but you have the diversity to do so. As with all armies in Medieval Warfare, the learning process is the most fun. Do not be discouraged by early defeats. Learn from them and use your knowledge to turn things around in your next game. But by all means, have fun!