Swiss and French Snapshot Armies

15th Century

by Steve Schifani


The Swiss had quite a storied history. Truly vicious fighters and both they and Charles weren't shy when it came to terror tactics! The armies that appeal most to me are the ones at Grandson and Nancy. At Grandson, they were operating on their own behalf, so probably had few if any mounted knights, and they had not yet captured Charles' extensive train of artillery. Thus I'm more tempted by the army that fought at Nancy. It was "led" by their hirer Rene, Duke of Lorraine, who would have had his own small group of retainers, and it also would have had access to loads of Burgundian artillery left behind at Grandson and Morat.

Swiss Army at Nancy, 1477

    1 CiC = 56
    2 Generals = 64
    2 Knights = 32
    34 Pikes/Halberds with HI upgrade = 238
    4 Ambushers = 20
    4 Mounted CBs = 20
    6 Crossbows = 24
    6 Skirmishers = 18
    4 Handgunners = 16
    2 Bombards = 36
    524 points

The only question now is to see what kind of feel the mixed units rules give. This will determine how many of the 34 HI stands are pikes and how many are halberdiers. The blocks consisted of pikemen on the outside with halberds inside, with the center block (kiel, think this term still applies) containing the cantonal standards as well. Should be able to replicate this, no problem. Looks like a fun hammertime army.

I enjoy reading through some of the snapshots of armies at their most famous engagements. Here is an army that might work for the French under Louis the Spider when they battled Charles the future Duke of Burgundy and the League of Public Weal at Montl'hery.

A disorganized fiasco that saw both armies have one flank completely chased off the field, with Charles claiming victory on the grounds that he still held the field at day's end.

** This is based on the draft list and may need revising when I get my copy of the late medieval army lists.

French Ordonnance at the Battle of Montl'hery - 1465
StandsTroop TypeArmourMoraleWeapons StrengthTotal Cost
1CiC Louis XIFPCElite(T)L3 @ 6060
2French MarshalsFPCElite(T)L3 @ 4590
2Guard GendarmesFPCElite(T)L3 @ 2040
4Ord. GendarmesFPCVeteran(T)L3 @ 1872
4CoustilliersHC Warrior(T)L/CB3 @ 1844
4Ord. GuardsFMIElite(T)LB/Sh4 @ 1144
4Ord ArchersHIVeteran(T)LB4 @ 832
8Franc-archersUIPoorLB4 @ 324
8PartisanmenHIWarriorHalberd4 @ 540
4CrossbowLAIWarriorCB/Pa4 @ 520
6GasconsSIWarriorCB2 @ 16
7BretonsUIWarriorJav/Sh3 @ 321
2BombardsARTYWarrior-4 @ 1632
Totals: 525

[Ed. I would opt for at least one and probably two Supply Units with this army as it has a good number of missile units. This would cost a total of 25 points. I always admire those brave souls who do not use priests. Like I've said so many times before, I could use at least four of them most turns!]


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© Copyright 2002 by Terry Gore
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