Army Lists - The Wargames Zone Lists Britain after the Romans to the Norman conquest Contents...

Army Lists

Britain after the Romans to the Norman conquest

Contents

Creating an army with the Mortem et Gloriam Army Lists

Historical Introduction

1 Dates0-1 Terrain0-3 Camp

Min

Mandatory Optional Max

- 0 4,6- 6- 0 4,6- 12

Unskilled 36 6,8,9Javelin 100

Experienced 0 4,6Javelin 6




Experienced 8 6,8Darts 24

Only before 429 A.D.

Post-Roman Legionaries Average Protected Short Spear - Melee Expert

Post-Roman Auxilaries Average Protected Short Spear - Melee ExpertFormed Flexible

AlliesSaxon allies - From 430 A.D. to 441 A.D. (Any Instinctive)

INFANTRYFormed Close

INFANTRY

Combat Shy -Skirmisher

SkirmishersINFANTRY

Average Unprotected - - Combat ShySkirmisher

ScoutsCAVALRY

Average Unprotected -

- Combat ShyFormed Flexible

Equites Scutarii AureliaciCAVALRY


PedytINFANTRY

Average Protected Short Spear

- Melee ExpertFormed Loose

EquitesCAVALRY

Average Protected Short Spear - Melee ExpertFormed Loose

Equites ScyriCAVALRY

Average ProtectedCharging

Lancer

Early Post-Roman BritishArmy Commander Any Instinctive 407 A.D. to 469 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Standard

UG SizeTraining and

Internal Allied Generals Any Instinctive Unfortified or Mobile; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

Early Post-Roman BritishHistorical NotesThis list covers both the lowland states of mainland Britain and the continent (Armorica), after the departure the Romans to Gaul in 406. Over time the Roman garrisons of the east and north dwindled. Ambrosias Aurelianus, probably based in the western province Britannia Prima, revolted c. 438 and fought a battle against Vortigern ,who brought in Saxons. In 468, Riothamus King of the Britons sailed with 12,000 warriors to Gaul to aid the last Roman part of Gaul against the Visigoths. Riothamus is a prime candidate as the origin of Geoffrey of Monmouths account of Arthurs continental campaigns, and possibly as Arthur himself. An alternative traditional explanation is that Riothamus was not Arthur, but that renewed Saxon expansion caused the kings to collectively employ a commander named Arthur as leader of a central field force on their behalf. What Riothamus’ army consisted of is unknown, but the field army of the Comes Britanniarum was probably billeted in the cities of the province Britannia Prima (capital at Cirencester). While most units listed under the Comes are duplicated in Gaul or Spain, so may not have returned alter Constantines campaign, others were either destroyed or never left. These were the Equites Catafractarii Iuniores, Equites Syri, Equites Scutarii Aureliaci and the comitatenses legion Primani Iuniores.

1 Dates1-3 Terrain

CampMin


- 0 6,8- 8- 0 6,8,9- 24

Experienced 32 6,8,9Javelin 120


Experienced 0 6Sling 6


Historical NotesIrish sea raiding had been a thorn in the side of the mainland Britain since the 4th century, and settlements were made in Pembroke and Galloway, the latter becoming the kingdom of Dál Riata and bequeathing their tribal name to the future kingdom of Scotland (Scotti). The balance between rival kingdoms in the North and Ireland was transformed in 793 when ferocious Viking raids began on monasteries like Iona and Lindisfarne. Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles eventually fell to the Norsemen. The king of Fortriu, Eógan mac Óengusa, and the king of Dál Riata, Áed mac Boanta, were among the dead after a major defeat to the Vikings in 839. There was also a merger of the Gaelic and Pictish crowns, although its open for debate whether it was a Pictish takeover of Dál Riata, or the other way around. This culminated in the rise of Cínaed mac Ailpín (Kenneth MacAlpin) in the 840s, which brought to power the House of Alpin, who became the leaders of a combined Gaelic-Pictish kingdom.


JavelinmenINFANTRY

Average Unprotected - Combat Shy -Skirmisher

SlingersINFANTRY


- Combat ShyTribal Flexible

Light horseCAVALRY


WarriorsINFANTRY

Average Unprotected Short Spear

Devastating Chargers

-Tribal Flexible

WarriorsINFANTRY

Average Protected -Devastating

ChargersCombat Shy

Tribal Flexible

FiannaINFANTRY

Superior Protected -

Later Scots-IrishArmy Commander Any Instinctive 450 A.D. to 950 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Coastal

UG SizeTraining and

Internal Allied Generals Unfortified; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics


Min


- 0 4,6- 6- 0 4,6- 12

Unskilled 36 6,8,9Javelin 100



NotesA command may not have more than one TUG of cavalry.

Historical NotesArmies after 470 are assumed to be based on each kings small comitatus, initially swordsmen lighting on foot, supported by peasant pedyt. By the time of the Gododdin, the comitatus are mailed cavalry, large shield, thrown and thrust spears and sword.The earliest narrative account of Arthur is Nennius Historia Brittonum, which states that Arthur fought as Dux Bellorum together with the kings of the Britons in 12 battles, culminating in the decisive victory of Badon. The Annales Cambrian appears to date Badon to 518 and Callan, in which it says Arthur perished, to 539.

- Combat ShySkirmisher

AlliesWelsh allies - (Any Instinctive)

JavelinmenINFANTRY


- Combat ShyTribal Flexible

Light cavalryCAVALRY


SpearmenINFANTRY



ComitatusCAVALRY

Superior Protected Short Spear - Melee ExpertFormed Loose

Arthur's Companions (from 495 A.D. to 539 A.D.)

CAVALRYSuperior Protected

Charging Lancer

Middle Post-Roman BritishArmy Commander Any Instinctive 470 A.D. to 579 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Standard

UG SizeTraining and


Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

1 Dates1-3 Terrain

CampMin


- 0 4,6- 6- 0 6,8,9- 24- 24 6,8,9- 96- 0 6,8,9- 12


Experienced 0 6,9Bow 36

AlliesScots-Irish (Any Instinctive)


ArchersINFANTRY


Light horseCAVALRY



Combat ShyTribal Flexible

Attacotti warriorsINFANTRY

Superior Unprotected -Devastating

Chargers-

Tribal Flexible

WarriorsINFANTRY



Best protected warriorsINFANTRY

Average Protected -Devastating

ChargersCombat Shy

Tribal Flexible

CavalryCAVALRY


Later PictishArmy Commander Any Instinctive 500 A.D. to 850 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Mountains

UG SizeTraining and


Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

Later PictishHistorical NotesThis list covers Pictish armies up to the union of the Picts and Scots under Cináed mac Ailpín. The confederation of Pictish tribes that developed north of the Firth of Forth may have stretched up as far as Orkney. It probably developed out of the tribes of the Caledonii (whose name continued to be used for at least part of the confederation), perhaps as a response to the pressure exerted by the presence of the Romans to the south. They first appear in Roman records at the end of the 3rd century as the picti (the painted people: possibly a reference to their habit of tattooing their bodies) when Roman forces campaigned against them. The first identifiable king of the Picts, who seems to have exerted a superior and wide-ranging authority, was Bridei mac Maelchon (r. c. 550–84). His power was based in the kingdom of Fidach, and his base was at the fort of Craig Phadrig, near modern Inverness. After his death, leadership seems to have shifted to the Fortriu, whose lands were centred on Strathearn and Menteith and who raided along the eastern coast into modern England. Christian missionaries from Iona appear to have begun the conversion of the Picts to Christianity from 563.In the 7th century, the Picts acquired Bridei map Beli (671–693) as a king, perhaps imposed by the kingdom of Alt Clut, where his father Beli I and then his brother Eugein I ruled. At this point the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Bernicia was expanding northwards, and the Picts were probably tributary to them until, in 685, Bridei defeated them at the Battle of Dunnichen in Angus, killing their king, Ecgfrith.In the reign of Óengus mac Fergusa (729–761), the Picts appear to have reached the height of their influence, defeating the forces of Dál Riata (and probably making them a tributary), invading Alt Clut and Northumbria, and making the first known peace treaties with the English. Succeeding Pictish kings may have been able to dominate Dál Riata, with Caustantín mac Fergusa (793–820) perhaps placing his son Domnall on the throne from 811.


Min


- 6 6- 18- 4,6- Any- 32 6,8,9- 120- 0 8,9,10- 48



- 0 4,6

- 8

NotesA command may not have more than one TUG of Hird.Internal allies represent another kingdom.

Historical NotesThe Anglo Saxon Kingdoms (Heptarchy) took over much of Britain after the end of Roman rule in the 5th century. Though heptarchy suggests the existence of seven kingdoms, the number fluctuated, as kings contended for supremacy at various times.


AlliesWelsh allies - only Mercian from 632 A.D. to 655 A.D. (Any Instinctive)

Wreocensaete or Magonsete cavalry (Mercian kingdom only)

CAVALRYAverage Protected Short Spear


ScoutsINFANTRY


Saxon archersINFANTRY


- Combat ShyTribal Close

Great FyrdINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected Short Spear - Combat ShyTribal Close

Select FyrdINFANTRY


- -Formed Close

Mount HirdCAVALRY

Superior Protected Short Spear Combat Shy DismountableFormed Loose

HirdINFANTRY

Superior Protected Impact Weapon

Early Anglo-SaxonArmy Commander Any Instinctive 555 A.D. to 700 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Standard

UG SizeTraining and

Internal Allied Generals Any Instinctive Unfortified; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics


Min


- 0 4,6- 18- 36 6,8,9- 100



Historical NotesThis list covers the British kingdoms from 580 onwards including Elmet (annexed by Northumbria in the early 7th century), Goddodin (annexed by Bernicia c. 638), Rheged (annexed by Northumbria in the 8th century), Strathclyde (annexed by the Scots before 1053) and Dumnonia and Cornwall (annexed before 1042).

NotesA command may not have more than one TUG of cavalry.

AlliesViking allies - Only after 937 A.D. (Any Instinctive)


JavelinmenINFANTRY


Light cavalryCAVALRY



SpearmenINFANTRY

Average Protected Short Spear - Combat ShyTribal Close

CavalryCAVALRY

Superior Protected Short Spear

Later Post-Roman BritishArmy Commander Any Instinctive 580 A.D. to 1053 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Standard

UG SizeTraining and


Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics


Min


- 0 4,6- 6- 0 4,6- 6


Experienced 0 6Javelin 18




- 0 6,8,9- 36- 0 6- 18

Viking allies (Any Instinctive)

Regrade spearmen Average Protected -Devastating

ChargersCombat Shy

Tribal Loose

AlliesDublin allies - Norse Irish (Any Instinctive)

Regrade best spearmenINFANTRY

Superior Protected -Devastating

Chargers-

Tribal Loose


INFANTRYOnly before 600 A.D.

Saxon allies - Early Anglo-Saxon or Middle Anglo-Saxon (Any Instinctive)

NotesNo more than one TuG of best spearmen is permitted in each command.

ArchersINFANTRY



JavelinmenINFANTRY


Skirmishing UchelwyrCAVALRY


- Combat ShyTribal Loose

Upgrade best spearmenINFANTRY

Superior Protected Short Spear - -Tribal Loose

SpearmenINFANTRY



UchelwyrCAVALRY

Average Protected Short Spear - Melee ExpertFormed Loose

NoblesCAVALRY


Early WelshArmy Commander Any Instinctive 580 A.D. to 1100 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Mountains

UG SizeTraining and


Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

Early WelshHistorical NotesThe Early Welsh list covers the time from the Roman departure from Wales and the rise of Merfyn Frych to the throne of Gwynedd. In that time there was a gradual consolidation of power into increasingly hierarchical kingdoms. The end of the period is from when the modern England–Wales border would take its near-final form, a line broadly followed by Offa's Dyke, a late eighth-century earthwork. Successful unification into something recognisable as a Welsh state would come in the next era under the descendants of Merfyn Vrych.Wales was divided into a number of separate kingdoms, the largest of these being Gwynedd in northwest Wales and Powys in east Wales. Gwynedd was the most powerful of these kingdoms in the 6th century and 7th century. The seventh and eighth centuries were characterised by ongoing warfare by the northern and eastern Welsh kingdoms against the intruding Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Northumbria and Mercia. From the 8th century on, Wales was by far the largest of the three remnant Brythonic areas in Britain, the other two being the Hen Ogledd (in southern Scotland) and Cornwall.


Min


- 6 6- 18- 32 6,8,9- 120- 0 8,9,10- 48



- 0 4,6

- 8

AlliesViking allies - Only after 1011 A.D. (Any Instinctive)

NotesInternal allies represent another kingdom and are not allowed from 959 A.D.


Wreocensaete or Magonsete cavalry (Mercian kingdom only)

CAVALRYAverage Protected Short Spear - Melee Expert

Formed Loose

ScoutsINFANTRY


Shieldwall Combat ShyTribal Close

Saxon archersINFANTRY


Great FyrdINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected Short Spear

Shieldwall ShoveFormed Close

Select FyrdINFANTRY

Average Protected Short Spear Shieldwall Combat ShyTribal Close

HirdINFANTRY


Middle Anglo-SaxonArmy Commander Any Instinctive 701 A.D. to 1016 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Standard

UG SizeTraining and


Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

Middle Anglo-SaxonHistorical NotesMost of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms came under the overlordship of Egbert of Wessex in 829. This list covers the Kingdoms of Wessex, Mercia, East Anglia and Northumbria from the accession of Edwin of Northumbria until united as England under Edgar in 959, and then under Ethelred the Redeles until the Danish conquest and accession of Knut (King Canute) in 1016.

A considerable increase in the size of Anglo-Saxon shields around the 8th century is assumed to reflect a change to shield-wall tactics. A Saxon boy was given a spear and shield on his 12th birthday, taking his place in the rear ranks or to guard the baggage. Hird include Earls, Thegns, Gesiths and all hearth troops. The Aberlemno stone, believed to depict the battle of Nechtanesmere in 685, shows helmeted cavalry attacking Pictish spearmen.

The end of the Anglo Saxon Kingdoms was a gradual process. The 9th century Viking raids that led to the establishment of a Danish-controlled enclave at York, and ultimately to the Danelaw, gained considerable advantage from the petty rivalries between the old kingdoms. The need to unite against the common enemy was recognised, so that by the time Alfred of Wessex resisted the Danes in the late 9th century, he did so essentially as the leader of an Anglo-Saxon nation. Successive kings of Wessex (and especially Athelstan) progressively reinforced the English unitary state, until, with the simultaneous dissolution of Mercia and submission of Northumbria upon Edgar's succession in 959, the old constituent kingdoms in effect became consolidated into one.

1 Dates1-3 Terrain

CampMin


- 0 6,8,9

- 24

- 0 6,8,9- 24

- 0See note

- 4

- 24 6,8,9

- 96





AlliesCornish allies - Post-Roman British (838 A.D. to 900 A.D.) (Any Instinctive)English Rebel allies - Anglo-Danish (1066 A.D. to 1069 A.D.) (Any Instinctive)Irish allies - (Only in Ireland) (Any Instinctive)Scots allies - Early Scots (1069 A.D.)


Skirmishing archersINFANTRY


Irish kerns (only in Ireland)INFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -

- Combat ShyTribal Loose

Irish warriors (only in Ireland)

INFANTRYAverage Unprotected Short Spear - Combat Shy

Tribal Loose

Seperately dependent archersINFANTRY

Average Protected -

Devastating Chargers, Melee

Expert-

Tribal Close

HirdINFANTRY

Average Protected Short SpearShieldwall,

Integral Shooters

-Tribal Close

BerserkersINFANTRY

Superior Protected -

ShieldwallMelee Expert, Dismountable,

Integral ShootersFormed Flexible

Huscarls (from 900 A.D.)INFANTRY

Superior Protected 2-H Cut-Crush ShieldwallDismountable,


Huscarls (before 900 A.D.)INFANTRY


VikingArmy Commander Any Instinctive 793 A.D. to 1070 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Standard, Coastal

UG SizeTraining and

Internal Allied Generals Unfortified or Fortified; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

VikingNotesUp to three TuGs of Huscarls or Hird may have 1 or 2 bases of berserkers to replace the normal bases. Such a TuG may be subject to forced charges as it contains elements with the Devastating Charge characteristic.

Historical NotesVikings were members of tribes, originally from Scandinavia, of Norse ancestry, who gained a reputation for their raids and piracy in many parts of Europe, especially England, Ireland, and Frankish territories. This list covers the period from 793 AD to the late 11th-century in Europe. In this era Viking activity started with raids on Christian lands in England and eventually expanded to mainland Europe, including parts of present-day Russia. While maritime battles were rare, Viking bands proved very successful in raiding coastal towns and monasteries due to their efficient ships, intimidating war-tactics, skilful hand-to-hand combat, and fearlessness. What started as Viking raids on small towns transformed into the establishment of important agricultural spaces and commercial trading-hubs across Europe through rudimentary colonization. Vikings' tactics in warfare gave them an enormous advantage in successfully raiding (and later colonizing) despite their small population in comparison to that of their enemies.Between 865 and 875 a coalition of Norse warriors known by the Anglo-Saxons as the Great Heathen Army, invaded the four Anglo-Saxon kingdoms that constituted England. It was only when Alfred the Great defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Edington that a treaty was agreed upon, whereby the Vikings were able to remain in control of much of northern and eastern England.


Min


- 0 4,6- 8- 6 6,8,9- 18- 36 6,8,9- 120- 0 4- 4- 0 6,8,9- 27




Historical Notes

AlliesViking allies (Any Instinctive)Post Roman British allies - before 920 A.D. (Any Instinctive)

NotesNo more than one TuG of Thegns is permitted in each command.


JavelinmenINFANTRY


This list represents the first united Kingdom of the Scots. The long spear remains the main weaponry of the army with other arms in supporting roles. Numbers of heavier cavalry have increased and were in due course supplemented by small numbers of Norman knights welcomed into the country during the reign of Macbeth. Wild Galwegian foot were often present and are classed as internal allies. These troops had little protection and were decimated at the Battle of the Standard by missile fire.

ArchersINFANTRY



Combat ShyTribal Loose

Mounted skirmishersCAVALRY


GalwegiansINFANTRY


Shieldwall Orb, Combat ShyTribal Flexible

Knights (only after 1052 A.D.)

CAVALRYAverage Protected

Charging Lancer


SpearmenINFANTRY

Average Protected Long Spear


Scottish ThegnsINFANTRY

Superior Protected Long Spear Shieldwall OrbFormed Close

Mounted warriorsCAVALRY


Early ScotsArmy Commander Any Instinctive 850 A.D. to 1070 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Mountains, Forest

UG SizeTraining and

Internal Allied Generals Galwegian - Any Instinctive Unfortified; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics


Min


- 0 6,8,9- 18


- 0 - Any- 0 6,8,9- 9



Experienced 0 6Bow 6

Experienced 0 6Sling 6

AlliesViking allies (Any Instinctive)

Historical NotesThe Norse are first recorded in Ireland in 795 when they sacked Lambay Island. Sporadic raids then continued until 832, after which they began to build fortified settlements throughout the country. Norse raids continued throughout the tenth century, but resistance to them increased. The Norse established independent kingdoms in Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, Cork and Limerick. These kingdoms did not survive the subsequent Norman invasions, but the towns continued to grow and prosper.The Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland and Henry II's claim to the title of Lord of Ireland effectively spelled the end of the Norse Irish, as a Norman system of government and the dominance of England gradually spread through Ireland.


SlingersINFANTRY


ArchersINFANTRY



LeviesINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected - Combat Shy -Skirmisher

KernsINFANTRY


- -Tribal Loose

MercenariesINFANTRY

Superior Unprotected 2-H Cut-Crush - -Tribal Loose

Upgrade warriors with axeINFANTRY

Average Unprotected 2-H Cut-Crush

ShieldwallDismountable,


WarriorsINFANTRY

Average Unprotected Short Spear - Combat ShyTribal Loose

Nobles and retainersINFANTRY

Superior Protected 2-H Cut-Crush

Norse-IrishArmy Commander Any Instinctive 900 A.D. to 1167 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Coastal

UG SizeTraining and

Internal Allied Generals Any Instinctive Unfortified or Fortified; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

1 Dates1-3 Terrain

CampMin


- 0 6,8,9- 24- 24 6,8,9- 72- 0 6,8,9- 48- 0 10,12- 36- 0 4,6- 6


Experienced 0 6,9Sling 9


AlliesScots Exile allies - Early Scots (1042 A.D. to 1054 A.D.) (Any Instinctive)Viking allies (Any Instinctive)Welsh allies (Any Instinctive)


JavelinmenINFANTRY


SlingersINFANTRY



Melee ExpertFormed Loose

ArchersINFANTRY


Normans (1042 A.D. to 1065 A.D.)

CAVALRYAverage Protected

Charging Lancer

Shieldwall Combat ShyTribal Close

Fyrd dregsINFANTRY

Poor Protected - - Combat ShyTribal Close

Great FyrdINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected Short Spear

ShieldwallDismountable,


Select FyrdINFANTRY

Average Protected Short Spear Shieldwall Combat ShyTribal Close

HuscarlsINFANTRY

Superior Protected 2-H Cut-Crush

Anglo-DanishArmy Commander Any Instinctive 1014 A.D. to 1071 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Standard

UG SizeTraining and


Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

Anglo-Danish

The Danelaw is a historical name given to the part of England in which the laws of the Danes held sway and dominated those of the Anglo-Saxons. From 1016 to 1035, Cnut the Great ruled over a unified English kingdom, itself the product of a resurgent Wessex, as part of his North Sea Empire, together with Denmark, Norway and part of Sweden. Cnut was succeeded in England on his death by his son Harold Harefoot, until he died in 1040, after which another of Cnut's sons, Harthacnut, took the throne. Since Harthacnut was already on the Danish throne, this reunited the North Sea Empire. Harthacnut lived only another two years, and from his death in 1042 until 1066 the monarchy reverted to the English line in the form of Edward the Confessor.Edward died in January 1066 without an obvious successor, and an English nobleman, Harold Godwinson, took the throne. In the autumn of that same year, two rival claimants to the throne led invasions of England in short succession. First, Harald Hardrada of Norway took York in September, but was defeated by Harold at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, in Yorkshire. Then, three weeks later, William of Normandy defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings, in Sussex and in December he accepted the submission of Edgar the Ætheling, last in the line of Anglo-Saxon kings, at Berkhamsted.This list ends at the completion of the Norman Conquest

Historical Notes

Army Lists - The Wargames Zone Lists Britain after the Romans to the Norman conquest Contents...

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