DBA Armies

This list covers the lowland states of mainland Britain and Armorica (modern Brittany). When the Germans invaded across the Rhine into Gaul in 406, Roman Britain was cut-off from the central imperial administration in Italy. After a brief period of upheaval, Constantine III was proclaimed emperor in Britain and took the field army to Gaul, leaving the British garrison troops behind. Although successful at quelling the invaders, he was attacked by the army of Honorius as a rebel and ultimately defeated. Honorius then sent a rescript telling the British local authorities to govern themselves. The split was not intended to be permanent and there may have been a temporary partial reoccupation in 417 which could not be maintained due to local intransigence. Powerful magnates took over the running of their local city and garrison commanders may also have become de facto rulers of their local area, gradually evolving into petty kings. Britannia Prima, the western province, maintained some Roman organisation and city life until the late 460s. As kingdoms evolved they started to quarrel and external threats from Irish and Picts continued. A ruler named in several texts as Vortigern called in Saxon foederati and settled them in modern Kent, where they rebelled and established their own expansionist kingdom. This example was followed by other invaders (Angles in the north-east and Saxons in the south), who made war on the British kingdoms. All the evidence suggests that the Anglo-Saxon conquest of Angle-land was a slow process with many setbacks which demonstrate the existence of British opposition under British leaders (probably including Arthur). The Saxon conquest at first advanced rapidly from the south-east, then slowed as opposition increased. The lowland cities of former Britannia Prima fell between 522 and 577, York in 580 and Dumnonia in the south-west was reduced to Cornwall around 800, which also ended the Armorican connection. The list ends with the incorporation of the northern British kingdom of Alt Clut (Strathclyde) in Scotland. This is a period which is still riven by controversy, for which there are few contemporary sources and much speculation. Vortigern continued in power as late as St Germanus’ visit in 446 and fought against Ambrosius Aurelianus (described as “the last of the Romans”) alleged in later accounts to be the uncle of Arthur. There is also documentary evidence for Riothamus “King of the Britons” who led an army to Gaul in 468 to help Syagrius (the ruler of a remnant Roman state in Gaul) against the Visigoths. He is last mentioned retreating towards the Gallic town of Avalon and itis likely that Geoffrey of Monmouth’s account of King Arthur’s continental campaigns is based on Riothamus. We assume that the army was initially composed of the Roman limitani legiones, old auxiliary alae and cohortes and newer vexillationes and numeri of the garrison troops of the Comes Litoris Saxonici and Dux Britanniarum, but that these were initially supplemented, then replaced by ruler’s bodyguards “comitatus” and town militias, then by infantry levies “pedyt” and noble cavalry. Many Alans settled in Armorica, but eventually took up javelins in place of their bows. A few may have had Sarmatian-style horse armour. Although there are many hypothetical reconstructions of later British warriors, the only near contemporary descriptions are of noble cavalry with yellow crested helmet, mail corslet, javelins, sword and white shield on swift unarmoured horses. References: Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome P. Barker, Armies of the Dark Ages 1. Heath, History of the Kings of Britain Nennius, Britannia Prima R. White, The Age of Arthur J. Morris, The Discovery of King Arthur G. Ashe, Civitas to Kingdom K.R. Dark, An Age of Tyrants C.A. Snyder, Lords of Battle S.S. Evans, The Little Emperors A. Duggan (novel), Conscience of the King A. Duggan (novel), The Badon Parchments J. Masefield (novel), Artorius Rex J. Gloag (novel), Men Went to Cattraetlr J. James (novel), Sword at Sunset R Sutcliffe (novel).