DBA Armies

This list covers the Armorican/ Breton armies of modern Brittany from the end of the Sub-Roman British connection until their assimilation to the Norman-French military system. The Alan foederati settled in Armorica had been Christianised and assimilated into the population. The date for the changeover to an all-cavalry army is conjectural, but a British immigrant is credited with popularising horse racing and later battle accounts mention only cavalry; though Breton foot javelinmen appear elsewhere later as mercenaries. Alan horsemen now used javelins instead of bows and continued to use them after neighbours had switched to charging with the lance. Regino of Prum writing 906-909 describes their tactics as similar to those of the Magyars. The Bretons at Hastings in 1066, although depicted identically to Norman knights, were the first to try a feigned flight. The Saxon contingent that helped against the Franks in 590 were disguised in Breton clothes and haircuts and hidden among peasants. Reference: Armies of the Dark Ages 1. Heath.