DBA Armies

This list covers the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Wessex, Mercia, East Anglia and Northumbria and minor states from the accession of Edwin of Northumbria in 617, through the wars of Penda of Mercia 634-655, Alfred of Wessex 871-899 and others, until united as England under Edgar in 959; and then under Ethelred the Redeless “dim or ill-advised” until the Danish conquest and the accession of Knut (Canute) in 1016. Hird were thanes and elite followers who wore helmets and mail and owned swords as well as spears. Select fyrd were the best of the spear-armed remainder. A considerable increase in shield diameter around 700 is taken as evidence of a switch to shield-wall tactics. A Boy was given a shield and spear on his 12th birthday. Britons of the West Mercian cantons of the Wreocensaete and Magonsaete and some Northumbrian nobles fought as cavalry. References: Annies of the Dark Ages 1. Heath, The Early Wars of Wessex A. Major, Anglo-Saxon Weapons and Warfare R. Underwood, Kings and Kingdoms of Early Anglo-Saxon England B. Yorke, An Alternative History of Britain: The Anglo- Saxon Age T. Venning, The King of Athelney A. Duggan (novel).