DBA Armies

This list covers English armies from the Danish conquest of 1014 until the completion of the Norman conquest. Its main focus is defence against Welsh invasions, Harold Godwinson’s campaigns in Wales and Harold Hardrada’s invasion from Norway and the invasion by William of Normandy that culminated in the battle of Hastings. Scots exile allies enable it to be used for Siward of Northumbria’s campaign again against Macbeth; and Welsh allies for punitive expeditions into Wales. Huscarls were professional royal bodyguards wearing acorn helmets and long mail shirts, having long kite-shaped shields and fighting with long axes swung 2-handed. Select fyrd were nobles, thanes and their best equipped followers, often similarly armoured but fighting with spear and sword and a few traditionalists keeping the old convex round shield. Great fyrd were the remaining levies, mostly unarmoured and with round shields and less rigidly under control, so best simulated by 7Hd. At Hastings they pursued rashly off their hill. References: Armies of the Dark Ages 1. Heath, An Alternative History of Britain: The Anglo-Saxon Age T. Venning, The Battle of Hastings S. Morillo (which includes monochrome illustrations of the Bayeux tapestry), The Cunning of the Dove A. Duggan (novel), www.bayeauxtapestry.org.uk for coloured images of the tapestry.