DBA Armies

III/73 COMMUNAL ITALIAN 1029 AD - 1320 AD

This list covers Italian city states until the rise of the condottieri. Communal troops were city militia who drilled part-time and were usually uniformed and fought under the banner of their city quarter or guild. Contadini were the (generally distrusted) feudal gentry of the surrounding countryside and their followers. By 1150 knights would be in complete armour. Berrovieri were mercenary light horse with sword and shield and often crossbow. 8Cb are double-depth elements with a row of crossbowmen behind a row with spear and pavise. Plaustrella were man-pushed carts with scythe blades and frontal shield used by Milan in 1169. Neither these nor conventional war wagons used later achieved great success, but they look pretty on the table. References: Armies of Feudal Europe Ian Heath, Armies of the Middle Ages Vol 11. Heath.

III/73a — Communal Italian Army 1029 AD - 1150 AD

List: 1 x General on horseback (3Kn) or with Carroccio standard wagon (CWg), 1 x communal or contadini knights (3Kn), 6 x communal spearmen (Sp), 2 x communal crossbowmen (4Cb) or archers (Ps), 2 x Contadini infantry (7Hd)
Terrain: Arable
Aggression: 2
Enemies:
Allies: III/53 or IV/13a

III/73b — Communal Italian Army 1151 AD - 1320 AD

List: 1 x General on horseback (3Kn) or with Carroccio standard wagon (CWg), 1 x communal or contadini knights (3Kn), 1 x mercenary knights (3Kn) or Berrovieri (LH), 2 x communal spearmen (Sp), 2 x communal spearmen (Sp) or javelinmen (4Ax), 2 x communal crossbowmen (4Cb or 8Cb), 2 x Contadini foot (7Hd), 1 x plaustrella or other war wagons (WWg) or mercenary knights (3Kn) or archers (Ps)
Terrain: Arable
Aggression: 2
Enemies:
Allies: IV/13b