DBA Armies

IV/4 FEUDAL FRENCH 1072 AD - 1330 AD

This list covers the French armies from the rebirth of a strong central monarchy (even though Royal control of the nobility outside the Tle de France remained doubtful) until the transition to plate armour. The knights wore long-sleeved mail hauberks and mail leg-armour was now common. Shields were getting shorter. The less-armoured sergeants forming their rear ranks are assumed to be included in each knight element. Infantry could be drawn up behind as a rallying point, placed on the wings of each cavalry division or sent in front to prepare the charge. Most foot are depicted armed with spear and shield or with mixed 2-handed cutting weapons and without shields, wearing quilted aketons or gambesons and only occasionally with metal armour. Bretons, bidets and bidowers were mercenary javelinmen. Dardiers with 2 heavy javelins specialized in ambushes from difficult terrain. Ribauds were knife-armed looters enthusiastic only in pursuit. Artillery was important in a battle of 1304 against the Flemings. References: Armies of Feudal Europe 1. Heath, Armies of the Middle Ages Vol 11. Heath, Western Warfare in the Age of the Crusades 1000-1300 J. France.

IV/4a — Feudal French Army 1072 AD - 1199 AD

List: 1 x General (3Kn), 3 x knights (3Kn), 2 x communal militia (Sp), 2 x feudal spearmen (Sp) or Low Countries mercenaries (4Pk), 1 x mercenaries (3Kn or 4Cb), 2 x archers (Ps), 1 x bidet, bidower or Breton javelinmen (Ps) or peasant levies (7Hd) or ribauds (SHd) or Frisian sailors (3Pk) or dardiers (4Ax)
Terrain: Arable
Aggression: 1
Enemies:

IV/4b — Feudal French Army 1200 AD - 1330 AD

List: 1 x General (3Kn), 3 x knights (3Kn), 2 x communal militia (Sp), 2 x feudal spearmen (Sp) or mixed weapon foot (4Bd) or Low Countries mercenaries (4Pk), 1 x mercenaries (3Kn or 4Cb), 2 x archers (3Bw or Ps), 1 x bidet, bidower or Breton javelinmen (Ps) or peasant levies (7Hd) or ribauds (SHd) or Frisians (3Pk) or dardiers (4Ax) or stone-throwers or springalds (Art)
Terrain: Arable
Aggression: 1
Enemies:
Allies: III/73b or IV/17