DBA Armies

This list covers the two medieval states that ended as modern Rumania; the Wallachians from the confirmation of their break from Hungarian rule by the battle of Posada in 1330 until they became vassals of the Ottomans in 1476 after the death of Dracula (Vlad Tepes “Viad the Impaler”); and the Moldavians from their revolt from Hungary in 1359 until the death of Bogdan the One-eyed in 1517. Outsiders thought both nations exceptionally brave, but Moldavians thought themselves better than that! Both exploited bad terrain; Wallachians preferring sudden attacks and ambush, Moldavians stubborn defence followed by a cavalry counterattack. Boyars were the nobility, initially wearing a beehive-shape lynx fur cap, long hair and mustache, a long woolen coat over a striped tunic and long riding boots, armed with bow, curved sword, sometimes a light lance and a round or winged (rectangular extended to a point at the left top) shield; but from 1400 the richest used helmet, plate corslet, heavier lance and winged shield. Viteji “strong men” were former peasants promoted to the gentry who fought as horse archers, probably dressed more like the foot. Most foot were archers depicted in white, red or green tunics, with either a tall sheepskin hat or a sheepskin over-jacket, rarely both. Some belonging to the standing army “curteni” had pavises. Rustici are peasant mobs with mixed or improvised weapons (pitchforks and flaming torches?). Reference: Armies of the Middle Ages Vol 2 1. Heath.