DBA Armies

This list covers free companies made redundant by the truce of Bordeaux, the Treaty of Bretigny and later the truce of Tours. It represents army-sized accumulations assembling for major looting expeditions. Many returned to national service when war resumed, but others moved to Italy; including the English “White Company” under Hawkwood and the German “Company of the Star” under Sterz. In 1444, the French king Charles VII hired 40,000 surplus soldiers of both sides (the “Armagnacs”) to Frederick II of Austria to fight the Swiss. References: Armies of the Middle Ages Vol 1 1. Heath, Hawkwood in Paris H. Cole (novel).