DBA Armies

This list covers Burgundian armies after the reforms of Charles the Bold until the early death of his grandson Philip the Handsome, son of Maximilian I and Mary of Burgundy, after which Burgundy became a possession of the Hapsburgs; from 1521 of the Spanish branch. Like too many wargamers, Charles put much more effort into creating a perfect army with all the new fashionable super troops from all over Europe than in learning how to use it, so was run-over and finally killed in 3 epic battles 1476-7 by simple-minded but aggressive and fast moving Swiss armies. He had replaced the feudal knights that had declined badly during the peaceful, benevolent and economical reign of Philip the Good with French-style ordonnance gendarmes of several nations with rear rank coustilliers assumed to be included in their elements, supported by mounted archers who were mostly longbowmen. Foot archers were English-style longbowmen, who were sometimes fronted by ordonnance pikemen . Many more pikemen were supplied by Low Countries city militia and artillery was plentiful. References: Armies of the Middle Ages Vol 11. Heath, The Burgundian Army of Charles the Bold A. Pacou.