Re: Pike & Musket TW ( XVI-XVII mod) in the RTW
As for correct names, then, if you wish lingually correct, it isn't Gallowglass. Gallowglass is actually Anglicized from Galloglaich, Galloglaidh, or Galloglahaidh. It means 'Foreign Warrior', but implies the warrior is of a Gaelic extension. Gallowglass were mercenaries, after all, from the Hebrides. The Scots employed them too, and so did the English from time to time.
Even if the Irish are rebels, I'd like to see them with proper units, that'd be pleasing enough. And if ever some new factions could be added, and there were space, it'd be nice to see them added, but I know they wouldn't be near the top of the list, there are plenty of more important factions to be used before hand. A good thing, though, for many Irish units, is that they were mercenaries. Perhaps they could be implemented that way? The French and Spanish, as mentioned, used Irish soldiers (and commanders, to quite a good effect, especially against the English, as the Irish rather vehemently hated them), so having them hireable as mercs in Spain or France may be done? Or, alternatively, have ancillaries that the Spanish and French can get? Like an 'Irish retainer', who'd provide a command bonus against the English maybe? Or, maybe, at least, some Irish surnames for Spanish/French commanders, representing the presence of Irish nobles in their armies. I know it's all a nitpick, but it is a historically accurate nitpick.
At the very least, I hope it can be made so 'rebels' appear often in Ireland, though I wish that could be based on the faction controlling it. The Irish were actually vaguelly willing to submit to a French king at one point, and were less rebellious under a Scottish ruler, but they rebelled nigh constantly under English rule. It's a pity that can't be simulated (at least, I don't think so).
I'm also aware finding the proper names for types of Irish soldiers at the time is a severe pain. There is very little written about the various gunpowder units employed by the Irish. However, an interesting provinicial unit for whoever is in control of Ireland may be Enniskillen Fusiliers. They actually wore what was essentially a prototype bullet proof vest, made of leather, padding, a chain shirt, and then another layer of padding. Enniskillen is in Ulster, if there is more than one Irish province it should be confined to the north/eastern portion, if used, but it would be unique, rather than just another rifleman.
My recommendations for what to use for the Irish rebels then, would probably be:
Kerns, as they were the basic soldiers employed by the Irish
Galloglaidh, I recommend this spelling only because it's from my dialect, any of the others would be fine, but for lingual correctness, I'd not use Gallowglass. They'll also do the work of the Claghcach I noted, I'd also have them available as mercenaries in Ireland, Scotland, and England
Hobilars, basic cavalry of the Irish in this period, but not light cavalry, that's a mistake. They rode ponies, but were well armored and well trained. They throw javelins before charging with their lance.
Taghhoba, mounted riflemen, also on hobby ponies, wearing padding, with an iron helmet
Oaghancocharan, actually, maybe as mercs, the Spanish and French used them to ambush enemies in forests, as they were used to hiding in trees for days at a time, and excellent marksmen, they would would be a threat to British patrols until the Irish free state came about, Michael Collins actually recruited some of them (since they operated, largely indepedent of any resistance movements, they just hated the British, one of them is actually likely who killed Collins).
Omacach, just because they seem unique, I've not heard of many similar types of soldiers, and they were responsible for maintaining the indepence of a few of the aforementioned pockets, from British rule. Pretty efficient soldiers at the time, since their shields could stop a musket ball, they had good sword fighting skills, and their pistol would loosen up the enemy formation before their charge. The areas that employed them ended up being largely ignored, because, in a victory over them, at the period, you were almost guaranteed a great deal of casualties, and that was just not worth it most of the time.
Also, include the Taghcach, just Irish musketeers, and Raohcach, the Irish fusiliers. Nothing particularly special or different about them, just reskinned, or made into mercenaries, but important to note is Irish clothing, they wore long shirts that stopped at the knee, called a leine, the same clothing they had for over a millenium, by this time, the more advanced soldiers (such as Galloglaidh and Hobilar) wore cloaks and capes, as well as trews, checkered pants, or chainmaille leggings (if they wore chain). The Irish still used war cries (and some units in the Irish Army today are still taught them, proper stances for shouting them, etc., but that's a tradition thing). If recording new sounds, and wanting to use a war cry or two, some common ones by this point included the famous 'Eireann Go Bragh' (shouted at the top of their lungs, this was used by just about any Irish soldiers, including those in the service of other nations), 'Bas och náire' = 'Death and disgrace', was popular with guerillas who would scream it at foreign enemies.
I'm aware not all, or even most of these suggestions and this information will/can be used, but I hope enough of it can be used, and that it is helpful. I'm aware there are many constraints, and so I hardly expect all or most of it, but I hope this helps.
Re: Pike & Musket TW ( XVI-XVII mod) in the RTW
Originally Posted by SwordsMaster
Re: Pike & Musket TW ( XVI-XVII mod) in the RTW
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