Gallowglass: Who were they?

[AgentBif]

One of my favorite units available to the English are the Gallowglass. With a rear attack in wedge formation they absolutely shred spears and other infantry. It's nice to always have one or two of them available on reserve to collapse the flanks once the melee begins. And they are cheap!

But I have never heard of them and am curious what the history is behind this unit... Who were they? What kind of gear did they employ? Were there any well recorded battles they were involved in? How did they perform?

bif

[Ddraig_goch]

There's some interesting info here: http://www.cisl.ie/mars/rory/gallowglass.htm

Especially on the origins of some of the 'Scottish' clans.

Otherwise...google it...It's our friend you know


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"Don't be disgusting Darling!! I wouldn't lick a German if he were glazed in honey!"
Gen Melchett
Blackadder goes fourth

[Tora]

Beat me to it http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif

Interestingly - or not - the first mention of them is 1247 although you can crank them out in the High Period by 1226.

They're also buildable in the Early game. Even after building a shipbuilder, ships, invading Ireland and building the necessary facilities it may be possible to produce them in the 12th century.

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"The last time I saw your father, he'd just charged Constantinople when they shut the gates on him.....
Ten thousand of the Turks were there armed with scimitars, and your father with a small knife for peeling fruit."

Blackadder 1.

[Veiny Eyeball]

They seem to do well in a '2' deep formation. Maximises their um, swordpower.

[Ddraig_goch]

I haven't used them yet, I conquered Ireland late due to the Scots constantly rebelling and some minor misunderstandings with the pope that required me beating off (no jokes please) several Crusades. However, now it's 1211, and I am the richest, with the most powerful squaddies. The highlanders have been my light shock units up until now, any suggestions as to anything better? Are the Gallowglasses worth it? I'm England on Hard

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"Don't be disgusting Darling!! I wouldn't lick a German if he were glazed in honey!"
Gen Melchett
Blackadder goes fourth