Unit descriptions

Here are unit descriptions for the Kalmar Union-specific troops.
Likely be be changed a little from time to time.


Spiwdmenn (Spearmen) are militia organized by local authority. These troops don't use shields, since they are fond of using large polearms, primarily the long spear. They prefer to fight in a forest, where their flanks can be protected more easily than on an open field, as the long reach of their weapons give them a good chance of defeating head-on cavalry charges, but a flanking attack will send them running from the battlefield.


Armborstskiwder (Crossbowmen) are militia organized by local authority. These troops use simple crossbows made of wood and bone, some of which might even have been built as hunting weapons. They function well in guerrilla warfare, being able to shoot the enemy from hiding, especially in the deep and dark Scandinavian forests. However, they are also useful in conventional warfare. Placed in front of spearmen in a tight but shallow formation, they can soften the enemy and then retreat behind the spears when the enemy charges.


Wepnere (Squires) are mighty landowners who are exempt from tax, because they stand ready to fight in full armour on horse. They also bring retainers, often as well armoured as themselves. Lance and sword are the most popular weapons, but maces, hammers and axes are also used. Often they carry several weapons, for example both a lance, a long-handled sword and a hammer. \n
Used correctly, for example in ambush or by skillful manoeuvring on the open field, they can defeat ten times their number in militia. \n
The Wepnere families form the warrior class, until they are replaced in the 16th century by a hereditary nobility made up by mostly the same people. Those 16th century nobles are called Rostjenste in war, and fights with lance and in heavy armour until late 16th century when they change to pistols and wear a little lighter armour.

Landryttere medt sadelrør (National horsemen with pistols) are drawn from well-to-do landowners, who are paid to stand ready to fight in the same way as the German reiter - with pistol and sword in medium armour on horse. These troops could make up half the soldiers of an invasion army. They move in a square formation, unlike earlier cavalry. The squadrons should have enough space between eachother that a unit can pass between them, and even more space to the one behind. They move in a square formation, and are trained in the caracole, where the soldiers of each rank fire their pistols and then ride to the back of the squadron. Pistols are inaccurate guns, and therefore used at only a few meters distance.


Landryttere medt lange rør (National horsemen with carbines) are drawn from well-to-do landowners, who are paid to stand ready to fight in the same way as the German reiter - with pistol and sword in medium armour on horse. However, they also carry carbines, and thus fire from a longer distance than those with only pistols. The longer distance also makes them less prone to charge, and they should be utilized as mobile skirmishers. They move in a square formation, and are trained in the caracole, where the soldiers of each rank fire their guns and then ride to the back of the squadron.


Pikenerere (Pikemen) are a 16th century unit, armed with pikes. Battles between France and the states of the Holy Roman Empire had shown that well-trained soldiers armed with pikes could win against cavalry, something no infantry before them had been able to do with any sort of consistency. In Scandinavia the pikemen are generally better and more disciplined than the earlier types of militia, and are capable of defeating both cavalry and shooters. They cannot, however, be expected to stand up against mounted troops with projectile weapons, unless supported by shooters.


Hellebaardierer (Halberdiers) are militia organized by local authority. These troops don't use shields, since they are fond of using large polearms. The halberd, a type of longhandled axe, is not as common as the spear or pike, perhaps because it's not as useful in the tight infantry formations commonly used. \n
Unlike the spear, the halberd stayed in use after the pike was widely adopted.


Riddere (Knights) are wepnere who have been dubbed by the king, usually for valour in battle. The royal family usually hands over the command of their armies to loyal knights, but sometimes the king choose to lead an army personally, in which case he surrounds himself by a group of heavily armed horsemen and directs his army from behind the front line.


Armborstrytteri (Crossbow cavalry) are light cavalry armed with light crossbows. They can be useful in pickets and for scouting, since they can shoot back at enemy ambushers. They are not very useful in battle however, and are therefore not a common troop type.


Lett rytteri (Light cavalry) are mounted militia, or a cheap type of retainer for a noble. These troops are poorly trained and equipped compared to the heavy cavalry, but their mobility makes them tactically useful, and their charge can still shake the enemy lines. \n
Shields were not common in Scandinavia in the 15th and 16th centuries, but they existed, both among the infantry and the light cavalry. Both one-handed swords and knives were used by the light troops. The knives used for war are shorter than swords on average, but not shorter than daggers, and their usefulness lies in their stronger cut.