Historical Data for Bi??

[MAt]

OK.

There are numerous threads rubbishing this new Catholic priest as not just ahistorical but something that belongs in a fantasy rpg. Now I know that a lot of people are just joking, but there are some people who seem actually convinced straight away that this unit is absolutely categorically wrong.

What I'd genuinely be interested in is if anybody has any proof that this unit is a "fantasy unit".

I had always assumed the Catholic faith was the official faith of the Roman Empire east & west before 1053... or 1058... or whenever the Great Schism was. So the name 'Catholic Priest' is entirely fair enough right?

And why is it so unreasonable to suggest that chaplains may have been present on the battlefield behind the front line of a Roman army?

What would you say that any sort of unit like that should look like?

So please, all of you that are certain that CA are pulling units out of thin air, enlighten me. Seriously... Im not having a go or anything, Im just suprised that without any actual proof you can be so convinced that this unit is a total work of fiction... Im as aware as everyone else how other units in rtw have been represented but honestly dont see where the hostility is coming from with this one.

[King of Atlantis]

Sure catholic priest were at battles, but they never fought in them. There are a few times were a certain preist did fight, but would be in desperation. Preist should be represented as druids are in R:TR, alongside standard bearers, or not even there at all.

Can you imagine rome ever sendind a troop of priest to fight the Huns?

BTw, Welcome to the Org!

[MAt]

Sure catholic priest were at battles, but they never fought in them. There are a few times were a certain preist did fight, but would be in desperation. Preist should be represented as druids are in R:TR, alongside standard bearers, or not even there at all.

Can you imagine rome ever sendind a troop of priest to fight the Huns?

BTw, Welcome to the Org!

Hey thanks!

From what I read on the unit description thats exactly how theyre represented in the game... hence my confusion at the backlash...

[King of Atlantis]

The will be represented in the game as a unit of 60 men, just like druids i presume.

Were serious about historical accuracy at the org.

[Intrepid Sidekick]

Only 12 men in the unit.
And it's not anywhere near as tough as the Druids.
They are Priests. They help encourage the troops, no more.

[Zizka]

actually the priest at that time, as well as their followers were pretty aggressive. Many of the Bishops were hard military men and many had been warriors/soldiers at one time. The tradition of the priests aiding in combat continues through the early middle ages. The pope's legate in the first crudes crouched a lance as well or better than many of the knights.

This unit is very feasable and far from fantasy. Everyone decries the wardogs as well as being fantasy, they weren't wide spread but in the time period of BI the Saxon, Angles, Jutes, and Fanks on the continent used large mastifs to break up shield walls.

Armies about this time were starting to take on the look or the medieval armies, and looked more like a circus than an army. There were often more onlookers at battles than the actual combatants. Small bands of priests were present, often marching unarmed and carrying a cross at the front of armed units. CA may have gotten a few things wrong one a few units (the screaming women of the germans were strong light infantry, but the women of the barbarian tribes moved with their men and would have urged them on in battle.) so give them a break. Good grief. Hell if they were making it 'real' then you would have to outfit each army with cooks, whores, wagons, and various other camp followers.

[Horatius]

Sure catholic priest were at battles, but they never fought in them. There are a few times were a certain preist did fight, but would be in desperation. Preist should be represented as druids are in R:TR, alongside standard bearers, or not even there at all.

Can you imagine rome ever sendind a troop of priest to fight the Huns?

BTw, Welcome to the Org!

Clearly you have never read the story of St Leo (Pope Leo III) and Atilla the Hun.

The idea that it was a Saint Pope that defeated the Huns (Pope Leo is often depicted in the christian stories about it as arriving heroicly victorious hun camp declaring to Attilla that God shall kill him if he does not cease at once, then St peter and St Paul came down and threatened to strike down the Hun King at which point Leo chases the Huns away from Rome, one of the best mosaics in the Vatican depicts that scene).


Also don't downplay the fact that there were often times were priests fought. Around this time period Gregory of Tours was scolded for "Going to war with the earthly shield instead of the holy sign of the cross of our lord". It was out of the ordinary, but on occassion it did happen.