56. MEDIEVAL GERMAN PRINCES: EARLY 12TH TO LATE 15TH.
The Medieval German armies were made up of various local troops from principalities which paid nominal loyalty to the Holy Roman Emperor. The mainstay of German armies continued to be the lance-armed wedging knight. The militia foot, which were drawn from the German cities, were of little use unless placed in a defensive position. There were quality foot, however, as well, notably the Swabian swordsmen and mercenaries. Under Emperor Otto IV, they were the losers to the French at the pivotal Battle of Bouvines in 1214.
The Germans learned to utilize horse archers, using Hungarians as well as mounted trained crossbowmen to support the knights in their attacks. The standard tactics were to hold with the foot in the center, allowing the knights to ride through them to charge as well as retire back through them in retreat. The Swabians and mercenary foot could anchor one flank while knights and light cavalry attacked the other. Generalship sometimes proved more of a hindrence than a help. At Tagliacozzo in 1268, 6,000 Germans under Frederick of Austria fought 3-5,000 French-Italians under Charles I of Naples. The Germans did not bother to scout the battlefield and were surprised by a concealed division of 1,000 men which attacked their rear, effectively surrounding them.
This is a good army for the tough-minded gamer, but can be a problem for beginners.
1-5 CiC/Generals, FMC Veteran, L/Sh, 3 @ 54/39
6-18 Feudal Knights, FMC Veteran, L/Sh, 3 @ 14
6-18 Imperial Knights, FMC Warriors(T), L/Sh, 3 @ 13
-8 Hungarian Cavalry, SC Warriors, Bow, 2 @ 3
-4 Halberdiers, HI Warriors(T), Hal/Pa, 4 @ 7
8-16* Militia Spearmen, LAI Poor(T), LSp/Sh, 4 @ 5
4-8* Militia Crossbows, LAI Poor (T), CB, 4 @ 4
-12 Militia Archers, SI Warriors(T), Bow, 2 @ 2
-24 Heerban, UI Warriors, LSp/Sh, 4 @ 4
-8 Mounted Crossbows, SC Warriors(T), CB, 2 @ 4
-6 Mercenary Spearmen, HI Warriors(T), LSp/Sh, 4 @ 7
-8 Swabian Swordsmen, HI Warriors, Axe/Sh, 4 @ 6
After Late 14th
4-8 Handgunners, HI Warriors(T), HG/Pa, 4 loose @ 7
All -Upgrade Knights to AC @ +2
-1/2 -Upgrade AC to FPC @ +2
All -Upgrade Mercenary Spear to 1/4 Hal, rest P @ + 0
All -Upgrade Militia Spear to Pike no shield @ -1
All -Upgrade Mtd. CB to HG @ + 0
Note: Any Knights may use Wedge. Militia LAI may be in mixed units. Knights and (T) close order foot may use Crusader Mixed Order.
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