Britannia Divided: Factions

[naut]

The Kingdom of East Anglia

Difficulty: Moderate

East Anglia has several powers to contend with, notably Mercia. However, the arrival of the Vikings must be noted. Opportunities to expand will be few and far between for the East Anglians, so with this in mind Essex and London make prime targets; this would open the doors to Kent and Sussex.

Initial Strategy:
1. Place pressure on Essex
2. Avoid war with Mercia

Positive:
a. Rich provinces
b. Well rounded unit options

Negative:
a. Limited army options early on
b. Surrounded by enemies
c. Little opportunity to expand

Unit List:

Cavalry:

Mounted Eorls
Mounted Eorls are the precursor to the medieval Knight. They are well equipped and trained, and less likely to flee the field than more common troops. The combination of their mobility and their fighting skill makes them a very effective medium cavalry, able to engage all but the heaviest opponents.

Eored
Really just a foot warrior on horseback, these scouts add mobility to the battlefield and are good for chasing down routing troops. Although they are unlikely to dominate the battlefield, in the right place at the right time they can turn the tide of battle.

Infantry:

Huscarles
Huscarles are the professional entourage of a King or Noble. In peacetime they act as a bodyguard and personal staff, and in times of war they are the professional spine of the leader's army. They are an elite chosen from the ranks of the Thegns, armed with swords and Dane-axes (axes in this mod).

Thegns
Thegns are the middle class of Saxon society, land-owners who are required to serve their King or Lord in times of crisis for military obligations, the building of fortifications and civilian matters. In return they receive favour and better arms and armour.

Fyrdmen
Fyrdmen are the men of a levied Fyrd. They combine the lower ranks (available for active duty if needed during a legislated number of weeks each year) and more professional troops (retained on duty rather than only called up at a time of crisis). They act as the rank-and-file of Saxon infantry, but have little in terms of protection other than an iron helm.

Ceorls
Ceorls are the freemen of Saxon society, from which the levies of the Fyrd were gathered from mostly. They are armed with a spear and shield, supplied by their local Lord or Thegn.

Hundrademen
A hundrademan is one of a hundred levied by the reeve to defend the local area and act as policemen and wardens. They are most suitable as garrison troops, and can not be expected to act as a strong core of fighting men.

Acerweras
Literally meaning "farmer band", these men hold more status than a Gebur, but are lower than the Ceorls or Cotsetlas. They can be levied into the Fyrd in times of crisis, or when better men are needed at the front. All they take to the fight is the few farming implements they own.

Missile:

Yrweras
Archery is a survival skill: it helps put food on the table, assuming that the archer isn’t hanged as a poacher! Using the same skill in battle can bring down an armoured man, although short bows are not quite as efficient as true war bows.

Unique:

Gywre Mercenaries
The Celtic lands are noted for the fierceness of their warriors, and have been since ancient times. Gywre Mercenaries make very effective light infantry, and give and effective counter against other Celtic units and fast skirmishing units.