The Scottish Wars against England Male lust and a mole can be blamed for the opening of the Scottish Wars of Independence. The male lust was in the breast of Alexander the Third, The King of
Scots. (Note that the ruler is not King of Scotland but King of Scots.) Alexander had a new French wife, Yolande, and longed throughout the council meeting in
Edinburgh to be back with his wife across the storm lashed Firth of Forth in Fife. Against all advice, Alexander set out for Fife and barely made it across the Forth
by boat before galloping off with two attendants. In the storm the riders lost sight of each other and next morning the body of the king was found at the foot of
the cliffs at Kinghorn. Legend has it that his horse was startled by a mole and both rider and horse fell over the cliff.
The good news was that there was an heir but she was a mere female child and the granddaughter of the King of Norway. Not ideal for a faction driven
Scotland but even this lifeline was lost when the Maid of Norway died shortly after landing in Scotland.
Two factions now contended for the throne namely the Balliols and the Bruces who represented the most powerful noble sin the land. Into this argument came
Edward the First of England who agreed to adjudicate as an honest and impartial broker. To be fair to Edward, his decision to award John Balliol the crown was
probably the right one as he just about had a stronger claim. Edward now, however made his move and had Balliol pledge allegiance to him. This was no doubt
viewed by Balliol as a formality but Edward capitalised by demanding Scots troops to fight in his wars overseas. Balliol eventually put his foot down and
Edward invaded Scotland sacking Berwick ruthlessly and deposing Balliol before assuming the crown as his own. In this he was supported by the Bruces who
were disappointed when he did not pass the crown on to them.
For a while, Edward totally controlled Scotland but gradually small rebellions began to break out. Andrew Moray raised a rebellion in the north while in the
South of the Country a member of the lesser gentry, one William Wallace, raided English garrisons. An English army under Surrey and his hated treasurer for
Scotland, Cressingham, set out to disperse the rebels. At Stirling Bridge, however, the English recklessly crossed the river on a small bridge and the Scots
descended on those who had crossed and wiped them out. Cressingham’s skin was flayed from his body and became a belt for Wallace.
With Moray dead from wounds received at the battle, Wallace was appointed Guardian of Scotland and raided into the North of England. Soon, however,
Edward himself crossed the border in search of the Scottish army. Wallace, at first, carried out a brilliant retreat despoiling the land as he went and it is said that
Edward was on the point of retreat but, receiving reports that the Scottish army was at Falkirk, advanced and brought Wallace to battle before he could retreat.
The combination of longbows and knights won the day for the English. Wallace escaped the field and being stripped of his guardianship acted in an
ambassadorial role on the continent.
Over the next few years there was little to trouble Edward’s rule but then Robert the Bruce, grandson of the man who competed with Balliol for the throne
found himself with a problem. There can be little doubt that Bruce had been manoeuvring for years to get his hands on the crown. He was even prepared to
work with the Balliols. It all went wrong though in a meeting in a churchyard which culminated in Bruce stabbing his Balliol rival to death. Suddenly, Edward
who had found out about his treachery, wanted him dead and in addition he was excommunicated by the church. It was an all or nothing situation and Bruce
had himself proclaimed king.
At first, Bruce tried to fight a noble war but a total defeat at Methven caused him to switch tactics. From now on he fought a guerrilla war for the next eight
years against the invaders. Wallace is often regarded as a guerrilla fighter but it was Bruce who perfected the art. Step by step, he captured and reduced to ruin
all the Scottish castles with the principal exception of Stirling which in 1313 he began to besiege. This final stage was too much for Edward the Second and he
pulled together a massive army to invade Scotland.
Reaching Stirling, Edward knew he had to break through to the castle as this act would by terms of an agreement between the Scots and the governor of the
castle result in the siege being lifted. Unfortunately for him, The Scottish army, which had been drilling for a year for this very moment blocked his path. On the
first day, the English tried to manoeuvre around the Scots but the well drilled schiltrons blocked their efforts. Frustrated Edward moved his army across the
treacherous Bannockburn into a triangle of boggy ground. Told of the low morale in the English camp, Bruce decided to attack. Rather than a battle this was a
massacre with the English squashed together between the Scottish spears and the treacherous stream behind. Edward escaped but his army was virtually
destroyed.
In most histories, Bannockburn in 1314 concludes the wars but these ran on for almost another decade before peace was restored and
Bruce recognised by the English king as being King of Scots. Part of this process in obtaining this result was the Declaration of
Arbroath one of the greatest documents proclaiming the rights of a people to self determination.
The death of Bruce sparked another round of conflict. This time the Balliols supported by the English invaded in an effort to get them
back on the throne. The Scots suffered a horrendous defeat at Halidon Hill which for the first time saw the English utilising dismounted
men at arms and longbows together. This was the winning formula that would be used throughout the Hundred Years war and beyond.
The Scottish and English conflicts continued, with occasional gaps, throughout the next few hundred years with the Scottish spears
generally coming off worse other than the notable exception of Otterburn. Scottish contingents of men at arms and longbows also fought
on the continent supporting the French against the English armies there.
Even with the switch to pikes in 1513, Scottish armies suffered disasters at Flodden and then at Pinkie although certainly in the former case
the Scottish army which was on paper a more modern and better equipped army suffered from the most awful bad luck. Both the weather
and hidden terrain in the form of a ditch contributed to their defeat.
With the accession of James the Sixth of Scotland to the English throne the wars died out in 1603.
Army Commander 1 Any Instinctive Dates 1100-1306
Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Instinctive TERRAIN Standard, Mountains, Forest
allied General 0-1 Galwegian ally - any Instinctive before 1150 Camp Flexible :Poor or Average
Name Type Quality Shooting ProtectionWEAPONRY Characteristics Min
Max
UG
SizeMELEE Mandatory Optional
Mounted KnightsCavalry
Average-
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger Melee Expert 4
4,6Formed Loose - - - - 8
PrickersCavalry
AverageExperienced
UnprotectedShort Spear - - 0
4,6Formed Flexible Javelin - - - 6
SpearmenInfantry
Average-
ProtectedLong Spear Shield wall Caltrops 36
6,8,9Formed Flexible - - - Orb 120
Ettrick ArchersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Unprotected- - - 6
6,8,9Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 16
Skirmishing ArchersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Unprotected- Combat Shy - 0
6,8,9Skirmisher Bow - - - 12
IslemenInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 0
6,8Tribal Flexible Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 8
CatteransInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected- Devastating Charge - 0
6,8Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 24
Feudal Scots
Notes
This list represents the Kingdom of the Scots from 1100AD until the Bruce went into hiding after the Battle of Methven. After this date until 1314 there were
virtually no pitched battles with the Scots restricting themselves to raiding and the taking of castles.
In the late 12th Century there were a number of major battles with Stirling Bridge and Falkirk being the most notable examples. The schiltron at this period was
predominantly a defensive formation and shieldwall is preferred to shove. At Falkirk the schiltrons were surrounded by rope and stake entanglements.
Scottish archers of this period are often denigrated as being poor but in fact suffered from a shortage of numbers rather than not being well skilled.
The Islemen and Catterans must be commanded by their own general who is considered sufficiently integrated not to be an ally but can command no other
troops.
As in their own list Islemen and Catterans may be formed in separate units or in mixed units with one rank of Islemen and one or two ranks of Catterans.
Notes:
Orbs and shieldwall can only be claimed when in close order.
Army Commander 1 Any Instinctive Dates 1000AD - 1500AD
Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Instinctive TERRAIN Coastal, Mountains, Forest
Internal allied General 0-1 Camp Mobile :Poor or Average
Name Type Quality Shooting ProtectionWEAPONRY Characteristics Min
Max
UG
SizeMELEE Mandatory Optional
IslemenInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 24
6,8Tribal Flexible Bow - Shoot and Charge - 60
CatteransInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected- Devastating Charger - 24
6,8Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 60
Skirmishing CatteransInfantry
AverageExperienced
Unprotected - - - 0
6-9Skirmishers Bow - - - 18
Mixed Warriors
IslemenInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 0
3,4Tribal Flexible Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - *
CatteransInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected- Devastating Charger - 0
4,6Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - *
Only before 1300Ad
Irish MercenariesInfantry
Average-
Unprotected 2-Handed Cutting - - 0
6,8Tribal Loose - - - - 18
Galwegian Ally before 1150
Galwegian AlliesInfantry
Average-
Unprotected - Devastating Charger - 0
6,8,9Tribal Loose - - - - 18
Allies
Viking Allies only before 1175
Scots Isles and Highlands
Notes
This list represents the Lordship of the Isles. This was very much a family tribal society which would eventually carry through to the later Clan system. The
clan units historically tended to fight together with the wealthier and better armed men in the front ranks with the lesser tacksmen in the rear. Sometimes the
Catteran elements would be hived off to fight separately or to raid. The bow was prevalent for all. They are classed as devastating chargers due to their
performance at the Battle of Harlaw where they charged forward furiously and are described as driving back the lowland units back a distance of three acres.
The few units of skirmishers are Catterans sent out as skirmishers. These were well trained fighters and did not shrink from hand to hand with other
skirmishers.
Irish in the earlier armies are mercenary types.
*Rather than being in separate TuGs Catterans can form a second and even third rank in the same unit as the Islemen. One rank of Islemen followed by a single
or double rank of Catterans. If this option is taken the TuG will be 3 Islemen & 6 Catterans or 4 Islemen and 4 Catterans. Based taken this way are deducted
from the maximums for that type.
Army Commander 1 Any Instinctive Dates 1272 to 1320
Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Instinctive TERRAIN Standard
allied General 0-1 Any Instinctive Camp Flexible :Poor or Average
Name Type Quality Shooting ProtectionWEAPONRY Characteristics
Min MaxUG
SizeMELEE Mandatory Optional
Mounted KnightsCavalry
Average-
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger Melee Expert 8
4,6Formed Loose - - - - 20
Upgrade KnightsCavalry
Superior-
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0
4,6Formed Loose - - - - up to 1/2
PrickersCavalry
AverageExperienced
UnprotectedShort Spear - - 0
4,6Formed Flexible Javelin - - - 6
SpearmenInfantry
Average-
ProtectedLong Spear Shieldwall - 8
6,8Formed Close - - - - 24
Welsh ArchersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Unprotected- - - 16
6,8Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 24
CrossbowmenInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- - - 0
6Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 6
English ArchersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- - - 0
6,8Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 16
Mounted Crossbowmen
Cavalry Average
ExperiencedProtected
- - - 04,6
Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 6
Irish FootInfantry
Average-
Unprotected2-Handed Cutting - - 0
6,8Tribal Loose - - - - 8
Irish SkirmishersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Unprotected- - Combat Shy 0
6Skirmisher Javelin - - - 6
Plantagenant English
Notes
This represents the army of Edward the First and Edward the Second during the main part of the Scottish Wars of Independence. The army relies on mounted
knights as the main striking force supported by the firepower of Welsh and English archers. This army was victorious at Falkirk but failed badly at Stirling
Bridge and Bannockburn. In both of the latter cases the army was restricted in its deployment area.
The Welsh were often mutinous and the option exists to have them all under the control of an Ally general to reflect this. Indeed at Falkirk this Ally situation
should be compulsory.
Army Commander 1 Professional Legendary Dates 1314
Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Professional TERRAIN Standard, Mountains, Forest
allied General 0-1 Templar Ally - any Professional Camp Flexible :Poor or Average
Name Type Quality Shooting ProtectionWEAPONRY Characteristics Min
Max
UG
SizeMELEE Mandatory Optional
Noble SpearmenInfantry
Superior-
ProtectedLong Spear Shove - *
*Drilled Flexible - - - - *
Keith's horseCavalry
Average-
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger - 4
4,6Formed Loose - - - - 6
SpearmenInfantry
Average-
ProtectedLong Spear Shove Orb 36
6,8,9Drilled Flexible - - - - 120
Ettrick ArchersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Unprotected- - - 6
6,8,9Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 16
The Small FolkInfantry
Average-
UnprotectedDevastating Charger - 6
6,8Tribal Loose - - - - 8
IslemenInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 0
6,8Tribal Flexible Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 8
CatteransInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected- Devastating Charger - 0
6,8Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 16
Templar AlliesCavalry
Exceptional-
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0
2Drilled Loose - Melee Expert - 2
allies
None
Bannockburn Scots
Notes
This is probably a unique list in that it represents the Scottish army during the two days of the Battle of Bannockburn. The Bruce had been continually drilling
the army in the environs of Stirling Castle for almost a year and this was shown during the battle where the schiltrons for almost the first time manoeuvred
offensively. Where in the past this had been a static defensive formation it now became a moving offensive wall and deserves shove rather than shieldwall. The
drilled movement of the formations were best highlighted in the first day when Moray manoeuvred his schiltron out of some heavy woods to head off the
English knights trying to bypass them and relieve Stirling Castle. This pattern continued on the second day with the spears manouvering against mounted
knights
After this battle, the Scots will be back to formed at least until the Flodden army.
The Scots did make use of fieldworks in the battle but did not stay behind them. The pottes or pits were rather used to funnel the English mounted into the
chosen killing ground. I suspect the Scot’s player will have to use terrain to achieve this result.
Scottish archers of this period are often denigrated as being poor but in fact suffered from a shortage of numbers rather than not being well skilled. In common
with the English, the archers would be contingents supplied by noble lords from their retinues. Ettrick archers were particularly praised for their skills.
The Islemen and Catterans must be commanded by their own general who is considered sufficiently integrated not to be an ally but can command no other
troops. As in their own list Islemen and Catterans may be formed in separate units or in mixed units with one rank of Islemen and one or two ranks of
Catterans.
The small folk represent the body described as camp followers who burst over the hill to join in the battle as the tide began to turn in Scotland’s favour. In fact
they may have been the late arrivals to the army who Bruce did not consider well trained enough to take their place in the main battle line. From the point of
view of romance the clump of ferocious peasantry charging in to complete the rout seems better.
Continuing the romance, there is now a body of evidence, expanded on in several books, that the Scottish army contained a small body of Knights Templar.
This religious order had been purged in France in 1307and then subjected to excommunication. Bruce at this time was also excommunicate and is believed to
have offered them lands and refuge in Scotland. In return for this the knights fought in defence of the Scottish realm.
* The noble spearmen represent the Nobles and their dismounted knightly retinues. These are not be deployed in separate TUGs but replace a base in the front
rank of other spear units with no more than 2 bases of nobles in any one spear TUG.
Orbs and shieldwall can only be claimed when in close order.
Army Commander 1 Any Instinctive Dates 1315-1512
Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Instinctive TERRAIN Standard, Mountains, Forest
allied General 1 French Instinctive Any (Only in 1385) Camp Flexible :Poor or Average
Name Type Quality Shooting ProtectionWEAPONRY Characteristics Min
Max
UG
SizeMELEE Mandatory Optional
Noble SpearmenInfantry
Superior-
ProtectedLong Spear Shove Orb *
*Formed Close - - - - *
SpearmenInfantry
Average-
ProtectedLong Spear Shove Orb 36
8,9Formed Close - - - - 120
PrickersCavalry
AverageExperienced
UnprotectedShort Spear - - 0
4,6Formed Flexible Javelin - - - 8
IslemenInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 0
6,8Tribal Flexible Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 8
CatteransInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected- Devastating Charger - 0
6,8Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 16
Only in 1385
French KnightsCavalry
Average- Fully
Armoured
Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 04
Formed Loose - - Melee Expert - 4
French CrossbowsInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- - - 0
4Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 4
Only after 1340
CannonsArtillery
AverageExperienced
-- - - 0
2- Heavy Artillery - - - 4
GunsArtillery
AverageExperienced
-- - - 0
2- Light Artillery - - - 4
Only before 1403 and after 1437
ArchersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- - - 6
6,8,9Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 16
Between 1403 and 1437
ArchersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- - - 6
6,8,9Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 24
Medieval Scots in Britain
Notes
Following the victory at Bannockburn, the Scottish army stuck very rigidly to the offensive use of large spear schiltrons with the nobles in the front rank. The
drilled status of Bannockburn can no longer be claimed nor can the flexible troop categorisation.
During the reign of James the First, the numbers of longbows were increased to match the English tactics but his was a short experiment that seem not to have
outlived this particular reign
As in their own list Islemen and Catterans may be formed in separate units or in mixed units with one rank of Islemen and one or two ranks of Catterans.
Artillery was particularly loved by the Stewart monarchs and increased in numbers during the period.
A small French contingent was sent to Scotland in 1385 but did not really participate in any significant action.
Notes:
* The noble spearmen represent the Nobles and their dismounted knightly retinues. These are not be deployed in separate TUGs but replace a base in the front
rank of other spear units with no more than 2 bases of nobles in any one spear TUG.
Army Commander 1 Any Instinctive Dates 1418-1429
Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Instinctive TERRAIN Standard
allied General Camp Flexible :Poor or Average
Name Type Quality Shooting ProtectionWEAPONRY Characteristics Min
MaxUG Size
MELEE Mandatory Optional
Noble Nobles and Retinue
InfantrySuperior
-Protected
Long Spear Shove - 86,8
Formed Close - - - - 16
Scottish archersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- - - 24
6,8Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 60
French KnightsCavalry
Average- Fully
Armoured
Charging Lancer Devastating Charger Dismountable 84,6
Formed Loose - - Melee Expert - 16
Lesser Mens at ArmsCavalry
Average-
Protected- Devastating Charger Dismountable 0
4,6Formed Loose - - - - 6
French CrossbowsInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- - - 8
6,8Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 16
Genoese CrossbowsInfantry
AverageSkilled
Protected- - Pavise 0
4Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 4
SpearmenInfantry
Average-
ProtectedLight Spear - Shove 0
6,8Formed Close - - - - 8
Ribald and levyInfantry
Poor-
Unprotected - - - 0
8,9,10Tribal Loose - - - - 16
Medieval Scots on the Continent
Notes
This army represents a Scottish army sent to the continent to fight alongside the French. No spears appear to have been sent with all troops either being
dismounted Nobles or archers. In every battle the Scots were supported by significant numbers of French troops. These fought in their own commands but I
have chosen not to treat as allies as cooperation appears to have been very close. Indeed many of the Scottish nobles were given French titles and lands as well
as French military rank.
Troops shown as Scottish cannot be in the same commands as French troops. Artillery can be in any command
Army Commander 1 Any Instinctive Dates 1315-1512
Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Instinctive TERRAIN Standard, Mountains, Forest
allied General 1 French Instinctive Any (Only in 1385) Camp Flexible :Poor or Average
Name Type Quality Shooting ProtectionWEAPONRY Characteristics Min
Max
UG
SizeMELEE Mandatory Optional
NoblesCavalry
Superior- Fully
ArmouredCharging Lancer Devastating Charger - 4
4,6Formed Loose - - - - 8
SpearmenInfantry
Average-
ProtectedLong Spear Shove Orb 24
8,9Formed Close - - - - 60
Town Militia and hastily raised levies
InfantryPoor
-Protected
Long Spear - Orb 208,9
Formed Close - - - - 30
ArchersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- - - 6
6,8Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 12
CatteransInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected- Devastating Charger - 0
6,8Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 8
Medieval Scots Local defence Force
Notes
This army represents a hastily raised Royal force such as that deployed against the Lord of The Isles at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. In this battle, the nobles
fought mounted as highland troops did not traditionally like mounted enemy.On the down side, some levy foot such a town militia spears are compulsory.
Indeed the Provost of Aberdeen was amongst the slain.
The vast majority of highland troops were on the side of the Lord of the Isles but many of the noble with highland estates had their own bodies of Catteran
troops which were deployed on the battlefield
Army Commander 1 Any Professional Dates 1321 to 1499
Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Professional TERRAIN Standard
allied General Camp Flexible :Poor or Average
Name Type Quality Shooting ProtectionWEAPONRY Characteristics
Min MaxUG
SizeMELEE Mandatory Optional
Dismounted Knights and men at arms
InfantryAverage
- Fully Armoured
2-Handed Cutting Shove - 124,6
Formed Close - - - - 24
Upgrade Dismounted Knights
InfantrySuperior
- Fully Armoured
2-Handed Cutting Shove - 04,6
Formed Close - - - - up to 1/2
Retinue bowmenInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- - Stakes 12
6,8Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 40
Upgrade Retinue as Skilled archers
InfantryAverage
SkilledProtected
- - Stakes 06,8
Formed Loose Powerbow - - - up to 1/4
Retinue BillmenInfantry
Average-
Protected2-Handed Cutting Shove Stakes 0
6,8Formed Close - - - - 12
Levy bowmenInfantry
PoorExperienced
Protected- - - 12
6,8Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 40
Levy BillmenInfantry
Poor-
Protected2-Handed Cutting Shove - 0
6,8Formed Close - - - - 24
BorderersCavalry
AverageExperienced
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0
4,6Formed Flexible Crossbow - - - 8
Only from 1330 to 1335
Exiled ScotsInfantry
Average-
ProtectedLong Spear Shove Orb 8
6,8Formed Close - - - - 16
Only from 1400
Heavy ArtilleryArtillery
AverageExperienced
-- - - 0
2- Heavy Artillery - - - 2
Light ArtilleryArtillery
AverageExperienced
-- - - 0
2- Light Artillery - - - 2
Medieval English
Notes
This represents the English army fighting in England and Scotland following the decision to dismount the knights and have them fight on foot to bolster the
longbows. The army has now taken the shape that would make it such a formidable force throughout the period of the Hundred Years War. Although shown
as fighting in England and Scotland it can also be used as an opponent for the Scots on the continent list.
The option to include Scottish exiles reflects English support for the disinherited Balliol faction which invaded Scotland and fought the Battle of Dupplin Moor.
It assumes that the Balliol nobles would have brought some of their own retainers who would have foot in the traditional Scottish schiltron formation.
Army Commander 1 Any Professional Dates 1513
Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Professional TERRAIN Standard, Mountains, Forest
allied General Camp Flexible :Poor or Average
Name Type Quality Shooting ProtectionWEAPONRY Characteristics Min
Max
UG
SizeMELEE Mandatory Optional
Noble PikemenInfantry
Average- Fully
ArmouredPike Shove, Pavise - *
*Drilled Close - - - - *
Common PikemenInfantry
Average-
ProtectedPike Shove - 48
8Drilled Close - - - - 120
BorderersCavalry
AverageExperienced
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger - 6
4,6Formed Flexible Crossbow - - - 12
IslemenInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 0
6,8Tribal Flexible Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 8
CatteransInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected- Devastating Charger - 0
6,8Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 16
CannonsArtillery
AveragePoor
-- - - 4
2- Heavy Artillery - - - 6
GunsArtillery
AveragePoor
-- - - 0
2- Light Artillery - - - 2
allies
None
Flodden Scots
Notes
Another unique list in that it represents the Scottish army during the disastrous engagement at Flodden in England hence the home territory being shown as
England rather than Scotland.
The army is considered drilled in that captains from France were brought over to introduce the use of the pikes to the Scots and also the use of Swiss Keill
tactics. The units manoeuvred fairly well until attempting to come down a steep rain soaked hill with a dirty big ditch at the bottom. They were therefore
thoroughly disorganised when set upon by the more flexible English billmen. This misfortune should not override their classification as drilled and average.
The Scottish pike units should have an entire front rank of nobles who are heavily armoured and carrying pavises with the three remaining ranks being normal
pikemen.
The Scottish army was heavily equipped with artillery but unfortunately the better gunners were attached to the Scottish fleet and the performance of their
land based cousins at Flodden was disappointing to say the least. Handguns were also provided by the French but appears that these did not reach the army
before the battle. Indeed, other than the Islemen, Catterans and artillery, other missile troops seem to be absent probably because they did not fit in with the
steamroller Swiss type tactics of the Scots.
Notes:
As in their own list Islemen and Catterans may be formed in separate units or in mixed units with one rank of Islemen and one or two ranks of Catterans.
At Flodden the Islemen were in the same command as the Borderers and as to represent this they must both be in the same command led by a general who
can command no other troop types
* The noble pikemen represent the Nobles and their dismounted knightly retinues. These are not be deployed in separate TUGs but replace all the front rank
bases of common pikemen TugS, with no more than 2 bases of nobles in any one pikemen TUG.
Army Commander 1 Any Professional Dates 1500-1535
Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Professional TERRAIN Standard
allied General Camp Flexible :Poor or Average
Name Type Quality Shooting ProtectionWEAPONRY Characteristics
Min MaxUG
SizeMELEE Mandatory Optional
Nobles Retinue Billmen
InfantrySuperior
- Fully Armoured
2-Handed Cutting Shove - 84,6
Formed Close - - - - 12
Good Quality Militia Billmen
InfantryAverage
-Protected
2-Handed Cutting Shove - 126,8
Formed Close - - - - 36
Levy Billmen Infantry
Poor-
Protected2-Handed Cutting Shove - 6
6,8Formed Close - - - - 24
Retinue and similar bowmen
InfantryAverage
ExperiencedProtected
- - Stakes 126,8
Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 48
Upgrade Retinue as Skilled archers
InfantryAverage
SkilledProtected
- - Stakes 06,8
Formed Loose Powerbow - - - up to 1/4
Levy BowmenInfantry
PoorUnskilled
Protected- - - 6
6,8Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 24
Levy Northern SpearsInfantry
Poor-
ProtectedLong Spear - Shove 6
6,8Formed Close - - - - 12
BorderersCavalry
AverageExperienced
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0
4,6Formed Flexible Crossbow - - - 6
Demi LancersCavalry
Average-
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0
4Formed Loose - - - - 4
HandgunnersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- - Combat Shy 0
6,8Formed Loose Firearm - - - 6
GunsArtillery
AverageExperienced
-- - - 2
2- Light Artillery - - - 6
allies
None
Henry VIII Northern England (early)
Notes
This represents a force raised in the North of England to combat Scottish incursions and invasions into Scotland in the period 1500 to 1535. It also represents
the English army at the major Battle of Flodden.
This army under the Earl of Surrey is described by most historians as belonging to a bygone age with the bill and longbow of previous generations still being
the prime weapons. It is a mix of good quality retinue troops but bolstered by hastily raised local levy units.
The English army was being modernised by Henry who was also raising mercenary pikemen units etc. All of these units were however more likely to be
abroad with Henry or in the South rather than guarding the Northern frontier.
At Flodden, the English artillery was far less equipped with good quality ordinance than their Scottish counterparts but won the shooting duel hands down
due to their more rapid fire and also the depth of the Scottish pike formations.
Army Commander 1 Any Professional Dates 1514-1550
Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Professional TERRAIN Standard, Mountains, Forest
allied General Camp Flexible :Poor or Average
Name Type Quality Shooting ProtectionWEAPONRY Characteristics Min
Max
UG
SizeMELEE Mandatory Optional
Noble PikemenInfantry
Average- Fully
Armoured
Pike Shove Orb **
Drilled Close - - - - *
Common PikemenInfantry
Average-
ProtectedPike Shove Orb 48
8Drilled Close - - - - 120
BorderersCavalry
AverageExperienced
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger - 6
4,6Formed Flexible Crossbow - - - 18
IslemenInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 0
6,8Tribal Flexible Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 8
CatteransInfantry
AverageUnskilled
Protected- Devastating Charger - 0
6,8Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 16
BowmenInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- - - 0
6,8Formed Loose PowerBow - - - 16
GunsArtillery
AverageExperienced
-- - - 0
2- Light Artillery - - - 2
CannonsArtillery
AverageExperienced
-- - - 2
2- Heavy Artillery - - - 4
Only between 1519-1539
HangunnersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- Combat Shy - 0
6,8Formed Loose Handgun - - - 8
Only After 1539
HangunnersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- Combat Shy - 0
6,8Formed Loose Handgun - - - 16
Regrade BorderersCavalry
AverageExperienced
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger -
all 4,6Formed Flexible Handgun - - -
Post Flodden Scots
Notes
After the disaster at Flodden the Scots persisted in the pike tactics with the nobles still fighting in the front line. The volume of nobles seems to have been less
so Noble elements cannot be in separate TUGS but rather replace common pikemen stands in the front rank of pike units with no more than two stands of
nobles per unit.
As in their own list Islemen and Catterans may be formed in separate units or in mixed units with one rank of Islemen and one or two ranks of Catterans.
The number of handguns and firearms gradually increased during the period.
The most famous battle of the period was Pinkie in 1547 which took part during the conflict in Scotland known as “The Rough Wooing” which was a military
attempt by Henry the VIII to force a dynastic union on the Scots.
* The noble spearmen represent the Nobles and their dismounted knightly retinues. These are not be deployed in separate TUGs but replace a base in the front
rank of common pikemen units with no more than 2 bases of nobles in any one pikemen TUG.
Army Commander 1 Any Professional Dates 1535-1550
Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Professional TERRAIN Standard
allied General Camp Flexible :Poor or Average
Name Type Quality Shooting ProtectionWEAPONRY Characteristics
Min MaxUG
SizeMELEE Mandatory Optional
Nobles Retinue Billmen
InfantrySuperior
- Fully Armoured
2-Handed Cutting Shove - 84,6
Formed Close - - - - 12
Good Quality Militia Billmen
InfantryAverage
-Protected
2-Handed Cutting Shove - 126,8
Formed Close - - - - 36
Retinue and similar bowmen
InfantryAverage
ExperiencedProtected
- - Stakes 126,8
Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 64
Upgrade Retinue as Skilled archers
InfantryAverage
SkilledProtected
- - Stakes 06,8
Formed Loose Powerbow - - - up to 1/4
Gentlemen PensionersCavalry
Superior- Fully
Armoured
Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 02
Formed Loose - - Melee Expert - 2
Boulogne Men at ArmsCavalry
Average- Fully
Armoured
Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 04
Formed Loose - - - - 4
BorderersCavalry
AverageExperienced
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger - 6
4,6Formed Flexible Crossbow - - - 16
Demi LancersCavalry
Average-
ProtectedCharging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0
4Formed Loose - - - - 4
Italian Mounted Harquebusiers
Cavalry Average
ExperiencedProtected
- - - 04,6
Skirmisher Firearm - - - 6
HandgunnersInfantry
AverageExperienced
Protected- - Combat Shy 12
6,8Formed Loose Firearm - - - 18
Light ArtilleryArtillery
AverageExperienced
-- - - 2
2- Light Artillery - - - 6
Heavy ArtilleryArtillery
AverageExperienced
-- - - 2
2- Heavy Artillery - - - 6
Henry VIII Northern England (later)
Notes
This represents a force raised in the North of England to invade Scotland as part of the Rough Wooing which resulted the major battle of Pinkie Cleugh in
1547.
Although thirty years had passed since Flodden the English army was still principally based on the Longbow and Bill combination and as such was still very
much an army behind its time. As an invading force this army had less lower quality units than the Flodden army but was also strengthened by some
Household units such as the gentlemen Pensioners and a force of armoured heavy cavalry from the Boulogne garrison. Mercenary units were also part of the
strength with some Light Horse mounted arquebusiers being worthy of special mention.
Numbers of and the weight of artillery pieces were significantly increased and these were supported by the English fleet whose cannon played a significant part
in the battle.
If the terrain selection results in a water secure flank then the English army can have two of its artillery pieces firing from this flank sector with the range being
measured from the edge of the water feature. A different point can be selected each turn as the point of firing representing the fleet manoeuvring to maximise
the effect of its shooting.