<<

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 but King of Scots.) Alexander had a new French wife, Yolande, and longed throughout the council meeting in to be back with his wife across the storm lashed 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 , raided English garrisons. An English army under Surrey and his hated treasurer for Scotland, Cressingham, set out to disperse the rebels. At 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 , 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 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.

Feudal Scots 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

WEAPONRY Characteristics Min UG Name Type Quality Shooting Protection MELEE Mandatory Optional Max Size - Charging Lancer Devastating Charger Melee Expert 4 Mounted Knights Average Protected 4,6 Formed Loose - - - - 8 Cavalry Experienced Short - - 0 Prickers Average Unprotected 4,6 Formed Flexible Javelin - - - 6 Infantry - Long Spear Caltrops 36 Spearmen Average Protected 6,8,9 Formed Flexible - - - Orb 120 Infantry Experienced - - - 6 Ettrick Archers Average Unprotected 6,8,9 Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 16 Infantry Experienced - Combat Shy - 0 Skirmishing Archers Average Unprotected 6,8,9 Skirmisher Bow - - - 12 Infantry Unskilled 2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 0 Islemen Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Flexible Powerbow - Shoot and - 8 Infantry Unskilled - Devastating Charge - 0 Catterans Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 24 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.

Scots Isles and Highlands 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

WEAPONRY Characteristics Min UG Name Type Quality Shooting Protection MELEE Mandatory Optional Max Size Infantry Unskilled 2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 24 Islemen Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Flexible Bow - Shoot and Charge - 60 Infantry Unskilled - Devastating Charger - 24 Catterans Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 60 Infantry Experienced - - - 0 Skirmishing Catterans Average Unprotected 6-9 Skirmishers Bow - - - 18

Mixed Warriors Infantry Unskilled 2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 0 Islemen Average Protected 3,4 Tribal Flexible Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - * Infantry Unskilled - Devastating Charger - 0 Catterans Average Protected 4,6 Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - *

Only before 1300Ad Infantry - 2-Handed Cutting - - 0 Irish Mercenaries Average Unprotected 6,8 Tribal Loose - - - - 18

Galwegian Ally before 1150 Infantry - - Devastating Charger - 0 Galwegian Allies Average Unprotected 6,8,9 Tribal Loose - - - - 18

Allies Viking Allies only before 1175

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 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. Plantagenant English

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

WEAPONRY Characteristics UG Name Type Quality Shooting Protection Min Max MELEE Mandatory Optional Size Cavalry - Charging Lancer Devastating Charger Melee Expert 8 Mounted Knights Average Protected 4,6 Formed Loose - - - - 20 Cavalry - Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0 Upgrade Knights Superior Protected 4,6 Formed Loose - - - - up to 1/2 Cavalry Experienced Short Spear - - 0 Prickers Average Unprotected 4,6 Formed Flexible Javelin - - - 6 Infantry - Long Spear Shieldwall - 8 Spearmen Average Protected 6,8 Formed Close - - - - 24 Infantry Experienced - - - 16 Welsh Archers Average Unprotected 6,8 Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 24 Infantry Experienced - - - 0 Crossbowmen Average Protected 6 Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 6 Infantry Experienced - - - 0 English Archers Average Protected 6,8 Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 16 Mounted Cavalry Experienced - - - 0 Average Protected 4,6 Crossbowmen Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 6 Infantry - 2-Handed Cutting - - 0 Irish Foot Average Unprotected 6,8 Tribal Loose - - - - 8 Infantry Experienced - - Combat Shy 0 Irish Skirmishers Average Unprotected 6 Skirmisher Javelin - - - 6 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.

Bannockburn Scots 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

WEAPONRY Characteristics Min UG Name Type Quality Shooting Protection MELEE Mandatory Optional Max Size Infantry - Long Spear Shove - * Noble Spearmen Superior Protected * Drilled Flexible - - - - * Cavalry - Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 4 Keith's horse Average Protected 4,6 Formed Loose - - - - 6 Infantry - Long Spear Shove Orb 36 Spearmen Average Protected 6,8,9 Drilled Flexible - - - - 120 Infantry Experienced - - - 6 Ettrick Archers Average Unprotected 6,8,9 Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 16 Infantry - Devastating Charger - 6 The Small Folk Average Unprotected 6,8 Tribal Loose - - - - 8 Infantry Unskilled 2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 0 Islemen Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Flexible Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 8 Infantry Unskilled - Devastating Charger - 0 Catterans Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 16 Cavalry - Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0 Templar Allies Exceptional Protected 2 Drilled Loose - Melee Expert - 2

allies None Notes This is probably a unique list in that it represents the Scottish army during the two days of the . The Bruce had been continually drilling the army in the environs of 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 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. Medieval Scots in Britain 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

WEAPONRY Characteristics Min UG Name Type Quality Shooting Protection MELEE Mandatory Optional Max Size Infantry - Long Spear Shove Orb * Noble Spearmen Superior Protected * Formed Close - - - - * Infantry - Long Spear Shove Orb 36 Spearmen Average Protected 8,9 Formed Close - - - - 120 Cavalry Experienced Short Spear - - 0 Prickers Average Unprotected 4,6 Formed Flexible Javelin - - - 8 Infantry Unskilled 2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 0 Islemen Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Flexible Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 8 Infantry Unskilled - Devastating Charger - 0 Catterans Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 16

Only in 1385 Cavalry - Fully Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0 French Knights Average 4 Formed Loose - Armoured - Melee Expert - 4 Infantry Experienced - - - 0 French Crossbows Average Protected 4 Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 4

Only after 1340 Experienced - - - 0 Cannons Average - 2 - Heavy Artillery - - - 4 Artillery Experienced - - - 0 Guns Average - 2 - Light Artillery - - - 4

Only before 1403 and after 1437 Infantry Experienced - - - 6 Archers Average Protected 6,8,9 Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 16

Between 1403 and 1437 Infantry Experienced - - - 6 Archers Average Protected 6,8,9 Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 24 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.

Medieval Scots on the Continent Army Commander 1 Any Instinctive Dates 1418-1429

Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Instinctive TERRAIN Standard

allied General Camp Flexible :Poor or Average

WEAPONRY Characteristics Min Name Type Quality Shooting Protection UG Size MELEE Mandatory Optional Max Noble Nobles and Infantry - Long Spear Shove - 8 Superior Protected 6,8 Retinue Formed Close - - - - 16 Infantry Experienced - - - 24 Scottish archers Average Protected 6,8 Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 60 Cavalry - Fully Charging Lancer Devastating Charger Dismountable 8 French Knights Average 4,6 Formed Loose - Armoured - Melee Expert - 16 Cavalry - - Devastating Charger Dismountable 0 Lesser Mens at Arms Average Protected 4,6 Formed Loose - - - - 6 Infantry Experienced - - - 8 French Crossbows Average Protected 6,8 Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 16 Infantry Skilled - - Pavise 0 Genoese Crossbows Average Protected 4 Formed Loose Crossbow - - - 4 Infantry - Light Spear - Shove 0 Spearmen Average Protected 6,8 Formed Close - - - - 8 Infantry - - - - 0 Ribald and levy Poor Unprotected 8,9,10 Tribal Loose - - - - 16 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

Medieval Scots Local defence Force 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

WEAPONRY Characteristics Min UG Name Type Quality Shooting Protection MELEE Mandatory Optional Max Size Cavalry - Fully Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 4 Nobles Superior 4,6 Formed Loose - Armoured - - - 8 Infantry - Long Spear Shove Orb 24 Spearmen Average Protected 8,9 Formed Close - - - - 60 Town Militia and Infantry - Long Spear - Orb 20 Poor Protected 8,9 hastily raised levies Formed Close - - - - 30 Infantry Experienced - - - 6 Archers Average Protected 6,8 Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 12 Infantry Unskilled - Devastating Charger - 0 Catterans Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 8 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 Medieval English

Army Commander 1 Any Professional Dates 1321 to 1499

Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Professional TERRAIN Standard

allied General Camp Flexible :Poor or Average

WEAPONRY Characteristics UG Name Type Quality Shooting Protection Min Max MELEE Mandatory Optional Size Dismounted Knights Infantry - Fully 2-Handed Cutting Shove - 12 Average 4,6 and men at arms Formed Close - Armoured - - - 24 Upgrade Dismounted Infantry - Fully 2-Handed Cutting Shove - 0 Superior 4,6 Knights Formed Close - Armoured - - - up to 1/2 Infantry Experienced - - Stakes 12 Retinue bowmen Average Protected 6,8 Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 40 Upgrade Retinue as Infantry Skilled - - Stakes 0 Average Protected 6,8 Skilled archers Formed Loose Powerbow - - - up to 1/4 Infantry - 2-Handed Cutting Shove Stakes 0 Retinue Billmen Average Protected 6,8 Formed Close - - - - 12 Infantry Experienced - - - 12 Levy bowmen Poor Protected 6,8 Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 40 Infantry - 2-Handed Cutting Shove - 0 Levy Billmen Poor Protected 6,8 Formed Close - - - - 24 Cavalry Experienced Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0 Borderers Average Protected 4,6 Formed Flexible Crossbow - - - 8

Only from 1330 to 1335 Infantry - Long Spear Shove Orb 8 Exiled Scots Average Protected 6,8 Formed Close - - - - 16

Only from 1400 Artillery Experienced - - - 0 Heavy Artillery Average - 2 - Heavy Artillery - - - 2 Artillery Experienced - - - 0 Light Artillery Average - 2 - Light Artillery - - - 2 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.

Flodden Scots Army Commander 1 Any Professional Dates 1513

Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Professional TERRAIN Standard, Mountains, Forest

allied General Camp Flexible :Poor or Average

WEAPONRY Characteristics Min UG Name Type Quality Shooting Protection MELEE Mandatory Optional Max Size Infantry - Fully Shove, Pavise - * Noble Pikemen Average * Drilled Close - Armoured - - - * Infantry - Pike Shove - 48 Common Pikemen Average Protected 8 Drilled Close - - - - 120 Cavalry Experienced Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 6 Borderers Average Protected 4,6 Formed Flexible Crossbow - - - 12 Infantry Unskilled 2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 0 Islemen Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Flexible Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 8 Infantry Unskilled - Devastating Charger - 0 Catterans Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 16 Artillery Poor - - - 4 Cannons Average - 2 - Heavy Artillery - - - 6 Artillery Poor - - - 0 Guns Average - 2 - Light Artillery - - - 2

allies None 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.

Henry VIII Northern England (early) Army Commander 1 Any Professional Dates 1500-1535

Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Professional TERRAIN Standard

allied General Camp Flexible :Poor or Average

WEAPONRY Characteristics UG Name Type Quality Shooting Protection Min Max MELEE Mandatory Optional Size Nobles Retinue Infantry - Fully 2-Handed Cutting Shove - 8 Superior 4,6 Billmen Formed Close - Armoured - - - 12 Good Quality Militia Infantry - 2-Handed Cutting Shove - 12 Average Protected 6,8 Billmen Formed Close - - - - 36 Infantry - 2-Handed Cutting Shove - 6 Levy Billmen Poor Protected 6,8 Formed Close - - - - 24 Retinue and similar Infantry Experienced - - Stakes 12 Average Protected 6,8 bowmen Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 48 Upgrade Retinue as Infantry Skilled - - Stakes 0 Average Protected 6,8 Skilled archers Formed Loose Powerbow - - - up to 1/4 Infantry Unskilled - - - 6 Levy Bowmen Poor Protected 6,8 Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 24 Infantry - Long Spear - Shove 6 Levy Northern Spears Poor Protected 6,8 Formed Close - - - - 12 Cavalry Experienced Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0 Borderers Average Protected 4,6 Formed Flexible Crossbow - - - 6 Cavalry - Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0 Demi Lancers Average Protected 4 Formed Loose - - - - 4 Infantry Experienced - - Combat Shy 0 Handgunners Average Protected 6,8 Formed Loose Firearm - - - 6 Artillery Experienced - - - 2 Guns Average - 2 - Light Artillery - - - 6

allies None 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 .

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.

Post Flodden Scots 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

WEAPONRY Characteristics Min UG Name Type Quality Shooting Protection MELEE Mandatory Optional Max Size Infantry - Fully Pike Shove Orb * Noble Pikemen Average * Drilled Close - Armoured - - - * Infantry - Pike Shove Orb 48 Common Pikemen Average Protected 8 Drilled Close - - - - 120 Cavalry Experienced Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 6 Borderers Average Protected 4,6 Formed Flexible Crossbow - - - 18 Infantry Unskilled 2-Handed Cutting Devastating Charger - 0 Islemen Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Flexible Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 8 Infantry Unskilled - Devastating Charger - 0 Catterans Average Protected 6,8 Tribal Loose Powerbow - Shoot and Charge - 16 Infantry Experienced - - - 0 Bowmen Average Protected 6,8 Formed Loose PowerBow - - - 16 Artillery Experienced - - - 0 Guns Average - 2 - Light Artillery - - - 2 Artillery Experienced - - - 2 Cannons Average - 2 - Heavy Artillery - - - 4

Only between 1519-1539 Infantry Experienced - Combat Shy - 0 Hangunners Average Protected 6,8 Formed Loose Handgun - - - 8

Only After 1539 Infantry Experienced - Combat Shy - 0 Hangunners Average Protected 6,8 Formed Loose Handgun - - - 16 Cavalry Experienced Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - Regrade Borderers Average Protected all 4,6 Formed Flexible Handgun - - - 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 ” 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.

Henry VIII Northern England (later) Army Commander 1 Any Professional Dates 1535-1550

Sub-Generals 1-3 Any Professional TERRAIN Standard

allied General Camp Flexible :Poor or Average

WEAPONRY Characteristics UG Name Type Quality Shooting Protection Min Max MELEE Mandatory Optional Size Nobles Retinue Infantry - Fully 2-Handed Cutting Shove - 8 Superior 4,6 Billmen Formed Close - Armoured - - - 12 Good Quality Militia Infantry - 2-Handed Cutting Shove - 12 Average Protected 6,8 Billmen Formed Close - - - - 36 Retinue and similar Infantry Experienced - - Stakes 12 Average Protected 6,8 bowmen Formed Loose Powerbow - - - 64 Upgrade Retinue as Infantry Skilled - - Stakes 0 Average Protected 6,8 Skilled archers Formed Loose Powerbow - - - up to 1/4 Cavalry - Fully Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0 Gentlemen Pensioners Superior 2 Formed Loose - Armoured - Melee Expert - 2 Cavalry - Fully Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0 Boulogne Men at Arms Average 4 Formed Loose - Armoured - - - 4 Cavalry Experienced Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 6 Borderers Average Protected 4,6 Formed Flexible Crossbow - - - 16 Cavalry - Charging Lancer Devastating Charger - 0 Demi Lancers Average Protected 4 Formed Loose - - - - 4 Italian Mounted Cavalry Experienced - - - 0 Average Protected 4,6 Harquebusiers Skirmisher Firearm - - - 6 Infantry Experienced - - Combat Shy 12 Handgunners Average Protected 6,8 Formed Loose Firearm - - - 18 Artillery Experienced - - - 2 Light Artillery Average - 2 - Light Artillery - - - 6 Artillery Experienced - - - 2 Heavy Artillery Average - 2 - Heavy Artillery - - - 6 Notes This represents a force raised in the North of England to invade Scotland as part of the Rough Wooing which resulted the major 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.