Warhammer Ancient Battles by Cry Havoc - The Italian Wars: 1494-1534 - The French 1492

THE FRENCH 1492-1534 This list is intended to cover the French from the initial campaign in Naples until the reforms of Francis I, which introduced the “Legions” IN 1445, Charles VII implemented a series of reforms intended to transform the feudal army of France into a national standing army organised into professional companies. The reforms established 15 companies of 100 sixman lances, comprising a man at arms, two Archers, a page, an esquire and a valet, creating a force of 6,000 professional cavalry, owing their loyalty direct to the king. On April 27 1448, Charles proclaimed a further ordinance; calling for each parish to provide an archer armed with sword, dagger, casque and bow, and to be known as Franc-Archers. Despite the name, many of the Francs-Archers carried halberds or pikes. Recruited from an unwarlike peasantry, the failings of the French infantry should have come as no surprise. In 1480, partly for financial reasons but primarily based on their truly dismal performance at the battle of Guinnegatte 1479, the Francs–Archers were disbanded. Instead, the obligation on the parish to muster a man was commuted to an obligation to pay a tax with which Louis established a Corp of 16,000 infantry. Despite the abolition of the Francs-Archers, the obligation upon the parishes to mobilise men as part of the rural band remained. When Charles VIII fought the Bretons, his army included regiments of the Francs-Archers, and during times of national emergency, such as Charles V’s invasion of France, the FrancsArchers were mobilised. Nonetheless, the desire to create a national standing infantry force was briefly resurrected in 1503, by Pierre de Gié, one of the two Marshals of France. He proposed the establishment of an infantry force comprising 20,000 archers and pikemen. The plan was abandoned in 1504, and it was not until 1534, with the foundation of seven ”legions” of 6,000 infantry, that a national infantry force was instituted. The French preferred to recruit their infantry from the outer provinces, where the inhabitants exhibited a more warlike character. The regions of Gascony and Picardy were preferred

recruiting grounds and bands of Norman and Breton adventurers also enlisted. The main infantry weapon of the French bandes remained the crossbow and the French maintained an attachment to this weapon, notwithstanding the emergence of the arquebus. Following their destruction of the forces of Charles the Bold of Burgundy, the Swiss established themselves as the finest infantry in Europe. At the battle of St Jacob –en Biers, the future king Louis XI, witnessed for himself, the ferocity of the Swiss and this, combined with their victories over Charles the Bold, compelled Louis XI to recruit Swiss mercenaries to replace the Francs-Archers. The Swiss were also hired to train the French infantry in the Swiss pike drill, but the French forces lacked the same level of sheer ferocity and steely discipline that had made the Swiss so effective. The reliance the French placed on the Swiss was well documented by contemporary writers; it was remarked that the Swiss were the backbone of the French army and that when the French went to war with the Swiss they felt themselves to be invincible. However, as Charles’ successor, Louis XII was to discover, the loyalty of the Swiss came at a cost, the Swiss were professionals and expected to be paid, when the Swiss were not paid they abandoned the French. The French army of Charles VIII, suffered from a lack of good quality light cavalry, and to remedy this Louis XII recruited 2,000 Stradiottii. In imitation of the Stradiotti style of fighting, the French raised their own regiments of light cavalry; the Argolouts. When the Argolouts began to adopt the arquebus, they aroused the animosity of the Gendarmes; who nicknamed them “Sheep –biters” The French armies could also rely upon a large and state-of-the-art artillery train, which had help drive the English out of France. The size of the artillery train impressed Italian commentators. But it was the French policy of calculated terror, by which besieged garrisons, who refused to surrender to the French were slaughtered, that so shocked and terrified the Italians. Indeed it was the chief reason for the

rapid surrender of many of the Italian fortresses to the French. Army Composition: Army of Charles VIII, “So as fear and hope ran equal on both sides, they fought with unbelievable ardour, every man feeling that victory lay in his right hand and in his valour. The courage of the French was stimulated by the presence and danger of their King-for the King’s majesty is venerated among the nation by ancient custom no less than the name of God…” Guicciardini, istoria Characters: up to 25% Cavalry: At least 30% of the army up to a maximum of 60%. You must take at least one unit of Gendarmes and 1 unit of “Archers”. May not take Esradiots or Argolouts. Guard Mounted Crossbow may dismount at – 4 points and become either skirmishers or Open Order. You may not have more units of light cavalry than heavy cavalry. Infantry: At least 15% of the army. You may take up to 1 artillery piece per 500 points. Special: Gascon Arquebsuiers may be designated as Poudriers at +20 points for the unit. Poudriers are Mounted Infantry. Allies and Mercenaries: up to 50%. May take Swiss, Milanese and Neapolitan allies. May take 0-1 Bandes Noir pike and 0-1 Bands Noir arquebusiers. May take 0-1 units of Genoese Partisans. Army of Louis XII, Characters: up to 25% Cavalry: At least 30% of the army up to a maximum of 60%. You must take at least one unit of Gendarmes and 1 unit of “Archers”. All cavalry options allowed. Argolouts may not take arquebus. May take Salariato. Infantry: At least 15% of the army. All options May take 1 artillery piece per 500 points. Allies and Mercenaries: up to 50%. May take allies from thePapal and Neapolitan lists, may take 0-2 Estradiots. May take Bandes Noir from the Habsburg list. Bandes Noir may be led by a Kriegsherren, Army of Francis 1, Characters: up to 25% Cavalry: At least 25% of the army up to a maximum of 50%. You must take at least one

unit of Gendarmes and 1 unit of “Archers”. Dismounted Archers may not be used. 0-1 Argolouts may exchange their equipment for arquebus (free) Infantry: At least 20% of the army. May not take Francs-Archers. May take 1 artillery piece per 500 points. Allies and Mercenaries: up to 65%. May take Swiss, Bandes Noir, Florentine and Papal allies, may take Estradiots.

Special: En Hay The correct manner of fighting for a gentleman was in a single line, with no room for anyone to remain away from the fighting. Gendarmes may only count a rank bonus if the second rank is made up of “Archers” You must take 1 Archer for each Gendarme

The Swiss Commentators observed that the Swiss had become the backbone of the French army. Despite, being selected form the Mercenaries section, Swiss mercenaries are not subject to the allies and mercenaries rule and may use the general’s leadership and can use the Army Standard to re-roll failed break test. Swiss are highly trained and may fall back in good order if they loose combat and pass their break test. Swiss are subject to impetuosity and Bitter Rivalry of Landsknecht. CHARACTERS:

0.1 Army General 0-1 King Duc

M 8

WS 6

BS 3

S 4

T 4

I 6

W 3

A 2

LD 9

pts 180

8

5

3

4

3

5

2

2

9

150

The King rides a warhorse and wears full plate armour, he carries a lance. May take cloth barding(+4) or plate barding (+6). The Army Standard Bearer has a sword, wears full plate armour and rides a warhorse, he may take cloth barding(+4) or plate barding (+6) The Duc wears full plate armour and rides a warhorse, the warhorse may have cloth barding (+4), or plate barding (+6) and a lance (+4) Special: Army General. The King may only be taken in armies exceeding 2,000 points, if taken, he is the army

DisMounted

general and must lead the Royal Guard Gendarmes. The Royal Guard is Stubborn and has WS 5.

WS 5

BS 3

S 4

T 3

I 5

W 2

A 2

LD 8

pts 104

Officers WS 5 4

BS 3 3

S 4 4

T 3 3

I 5 4

W 2 2

A 2 2

LD 8 9

The Noble wears full plate armour, he may ride a warhorse (+4), if mounted he may have a lance (+4) and either cloth (+4) or plate Barding (+6). If dismounted, he may have a halberd, pike or double-handed weapon (+2) The Kriegsherren, may only be taken if you have a unit of Bandes Noir in your army. The Kriegsherren carries either a pike or a halbard and may have light armour (+2), he may have heavy armour (+3) or partial plate armour (+4). The Kreigsherren is subject to Bitter Rivalry of Swiss and Imperial Landsknechts

CAVALRY

M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

8

3

3

3

3

1

4

1

L d 8

Pts

1

1

7

10

M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

8 4

3 3

3 3

3 3

3 3

1 1

4 4

1 1

L d 8 8

Pts 23 13

pts 65 62

Must not outnumber any other unit of Archers. If mounted, they replace their longbows with thrusting spears and may take partial plate armour (+2). If mounted they may not outnumber any other mounted unit.

Light Cavalry: Argolout Cosutilier Mounted Crossbo w

M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

8 8 8

3 3 3

3 3 3

3 3 3

3 3 3

1 1 1

3 2 2

1 1 1

L d 7 6 6

Pts 18 14 14

Argolouts are skirmishers. They have feigned flight and. swords or maces. They carry javelins, shields and thrusting spears. They may take light armour (+2), or light crossbow (+2).

Coustiliers, have thrusting spears, they have may take light armour (+1).

34

Gendarmes, ride warhorses, have First Charge, wear full plate armour and carry lances. Gendarmes may take cloth barding (+4) or plate barding (+6). Gendarmes may be veterans (+2), every unit may have WS5 (+2). May be in a combined formation with Archers.

Mounted crossbow, are skirmishers and wear light armour, they have light crossbows. In armies led by the King, one unit may be upgraded to a Guard regiment at +3 points. Guard mounted crossbows are Veterans and have Leadership 8. They must be the smallest unit of light cavalry.

INFANTRY

Archers Mounted

3

Argolouts with arquebus may be designated as Mounted infantry.

Gendarme Gendarme

3

If dismounted they are equipped with either; longbow or crossbow, they wear heavy armour and are veteran. Special: Mounted infantry.

The Army Standard Bearer has a sword, wears full plate armour and rides a warhorse, he may take cloth barding(+4) or plate barding (+6) M 8 4

3

0.1 Scots Archers: Mounted Dismounted

Special: Army Standard Bearer

Noble Kriegsh erren

3

They may take partial plate armour (+2)

0-1 Army Standard Bearer . M 8

3

If mounted, Archers”, wear heavy armour and carry thrusting spears. If dismounted, they have longbows and wear heavy armour.

If the king is not chosen, the Duc becomes the army general.

Army Standar d Bearer

8

M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

8

3

3

3

3

1

3

1

L d 7

Pts 20

Francs-Archer M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

L d

Pts

Archer

4

2

2

3

3

2

1

1

5

5

Equipment: Continental longbows (This has the same range as a longbow but without the – 1 save modifier) May exchange their longbows for pikes (+1) or halberds (+1). They may have light armour (+2) or heavy armour (+3). Special: Fear all formed enemy units they do not outnumber by more than 2:1. Characters may not join a unit of Francs-Archers. The Francs-Archers can be used to represent the infective Arriere- Ban of France, called out in national emergencies. Gascons/ Bandes d‘Aventuriers: Gascons

M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

4

3

3

3

3

1

2

1

L d 6

Pts 9

Equipment: Crossbows hand weapon and light armour May have heavy armour (+1) Every second unit may exchange crossbows for pikes (free) or halberd (free). The French, held their infantry in low regard, they referred to them as “Pillards”(looters), “rustres”(Clodhoppers) and “laquais”. They are described by one contemporary as being for most part”…people of sack and cord, rascals, fugitives from justice, and stamped, as a rule, with the fleur- de lys on the shoulder; they were without ears, whose absence they hid under long bristling locks and ferocious beards…” 0.1 Gascon Arquebusiers: Gascon

M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

4

2

3

3

3

1

2

1

L d 6

Pts 8

Equipment: Arquebus, hand weapon and light armour May have heavy armour (+1) French Pikemen: Pikemen

M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

4

3

3

3

3

1

2

1

L d 6

Pts 8

Equipment: pike, light armour Options: May take heavy armour (+1). Special: Medieval phalanx In 1480, Loius XI, established a training camp at pont-de-l’Ache, where 6,000 Swiss pikemen

trained some 10,000 Picards in the Swiss art of war, these 10,000 pike were to form the Bande and later the Regiment de Picardie

Artillery May take up to one artillery piece per 500 points at 50 points per artillery piece. May have one master gunner per 1,000 points. May take up to two additional artillery crew per gun at +10 points per crewman.

ALLIES AND MERCENARIES: Bandes Noirs Landsknec ht Arquebus

M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

Pts

1

L d 7

4

3

3

3

3

3

1

4

3

3

3

3

3

1

1

7

11

9

Equipment: Blackbands are armed with pikes or halberds; they may have light armour (+1), or heavy armour (+2), or partial plate (+3). The front rank may be upgraded to Dopplesoldner (+3 per model), Dopplesoldner have twohanded weapons and WS4. Special: Blackbands are subject to Bitter Rivalry of Landsknechts in Imperial service and Swiss. Landsknechts equipped with pikes are a medieval pike phalanx. Arquebus equipped landsknechts may be designated as skirmishers (free) Special: Each unit of Bandes Noir equipped with pike may take a detachment of Skirmish screen and may take a rear support of halbadiers. Bandes Noire or Black Bandes was the term used by the French to describe the Landsknechts who had defied the Imperial decree against serving in the armies of France. 0-1 -Cent Suisses du roi Suisses

M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

4 4

3

3

3

4

1

1

L d 8

Pts 16

Cent Suisses du roi are Veteran and Stubborn. They have heavy armour and either halberds, pikes or double handed swords. They may only be taken in armies led by the king. As long as the King is alive, they are immune to break tests. They unit must not be larger than 10 model

Neapolitan Men at Arms Man-at Arms

M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

8

3

3

3

4

1

4

L d 8

1

Pts 33

Equipment: Partial Plate armour, lance, First Charge, warhorses. May take cloth barding (+4) or plate barding (+6) Special: Are Impetuous. May claim a rank bonus of up to +1. 0-1 Neapolitan Partisans. Partisans

M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

4

3

3

3

3

1

2

L d 6

1

9

The French hired bands of Neapolitan partisans to ambush the Spanish. The Spanish were usually well prepared for any such attacks and were able to avoid the actions of the Partisans.

0-1 Genoese Partisans: Genoses

BS

S

T

I

W A

4

3

3

3

3

1

3

L d 7

1

Pts 10

Equipment, swords, light armour and bucklers Special: Open Order. Bands of Genoese Partisans rose up to defy the attempt of Don Frederigo of Aragon to conquer Genoa in 1494. They are described as being skilled at fighting in rough ground and aided the French in winning the battle of Rappallo. They are only described in connection with the battle of Rappallo and have been included out of a sense of completeness.

0.1 Ferrarese Salariato: M WS

Mounted Dismounted

8 4

3 3

BS

3 3

S

3 3

3 3

T

I

3 3

W A

1 1

1 1

L d

8 8

0.2 Estradiots Stradiotti

M WS

BS

S

T

I

W A

8 3

3

3

3

3

1

1

L d 7

Pts 21

Feigned flight and Parthian Shot. They have shields and ride horses, they have swords or maces. They carry javelins and thrusting spears. Estradiots. They may take light armour (+2) in which case they become open order and may take composite bows (+2).

Pts

Equipment: Crossbows, hand weapon, may take light armour (+2) Special: May be either skirmishers (free) or Open Order (free)

M WS

The Salariato were a professional unit from Ferrera, who assisted the armies of Louis XII.

Pts

22 12

If mounted, they have heavy armour and thrusting spear, they are veterans. If dismounted they may take either; have longbows, or crossbows, and have heavy armour, they are veterans. They must not outnumber any other unit

May take Swiss Pikemen and skirmishers from the Swiss list. Swiss Allies may use detachments of skirmisher screens and Rear Support. Swiss skirmishers must be attached to a Swiss pike unit. Swiss Pike are, unsurprisingly, subject to the rules for being Swis