Britons from modern England had moved back and forth between the continent and Brittany from prehistoric times. The first major resettlement of Britons from modern England to Brittany came with the defeat of the claimant to the Roman purple, Magnus Maximus, the Dux Brittanium. Upon the defeat of Maximus in 399 AD, many of his Romanized Briton followers were forced to accept exile in Brittany. For the next hundred years Brittany became the endpoint for many Britons forced to leave their homes because of civil wars, feuds or unrest. Numbers were small until the wholesale resettlement of large areas of England by Germanic invaders forced thousands of Britons to flee in the 5th Century. Alans, part of a large Germanic force moving across the continent, also settled in Brittany at about the same time and were closely affiliated with the local rulers. These Alans were eventually absorbed into the Celtic population, although one theory about the commonality of the name Alan in Brittany attests to their presence. It appears that the Bretons as they came to be called maintained much of the military system of the Sub-Roman Britons, using mercenaries and allies as they were available. Saxons being mentioned on one occasion against Merovingians and Franks mentioned numerous times. The Bretons themselves being found as allies and enemies (depending on the year) to the Merovingians and Carolingians. The early Breton period ends with the conquest of the peninsula by Charlemagne in 811 AD.

Era: Triumph of Cavalry	Early Breton c. 450 AD - 811 AD	CR: H: 3 L: 4		BP: 2	Init: 5
Core
Number	Type	Description	Key	FV	PROT	Weapon	Cost
2	HC	Breton Nobles	Key	4 [0] 0	+1	Javelins	10
2	LC	Bretons	Key	2 [0] 0	+1	Javelins	7
2	LHI	Breton Militia	Key	4 [1] 2	+1	Various/Javelins	7
1	LI			4 [1] 2	+1	Javelins	7
2	SI			3 [1] 2	+2	Javelins	2
Bonus:
1	HC	Breton Nobles	Key	5 [1] 0	+2	Javelins	13
3	HC	Breton Nobles	Key	4 [0] 0	+1	Javelins	10
4	LC	Bretons	Key	2 [0] 0	+1	Javelins	7
2	LHI	Breton Militia	Key	4 [1] 2	+1	Various/Javelins	7
3	LI			4 [1] 2	+1	Javelins	7
2	SI			3 [1] 2	+2	Javelins	2
2	SI			2 [0] 0	+2	Bows	2
1	HC	Alan Nobles*	Key	4 [0] 0	+1	Various/Bows	12
2	LC	Alans*	Key	1 [0] 0	+1	Bows	6
2	FT	Saxon Mercenaries**	Key	5 [1] 1	+1	Various	7
1	HC	Merovingians***	Key	4 [0] 0	+1	Various	9
2	WB	Merovingians***	Key	5 [1] 2	+1	Various	8
1	SI	Merovingians***		3 [1] 2	+2	Javelins	2
2	HC	Carolingians****	Key	5 [0] 0	+1	Lances	11
2	FT	Carolingians****	Key	5 [1] 1	+1	Various	6

Terrain:

Core: 1 GR

Bonus: (3 max): 3 GR, 2 SH, 1 W

Notes:

No Breton Cavalry is subject to Obligatory Charge.

Elite Breton Nobles represent the concept of horse armor. Although the validity of this theory has been somewhat eroded, it is included for those who still adhere to it.

Breton Militia as LHI may be replaced as FT (FV 5[1]1, +1 PROT at 6 points per unit). Breton FT may form Shieldwall. Both LHI and FT cost 7 points. If this option is chosen it must be used for both the core and bonus units (4 total).

* If any Alans are bought, all must be bought. If any Alans are bought, no Carolingians may be bought and only 2 LC may be bought.

** Saxons may form Shieldwall. If any Saxons are bought, all must be bought. Saxons may not be used with Alans, Merovingians or Carolingians.

*** If any Merovingians are bought, all must be bought. Merovingians may not be used with Saxons or Carolingians. Merovingian HC is subject to Obligatory Charge. Mergovingian WB move 6" and have 4 BP.

**** Carolingians may be purchased in part or whole. Carolingians may not be used with Alans, SI with Bows, Saxons or Merovingians. Carolingian HC is subject to Obligatory Charge.

The number of Breton LC is an attempt to capture the flavor of the Breton army. Bretons were famed for the feigned flight. Moreover, Frankish sources claim that the Franks had difficulty dealing with Breton cavalry because the Franks were used to fighting with the sword and the Bretons used lots of javelins. The term LC is envisioned as simulating LC as well as HC who fought by the use of javelins as missile weapons rather than in closer, more contact-oriented combat. Absent a feigned flight rule and a reiter like rule, it was felt that this solution addressed the issue of national character as well as could be done and give a direct reflection of the Breton LC.

List Author: Ben Checota