Early Feudal German 900 to 1150 A.D.

The "Early Feudal German" list represents the Ottonians and other later eastern Frankish armies that followed the partition of the Carolingian Empire. It includes the forces of the early Holy Roman Empire, established by agreement between Otto I and Pope John XII in 961 AD. In 1076 AD, the Investiture Controversy began as Pope Gregory VII, in an attempt to curb Frankish secular and spiritual power, excommunicated Emperor Henry IV and declared the Emperor invalid. This led to a rival Emperor and serious destabilization and fragmentation and Papal interference that would last well into the 12th century. During this period, Frankish armies relied to a greater degree on foreign troops to aid in their internal and external conflicts. The list culminates with the ascension of the Hohenstaufen Dynasty, beginning with Conrad III in 1138 and completed with the crowning of Frederick "Barbarossa" as King in 1153 AD and the subsequent re-establishment of Emperor in 1155 AD. It is also approximately the time of the establishment of what would be considered proper medieval knights in Germany.

For the earlier Franks, use the Carolingian Frankish list.

Era: Triumph of Cavalry   Early Feudal German 900 to 1150 A.D. CR: H: 4 L: 3   BP: 2 Init: 5
Core
Number Type   Description Key FV PROT Weapon Cost
3 HC(d) Milites Key 5(0)0 +1 Lances 11
2 HC(d) Lesser Milites Key 4(0)0 +1 Lances 9
1 LC   Key 2(0)0 +1 Javelins 7
Bonus:
6 HC(d) Milites Key 5(0)0 +1 Lances 11
4 HC(d) Lesser Milites Key 4(0)0 +1 Lances 9
2 FT Swabians Key 6(1)2 +2 Two-handed sword 9
1 FT Saxons Key 6(1)1 +2 Various 10
2 FT Saxons Key 5(1)1 +1 Various 7
4 FT Germans Key 5(1)1 +1 Various 6
2 SI     3(1)2 +2 Javelins 2
1 SI     3(1)2 +2 Slings 2
1 SI     2(1)1 +2 X-bows 2
1 SI     2(1)1 +2 Bows 2
    Bohemians          
1 HC(d) Bohemians Key 5(0)0 +1 Lance 11
2 HC Bohemians Key 4(0)0 +1 Lance 10
1 LC Bohemians Key 2(0)0 +1 Javelins 7
2 FT Bohemians Key 4(1)1 +1 Various 4
1 SI Bohemians   3(1)2 +2 Javelins 2
1 SI Bohemians   2(1)1 +2 Bows 2
    Asiatics          
1 HC Asiatics Key 4(0)0 +1 Various/bows 12
2 LC Asiatics Key 1(0)0 +1 Bows 6
    Slavs          
1 HC Slavs Key 4(0)0 +1 Various 10
1 LC Slavs Key 2(0)0 +1 Javelins 7
4 LI Slavs   4(1)2 +1 Javelins 7
1 SI Slavs   3(1)2 +2 Javelins 2
    Vikings          
1 FT Viking Huscarls Key 7(1)2 +2 Various 12
2 FT Viking Bondi Key 5(1)2 +1 Various 7
2 SI Vikings   2(1)1 +2 Bows 2
    Italians          
1 HC(d!) Italians Key 5(0)0 +1 Lance 11
1 HC(d!) Italians Key 4(0)0 +1 Lance 10
2 FT Italians Key 5(1)1 +1 Spears 6
1 FT Italians Key 4(1)1 +1 Spears/X-bows 6
1 LI Italians   3(1)2 +1 X-bows 6
1 SI Italians   2(1)1 +2 X-bows 2
1 SI Italians   2(1)1 +2 Bows 2

Terrain:

Core: 1 GR

Bonus: (Max: 2 ) 2 GR, 1 SH, 1 Rg, 1 W

Notes:

Core: 93 Bonus: 373

All Frankish HC is subject to Obligatory Charge.

If any Saxons are purchased, then all must be purchased. If any Saxons are purchased, then only 2 units of FV 5 [0] 0 may be purchased. If any Saxons are purchased, then no Italians, Bohemians or Asiatics may be purchased. Saxons may form shield wall.

If any Bohemians are purchased, at least one-fourth of the total bonus points must be spent on Bohemians. If any Bohemians are purchased then no Saxons, Slavs or Vikings may be purchased. Only the FV 5 [0] 0 Bohemian HC is subject to Obligatory Charge of the Bohemian Bonus units.

If the Asiatic HC is purchased, then all Asiatics must be purchased. Any or all Asiatic LC may be purchased without purchasing the Asiatic HC. If any Asiatics are purchased, then no Saxons, Slavs, Vikings or Italians other than HC may be purchased.

If any Slavs are purchased, then only 2 units of FV 5 [0] 0 may be purchased. If any Slavs are purchased, then no Italians, Bohemians, Swabians or Asiatics may be purchased.

If any Vikings are purchased, then all must be purchased. If any Vikings are purchased, then no Italians, Bohemians, Swabians or Asiatics may be purchased. Vikings may form shield wall.

If any Italians other than HC are purchased, then at least 2 FT must be purchased and no Asiatics may be purchased. If any Italians are purchased, then no Saxons, Vikings or Slavs may be purchased.

No more than one-half of the Bonus Points may be spent on non-Frankish units.

Notes

(1.) Lesser Milites represent the remnants of the old retainer system, poor Milites who could not afford the armor of their wealthier brethren and some of the cavalry from German areas of the Empire that did not have the cavalry tradition of the remainder. (Saxons, Thuringians, Bavarians, etc.).

(2.) Saxons are meant to incorporate and include many of the Germans who were late to switch to cavalry. These include, but are not limited to Saxons, Thuringians, Northern Lothoringians and others who were not decedents of the original Franks but only conquered by them.

(3.) Bohemians often served in Frankish armies and usually in very large contingents under their own commanders.

(4.) Vikings served often in the northern reaches and were used against Saxons, Slavs, rebels, and other Vikings.

(5.) Italians often served in Frankish armies usually in support of the Emperors in Italy. However, significant numbers of Italian cavalry served in Frankish armies in Germany and beyond with a large contingent at Lechfeld in 955. Italians were also used and settled in numbers in areas of the Empire that did not have a great cavalry tradition. Presumably, these Italains were cavalry, as most were ‘noble.'

List Author: Blue Duck