Viking Invasion 750 to 950AD

Asser Life Of Alfred

Griffith Viking Art of War. Njal's Saga,

Saxo Grammaticus History of the Danes

Era: Triumph of Cavalry   Viking Invasion 750 to 950AD CR: H: 4 L: 3   BP: 2 Init: 5
Core
Number Type   Description Key FV PROT Weapon Cost
2 FT Jarl's Men X 6[1]2 +2 Various 10
4 FT Boat's Men X 5[1]2 +1 Various/Bows 9
3 SI Bowmen   2[1]1 +1 Bows 2
Bonus:
1 FT King's Men X 7[1]2 +2 Various 12
2 FT* Jarl's Men X 6[1]2 +2 Various 10
4 FT Boat's Men X 5[1]2 +1 Various/Bows 9
4 FT Boat's Men X 5[1]2 +1 Various 7
2 LHI Boat's Men   4[1]2 +1 Various/Bows 8
1 WB Bareserks/Irish   5[1]3 +1 Various 6
2 SI     3[1]2 +2 Slings 2
2 SI     2[1]1 +2 Bows 2
2 HC* Mounted Jarl's men X 3[0]0 +1 Spears 8

Terrain:

Core: 1 RG

Bonus: (Max: 3 ) 2 :RG, 2:GR:2W, 2:SH

Notes:

Core: 97 Bonus: 150

This army is that of the Danes who attacked England and France, fought in Andalusia and Italy. The basic unit of organisation was the boat's crew and included an archer component. This made them more loyal and cohesive than their enemies.

* For each cavalry unit bought the number of bonus jarl's men bought is reduced by one unit.

The cavalry cannot dismount. They are jarl's men mounted.

. By campaigning every year they became professional and hardened warriors. Armies typically have many (jarls) earls and sometimes several kings in their ranks. They were well equipped through loot and the sharing of spoils. Resilient warriors and with the morale boost that fighting in enemy territory gives,it took many battles to halt their annual campaigns.

All FT may form Shieldwall.

Bareserks represent extremely aggressive fighters, members of a pagan warrior cult.

Viking cavalry represent those used at Sulcoit, in Ireland and in France. They represent mounted jarl's men. Being on 'rented' horses they do not have the best factors.

Very often the army fought from palisaded camps in swampy areas. This is why they have rough ground as terrain. Provide the RG as a fenced position. The LHI option represent's the Viking ability to fight in rough terrain.

The structure of this army was evolved through a debate on Warflute as to how the Vikings coped with their continental enemies who had quantities of good heavy cavalry. When facing mounted opponents the player is advised to look carefully at the bow armed units, shieldwall rule, LHI and terrain!!!

Ordo Link: Viking Invasion

Last Edited: 18 August 2008

List Author: Aligern