Siculo Norman Mainland Option 1080AD to 1195AD

This list is the second of two alternatives, intended to reflect the Norman County/Kingdom of Sicily between its conquest by Roger de Hauteville (approximately 1060-1080 AD) and the absorption of the Sicilian Kingdom into the Western Empire in 1195. I don't like the feel of the existing list. It seems more a High Middle Ages army (FV 6 KN and such) -- more like the 13th century forces available to the Emperor Frederick II. Thus, I set out to rectify the “problem“.

The purpose of the two alternate versions of this early (as opposed to the A2) Sicilian list is to force the player to select between the two very different armies available to the Sicilian County/Kingdom. At least during its early stages, its rulers seem to have respected an unwritten rule which exempted their Saracen subjects from campaigning against their Arabic kinsmen. In these circumstances, the nature of the Sicilian King’s army changed significantly (and not for the better) as he would then have to call upon his utterly unreliable mainland vassals. This list reflects such circumstances.

Era: Age of Chivalry   Siculo Norman Mainland Option 1080AD to 1195AD CR: H: 4 L: 3   BP: 2 Init: 5
Core
Number Type   Description Key FV PROT Weapon Cost
4 HC(d) Sicilian/Mainland Barons* Key 5[1]0 +1 Lances 11
2 FT Infantry Key 5[1]1 +1 Spears 6
2 SI Crossbowmen   2[1]1 +2 X-Bows 2
Bonus:
1 KN(d) King’s Retinue/Wealthy Barons* Key 6[2]0 +2 Lances 14
4 HC(d) Sicilian/Mainland Barons Key 5[1]0 +1 Lances 11
2 HC(d) Lesser Barons Key 4[0]0 +1 Lances 10
2 LC Local Light Cavalry Key 2[0]0 +1 Various 7
4 FT Infantry Key 5[1]1 +1 Spears 6
4 FT Town Militia Key 4[1]1 +1 Spears 4
1 LI Calabrians   4[1]2 +1 Javelins 7
2 SI Sicilian Greeks   3[1]2 +2 Javelins 2
2 SI Crossbowmen   2[1]1 +2 X-Bows 2

Terrain:

Core: 1GR

Bonus: (Max: 3 ) 1W or RG, 1RG, 1SH, 2 GR

Notes:

Core: 94 Bonus: 129

*After (approximately) 1140 AD, two of these Core HC units may be replaced by two units of 5[1]0 (d) (King’s Retinue/Wealthy Barons) +2 Lances (12) Key at a cost of one bonus point each. The Bonus KN unit may be purchased if (and only if) both of these HC units are converted. This is for those players who insist that the KN class of heavy cavalry was available during this period.

The mainland warlords of Southern Italy bitterly resented the rise of the upstart de Hautvilles and were always ready to seize the opportunity to throw off the Palermo government, much preferring the idea of nominal rule by a far-off Emperor in Germany or Constantinople (they were indifferent as to which). From this it follows that in historic matches the Mainland Option should not be used against Western or Eastern Empire armies. Instead, see the alternative Siculo Norman Saracen Option. In tournament play the Mainland Option may always be used.

Ordo Link: Siculo Norman Mainland Option

Last Edited: 12 April 2006

List Author: Chingachgook