Armies for the Breton Succession Wars 1341 – 1365

The Wars of the Breton Succession is an easy introduction to the early Hundred Years War period, competing factions of Montfort and Blois were supported by Edward III of England and Philip VI of France. At the heart of the collection are two Franco-Breton armies, both modelled after the French IV/64 army list, giving both sides an identical number of mounted knights, men-at-arms, pavisiers, crossbowmen and bidets. Our games, both sides may employ allied contingents of English or French. For an overview of the conflict, I would recommend “The Hundred Years War, Trial by Battle” by J. Sumpetion. Chapter XI is devoted to the early stage of the succession war. 

During the opening stage of the conflict, support for either faction formed a north versus south relation, that is Montfort received support from the coastal towns located in the north and west, and du Blois from towns in the south and east. Nonetheless, during the course of the 24-year conflict, the nobles were not averse to altering their allegiance. 

Blois faction led by Bertrand du Guesclin

Montfort faction

The Earl of Northampton assisted by Sir Thomas Dagworth and Sir John Chandos command the English. For the campaigns in Aquitaine and Spain, the Black Prince will command.   

Pavisiers – DBA3 Book IV/64b

The armies representing the factions of the Breton Succession War of 1341-1365, are modelled on the French Army list of the same period; each faction will have 3 elements of pavisiers. Blue Moon miniatures offer them under the list for Crecy and Poitiers. 

Shield patterns.

Pavisiers or communal infantry should have designs representing the armorial coat-of-arms of their town or city, unfortunately, this would prove a difficult task. In the Netherlands, our coat-of-arms can be found on maps of the late middle ages. Colours have remained unchanged, but the pattern has taken on a different design. A similar evolution might have taken place for towns in Brittany.

I selected six towns/cities supporting each faction and used their current coat-of-arms as a benchmark. Simplifying their pattern or altering colours, I settled on the designs as seen in the final photo. Each element carries a standard.  

Montfort

Brest, Rennes, Fougeres, Bruz, Ille-et-Vilaine, Ploemeur, Cesson.

Blois

Lanester, Saint-Brieuc, Lorient, Quimper, Saint-Malo, Vannes.

Blue Moon figures mounted on painting sticks. Blue Moon labels proved useful. Piercing the card, the shields were held in place making painting easier.

From the notations made, shield patterns were sketch with a pen.

The final step before varnishing.

Pavisiers of both factions. 

Crisis 2025, 1 November

I believe it has been more than ten years since my last visit to this wargame event in Antwerp, Belgium. With no intention of purchasing figures, I would see old friends and support our club’s demonstration game at this event.

Walking about the main hall, the event was smaller than previous years, metal miniatures are replaced this time with plastic and 3D resin items filled the trade areas. Not my cup of tea, but was fascinated by the well painted models. Two in particular caught my attention, a painted castle and fortified manor, both would fit well with my current project, the early period of the Hundred Year’s War.

The models are from Najewitz Modellbau of Germany and had a brief talk with Jens Najewitz, the owner. More items can be seen at his website, www.3dprintterrain.de  or at his Facebook page. The two models are now part of my collection and will appear in upcoming battle reports. The scale of 12mm which is perfect for the 15mm DBA collection.

Castle

Fortified Mansion

The Battle of Foteviken in 1134

Upon the death of the Danish King Erik Ejegod in 1103, Niels succeeded his brother as ruler of the kingdom. Anxious to succeed his father, Magnus Nielsen began eliminating possible rivals. Alerted to the threat, Erik Emune , together with Archbishop Ascer of Lund gathered forces at Vellinga in Skåne to resist. With an army, King Niels and Magnus sailed to Skåne and disembarking at Foteviken met the forces of Erik Emune on 4 June 1134. The battle would decide the fate of the Danish throne. 

To simulate the landing of an entire army by sea, players deploy as per the Collision Course variant, each side dividing its force in three columns. Note Erik is aided by the Archbishop of Lund bringing German mercenaries which form an allied third column. Mobile baggage replace camps with the Danish mobile baggage remaining on board. Generals fight  on foot as the Danes lack horse transport leaving Erik with the only mounted force supplied by the archbishop.

Terrain

Danish sources give the landing area between the fishing village of Foteviken and the rock cliffs as 500 m or just under 7BW which is sufficient space for all three Danish columns to disembark. From the beach to the board centre line the ground is open rising to low hills in the rebel deployment area. Woods were placed along the board edge  creating an amphitheater effect for the battlefield.

 

Danish leidang of King Niels

Column 1, 1 x Magnus Nielsen (4Bd), 3 x boendr (4Bd).

Column 2, 1 x King Niels (4Bd), 2 x boendr (4Bd), 1 x boendr archers (3Bw).

Column 3, 1 x 1 x huscarls (4Bd), 1 x boendr (4Bd), 1 x boendr archers (3Bw), 1 x archers (Ps).

 

Rebel force led by Erik Emune

Column 1, 1 x Erik Emune (4Bd), 2 x boendr (4Bd), 1 x boendr archers (3Bw).

Column 2, 1 x huscarls (4Bd), 3 x boendr (4Bd), 1 x boendr archers (3Bw), 1 x mobile baggage.

Column 3, 1 x Archbishop Ascer of Lund (3Kn), 1 x German cavalry (Cv), 1 x archers (Ps).

 

Test overview

Test one

Danish deployment of columns one and two were done as per variant rules allowing column one to reach the shoreline and the second column appearing at table edge (1/2 BW in). On a successful score, column three would reach the shoreline on its bound and disembark on the following turn.

As can be seen both sides needed seven turns to form a battle line as both suffered a delay of the third column.  

A less than aggressive Erik handed the King Niels a 6-4 victory.

Test two

The rapid appearance of the Danish third column on turn two, this bode ill for the rebels. However, the timely arrival of the archbishop’s contingent raised rebel hopes.

Throwing caution to the wind, Erik lead the rebels, from their position atop the low hill, to assault the slow advancing Danes.

The change in tactic proved successful for the rebels, garnering them a victory and the death of King Niels. The Danish throne lay open for Erik Emune.

Observations

The base size for the Danish ships, 40mm x 80mm, allowed 4 elements to be placed on them. Their use was more symbolic than necessary In short, no rule amendments were required other than having Danish mounted elements dismount to fight on foot. 

Sources

The Battle of Foteviken in 1134, Sven Rosborn

A Baptism of Fire

After completing the Leidang army for the Swedes, I decided a test case was in order. Here follows the escapade of the Danes. 

Test one

Dithmarschen peasants formed a line along a narrow passage between marsh and wood. The Danish boendir deployed in the first line with archers interspersed, the remainder of the army formed a reserve behind the first.

A right-wheel of the line allowed the peasants to bring forward more spearmen and the dardiers and in response, the Leidang realigned its line to conform.   

The ensuing clash brought both sides to near breaking point, however, the Danes rallied to deliver a decisive blow. Leidang 4-2.

Test two

With their backs to the sea, Wendish pirates took advantage of the difficult hills to deploy half their force. The remainder formed two ranks in centre.

Advancing forward, the Leidang formed two division, the right would attempt to pin the enemy formed on the hill leaving the left division to assault the enemy centre.

Danish cavalry followed the breakthrough in centre while archers on the flank performed their miracle work. Leidang 4-2.

Test three 

Heavy rainfall left the fields a muddy quagmire. Despite this, the Saxons pushed forward in two divisions; the main division comprised the majority of infantry, supported by a reserve of knights.

Using the muddy field to anchor their left, the Danes reformed their line making the initial contact at one point of the battle line.

Nonetheless, Saxon troops breached the Danish line at the right of centre while the feudal retinues held the remainder of the Danish line at bay.

In less than two hours (8 turns), the Danes were soundly beaten. Saxony 5-2+Hd.

The test games were a means to explore a few ideas for a campaign setting. In the planning is a campaign centred on Denmark’s conflicts spanning a period of a hundred years. Despite the periods of peace, Denmark fought not only the opponents noted above, but became embroiled with a civil war. Beyond the Danish frontier, other entities had their own conflicts, such as the Saxon campaign against the Wends and Bremen invading the cantons of Dithmarschen and Stedinger.

How this will be accomplished will be solved in the coming weeks,

The Peasant Republics

My latest search for obscure medieval conflicts brought me to events closer to home, the County of Holland and Frisia. Frisia is one of a number of Peasant Republics that existed between the 13th and early 16th century, others are Butjadingen, Stadland, Stedingen, Land Wursten, Land Hadeln and Dithmarschen. Most were absorbed by the territorial expansion of local princes with Frisia and Dithmarschen holding autonomy until the 16^th century.

Free Canton Army

Needing only foot figures, this would seem to be an easy army to collect. Searching the box of ‘extras’ however, produced too few figures for a complete army, however, opening a second box, did reveal camp followers, mobile baggage and a peasant army of 12 elements. The latter were assembled years ago for a scenario and had not seen any further use since. That would change.

Five of the twelve elements were repurposed for the Free Canton and the next two days were spent cleaning and replacing weapons with brass rod for pikes. All figures are Legio Heroica and lacking helmet and armour; brighter colours were used for their clothing.  

 Flags

Five flags were painted for the Free Canton army. Like all my late medieval army, flags are interchangeable increasing their potential for historical battles. Below are the flags made for Frisia, Groningen, Stedingen and Dithmarschen. Although conjectural, colours are based on coat of arms for the entity. The seven waterlilies (pompeblêden) commonly seen on the Frisian flag would make their appearance during the 16^th century and were omitted for the early period.

Source: Wapens, Vlaggen en Zegels van Nederland, T. van der Lars, Amsterdam

 

IV/13e Free Canton (littoral)

1 x general (3Pk), 8 x spearmen (3Pk), 1 x Frisian dardiers (4Ax), 2 x archers/slingers (Ps).

Note, The DBMM Free Canton list a few sword and axe wielding peasants (3Bd).

The Battle of Brunanburh 937

This scenario is based on the final novel of Bernard Cornwell’s, The Last Kingdom series. In the part, titled “The Slaughter”, the battle field and disposition of forces are described. While the book is historical fiction, the game does work well for a DBA3 game. Below are the necessary terrain features and composition of armies based on the novel. Enjoy the game. 

Terrain

The battle field is marked off by hazel rods and is 600 paces wide (7.5BW) and enough space should be allowed for the 6BW distance between lines and for elements to deploy in two lines. Two streams, to the rear and right of the Saxon deployment meet creating a patch of boggy ground. Streams delay crossing and banks add to its defense. A road crosses the battle field and the stream located at the rear of the Saxon deployment. A gentle hill is placed partially in the deployment area of the Norse Vikings. Wood surrounds the battlefield.

The Saxon army, positioned left to right.

Wessex, 1 x general (4Bd) Athelstan, 1 x hird (4Bd), 3 x select fyrd (Sp).

Mercia, 1 x hird (4Bd), 3 x select fyrd (Sp).

Northumbrian allies, 1 x general (4Bd) Uhtred, 1 x hird (4Bd).

Off table: 1 x household cavalry (Cv) Steapa

 

The Coalition, positioned left to right.

Scots, 1 x general (3Pk) Constantine II, 5 x spearmen (Sp). 1 x archers (Ps).

Strathclyde, 1 x general (Sp) Owain, 1 x spearmen (Sp).

Norse Vikings, 1 x general (4Bd) Anlaf Guthfrithson, 1 x household (4Bd), 1 x ulfhednar (3Wb).

Note

All mounted generals dismount at the start of the game and fight as their common troop type. Mercia and Northumbria behave as allied contingents of Athelstan as do Strathclyde and the Norse for Constantine II.

The sole mounted figure is Steapa who arrives on turn 5, no cavalry are listed for the Middle Anglo-Saxon, nonetheless as the scenario follows the author’s description, here they be.