[Faction Research] County of Flanders

[Polycarpe]

Since we have all our information regarding the factions in Britannia, we could start with the other European factions and let's start with the County of Flanders. Family Tree, army composition,military techniques, etc. The more the info, the better.

As a reminder, the campaign is 1245-1454.

[lolIsuck]

I'll help you on this as I think you'll like some dutch translation and a lot of info will probably in dutch

[Polycarpe]

I'll help you on this as I think you'll like some dutch translation and a lot of info will probably in dutch

That will be great mate.

[SonofPeverel]

[lolIsuck]

again can't see it

[SonofPeverel]

I think it's your browser mate..I cnt put an attachment ATM..try to pit one up later today

[BegottenMeridian]

I think it's your browser mate..I cnt put an attachment ATM..try to pit one up later today

I can't see it either. i tried both google chrome and internet explorer.

[SonofPeverel]

huh. i posted it from work i can see it on my phone and home computer...idk
EDIT: attachment is up

[lolIsuck]

Problem is that at that time Margarita was ruling on her own at the start of the mod

[SonofPeverel]

Don't worry we some surprises for this
Don't ask for an explanation..I've already said to much

[Kjertesvein]

Don't worry we some surprises for this
Don't ask for an explanation..I've already said to much and now we have to kill you.

~Wille

[Polycarpe]

Alright, now onto the army composition.

Strong militia organization. Additional info regarding it is welcome.
Goedendag as favorite weapon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goedendag
Famous for their pike users, probably made of militia. Reviving in a way the Greek phalanx formation.
A rival of France, culture shifting between German (Dutch) and French; many conflicts.

Anything else? Please share with us.

[lolIsuck]

how about you use some of this, Poly?
http://www.liebaart.org/milita_e.htm

[danny X]

how about you use some of this, Poly?
http://www.liebaart.org/milita_e.htm

Whoa, that first picture would make a great loading screen pic!

[Polycarpe]

how about you use some of this, Poly?
http://www.liebaart.org/milita_e.htm

Ahh! That's an excellent source right there. +rep.

Hmm compared to most European kingdoms, Flanders were using the militia for both defending and military campaigns! Seems the town council understand that training artisans, craftsmen and other commoners could provide an effective force for Flanders.

Flanders' favorite weapons; the pike and the Goedendag. The first one was used both offense and defense, excel at defeating the French knights. The Goedendag is an hybrid weapon between a club and a spear. Their favorite tactics were to make tight formation of pikemen, when stopping the cavalry charge, the men using the Goedendag were finishing the job.

The "Patricians" could be considered the elite of the commoners, comparable to the English Yeomen. They were acting as the cavalry force for Flanders. Indeed, Flanders will use their knights as heavy cavalry force.

For ranged units, the most used weapon was the crossbow; no superior training needed, very effective and cheap to produce. Flanders would have also an elite archer force, coming from a St. George guild.

Swordsmen, spearmen, pikemen, goedendagmen, crossbowmen and some cavalry. May I ask you to make some sort of unit roster? With native names if possible.

[lolIsuck]

Ok, I will try my best

[zlikovac]

Stumbled on this: http://www.fanaticus.org/DBA/armies/IV57/index.html

[Hross]

I'm not sure that Flemish pikemen were actually so common in your period. They were certainly not the specialist elite they came to be during your period.

[lolIsuck]

around 1300 at least they were very common

[Polycarpe]

I'm not sure that Flemish pikemen were actually so common in your period. They were certainly not the specialist elite they came to be during your period.

Hmm additional researches will be required I think, Scotland were using the schiltrom spear prior the Battle of Falkirk, the difference was after this defeat, Robert the Bruce realized that the schiltrom spearmen used at the Battle of Stirling bridge were overrated and the reason why they were so successful was the English longbowmen weren't used at that battle however at Falkirk, they were used and decimate the spearmen. Tehn Bruce formed a professional retinue of Scots Spearmen who were used as versatile specialist compared to the common spearmen; they were used both in offense and defense!

For Flanders case, I believe they were using it prior the Battle of the Golden Spurs but not as much as this event. We have to think Flanders was a county and France was a large kingdom, the Flemish weren't able to raise an equivalent large heavy cavalry force, pike were cheap and easy to produce and requires not a great amount of training. Goedendag weapons on the other hand were vastly used by the Flemish soldiers. Hmm can't say when it was the trigger to the increase of pikemen though.