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[Matthæus]

Matthæus wasn't Marko Kraljević a traitor, who fought and died on the side of the Ottomans in 1395 ad. against the Hungarians and Wallachians?

Yes.
In real life he was supposed to be next Tsar but ended up was Ottoman vassal. So had to fight "on the wrong side".

In folk stories and songs he was "greatest hero of all".
There are epic tales about this guy in Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia...
He is not even always a good guy in these stories... but he is popular. Mostly he is just and protects the weak.

To give you a small taste of his epicness :
...he is an giant... he is the strongest man ever... his horse is magic... he drunk fairy's milk...

...and he did not die, but sleeps in a cave and will return one day !

[lion8000]

Yes I did read them, they were compulsory literature in school (I'm a Bulgarian). I just find them a little ironical.

[Matthæus]

Yes I did read them, they were compulsory literature in school (I'm a Bulgarian). I just find them a little ironical.

It is ironical.
And I wasn't entirely serious in the description either
Let me put quotation marks in there:
It was the weapon of choice of Marko Kraljević, "the greatest hero" in the Balkans.

But how can one make description of medieval Serbian units,
and not mention this 14th century "Chuck Norris of Balkan" ??

[Cometopuli]

Pretty cool guy he was. In bulgaria we have many epic tales for on him.On of them says that his mother was Evrosiya(a sister to the bulgarian voivod Momchil who ruled at that time in the rhodope mountains) was his mother.

[lion8000]

Matthæus

[You_Guess_Who]

Serbian Unit Description

Thank you! Your descriptions has been integrated to the Serbian units, which just released recently. To see Matthaeus' writing, hover your cursor over any Serbian unit's name in the Info tab.

[Wallachian]

Matthaeus, what is the difference between velmoze and vlastella? I thought they meant the same thing. But then I read somewhere they were different noble classes and it goes from vlastelcic - velmoze - vlastella

[Matthæus]

Matthaeus, what is the difference between velmoze and vlastella? I thought they meant the same thing. But then I read somewhere they were different noble classes and it goes from vlastelcic - velmoze - vlastella

Before 14th century you had "Vojnici" as separate class below lower nobles, but later they merge.


Vlastelčići clearly denotes lower nobility (it literally means small noble).

Vlastela are proper nobility. Usually it is implied higher nobility if it isn't stated otherwise.
(it is possible to say "sitna vlastela" / niža vlastela" for lower nobility or "krupna vlastela" for higher nobility. )

Velmoža is best translated as "magnate". You cannot say "small" or "lover" velmoža. Its used only for highest part of nobility (an example from Bosnia would be ducal families like Hrvatinići or Kosaće).

[Wallachian]

Thanks. Right so Velmoze are basically the highest of the Vlastella. They are the richest vlastella with the biggest lands and power.

I am thinking of renaming the serbian vlastella to velmoze to differentiate them from the bosnian vlastella (I know it's sort of artificial).

What about the term Vitezovi? Does that mean knight?

[Matthæus]

Thanks. Right so Velmoze are basically the highest of the Vlastella. They are the richest vlastella with the biggest lands and power.

I am thinking of renaming the serbian vlastella to velmoze to differentiate them from the bosnian vlastella (I know it's sort of artificial).

What about the term Vitezovi? Does that mean knight?

Bosnia had Velmože too... so...
Even more pronounced since there royal power was relatively weak in later medieval period, and they had real power.
Unlike Despots in Serbia.

Most of terminology related to nobility are similar in Serbia, Bosnia, and to extent Croatia.
Or at least mutually understandable.

Vitez = Knight (in all meaning that word has in English)

[Moon_Man]

Here is an abbreviated quote from Orban, the man who cast the super-bombards the Ottomans utilized at the siege of Constantinople. I personally believe that it could be a suitable quote for the Great Bombard unit.

"I can cast a cannon of bronze with the capacity of the stone you want. I have examined the walls of the city in great detail. I can shatter to dust not only these walls with the stones from my gun, but the very walls of Babylon itself."

As for other cannon or black powder units, I think this famous quote from Pslam 11:6 would suffice as an appropriate medieval allusion:
"Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest, this shall be the portion of their cup."

[Matthæus]

so this is for Croatia...

-----------------

Dalmatian Sailors
Dalmatian coastline is situated on one of most important naval trade routes: from Venice to the East. Wealth, and at times even survival, depended on those trade routes to remain open. But sea can also be dangerously full of threats - pirates and greedy trade rivals. So even though communes had dedicated war galleys (trireme), even on trade ships every sailor was armed. Ships crews were made of commoners but also had convicts and slaves as rowers. Equipment of sailors prescribed by statute of Zadar consists of: helmet, shield, axe or sabre and three javelins. Javelins were also used in defence of the forts, especially on Ragusan territories.


Archers
Contingents of archers were raised via select levy system, later known as “Militia portalis”. Basically for certain numbers of “serf-lots” a archer had to be equipped and sent to battle. Details varied according to period and geography, most common ratio was 1 solder per 20 or 33 serf lots. Cost of raising troops was covered by landowners. Select levy provided decently equipped troops, that however lacked experience and were unwilling to fight for prolonged periods or far away from home. Composite bows of Hungarian and later Turkish design were known, but most would use yew short-bows. For close combat, archers would carry “korda”, single-bladed weapon of local design similar to German messers.


Handgunners
These men (handgunners - puškari) were paid professionals, employed as fortress garrisons, town guards, or directly for Ban who had regiment of two hundred. Handguns of 15th century were imprecise and lacked range but had excellent armor penetration and were equally damaging to enemy morale. Despite shortcomings of early gunpowder weapons, they were widely accepted in Balkans and Hungary, Croatia being no exception.
Most common secondary weapon of these men was “korda”, sable-like locally produced single bladed weapon.


Crossbowmen
<generic crossbowmen description>


Communal crossbowmen
Large crossbow or “baleštra” was considered the most important weapon in city's arsenal and its production, purchase and distribution was strictly monitored.
It was an vicious weapon, precise but slow firing, capable of killing even most armored opponents.
Booth commoners and nobles served as crossbowmen, but they were separated into different units. Great care was taken to equip and train those troops. Regular training and annual shooting competitions were held - a chance to win valuable trophies. Crossbowmen were used on land, and on sea - on merchant ships as well as war galleys.
While most of communes kept their troops close to home, balistarii from Trogir, regarded as most skilled, were used all over the kingdom. They were present in service of Ban, duke of Split, garrison of Klis fortress, queen’s retinue, and some aiding the king Sigismund.


Communal Spearmen
Sentry duty was compulsory for all body-able inhabitants, nobles and commoners alike. Citizens received small financial compensation for the time served, or faced serious financial fines in case of desertion. These part-time soldiers were supposed to guard city walls and gates, and to keep public order inside the walls. But catching occasional thieves and breaking drunken brawls in not the same as fighting in a real pitched battle - for which they lacked training and experience. Only officers had serious military experience.
Weapons of these militiamen were spears and shields. They were not heavily armored - for stone walls, and local patron saint would surely protect them.


Spearmen
In early medieval period these men were members of warrior communities of “jobagiones castri” (Croatian - gradukmeti / translated as castle serfs). These men were living in king’s forts, were given surrounding lands to use, and were relieved of taxation. In exchange they had to guard mentioned forts and go to war under command of district commander (župan) when asked. Their position was however still only “semi-free” because they were not allowed to depart the land they were living. Most of jobagiones served as infantry, equipped with large shields and spears they formed the main line.


Swordsmen
Croatia had, because of inheritance laws and collective rights for whole tribes (according to legend 12 tribes), particularly numerous class of low nobility. Most of them were, in reality, not very different from upper-class peasantry.
A lot of these swordsmen were petty-nobility serving as retainers of more powerful magnates, or semi-free class of castle-warriors (jobaggy) living in royal fortresses for exchange for service. In late medieval period with militarization of the whole society, some would turn to military profession becoming professional soldiers, stationed in most important fortresses.
Since many lacked proper warhorses, they served on foot fighting with swords and shields. Swordsmen wore armor, and had shields for protection. Swords are excellent close-combat weapons especially against spearmen or less armored opponents.


Morlachs / Vlach hooked spearmen
Vlachs are descendants of the Roman and Illyrian population that found safety against Barbarian invasions in high mountains. Vlachs partially kept their romance language and were not fully slavenized by the high middle ages. Those highlanders lived as shepherds and traders in semi-independent pastoral communities. They elected their own duke and judges but, by the “Vlach laws”, owed taxes and military service. Ones that were in possession of land and lived in villages fought with hooked spears called “unča”. These were very effective against cavalry - rider was hooked and pulled away from saddle.


Halberdiers
<generic halberdiers description>


Communal Halberdiers
In addition to their militias cities would employ small force of several hundred professionals to supplement the defence of the city fortifications and keep peace and order inside the city. In times of war their numbers were increased. In the city of Dubrovnik professional soldiers were called “barabanti”, and were stationed at all city gates. Their primary weapons at this period were halberds and swords. Do not be fooled by their light armor, these troops are not a pushover.
Distrustful Ragusans preferred “barabants” to be recruited among catholic Croats rather than Italians (Venetian spies !) or neighbouring orthodox population (heretics !). Communes in Venetian hands would, for same reasons, prefer their mercenaries to be - Italians.


Communal Nobles
Defense of the city was personal obligation of everyone, nobles (members of ruling merchant families) included. It was well known fact that wealth of city commune on the Dalmatian coast does not depend on the land but on trade and craft. Therefore members of noble patrician families were not supposed to lead cavalry charges on open fields, but to defend city walls and gates - on foot. Along the nobility a few man-at-arms were present as guards of duke (knez), and because very rich could send men-at-arms to serve in their behalf.
Wealthy patricians would not rely solely on state proscribed gear - they would buy the best armors Italian workshops had to offer. In earlier times this meant lamellae or coat of plates over mail, and later full plate armor. Weapons changed accordingly with time: from swords and shields to polearms.


Familiares / Retainers
Familiares were members of middle and lower nobility which entered the service of their lords, in exchange for protection and a chance of improving their social status. They were adopted into household, given land, supplies, stipends, offices and other benefits depending on their capabilities. Land grant was for life, but not hereditary in contrast to “proper” feudalism. Familiares were the basis of the nobility’s military power, and their main stronghold in maintaining the estates. They could not afford whole harness, but at minimum possessed mail shirt of local production (in later periods brigandine or cuirass) and an helmet. As such they would fought as lance-armed medium cavalry supporting their heavy armored lords.


Levy Cavalry
When homeland was threatened, Ban proclaimed “insurrection” or general levy. The county regiments were raised and every able man had to join. In second half of 15th century Croatia was hard pressed by Ottoman attacks, and levies were called upon regularly to check enemy raids. Numerous lower nobility, often not much richer than well-off peasants, served as light cavalry.
They didn’t have much of an armor (often just helmet and a shield), or tactical discipline, but at least they had numbers and speed. In battle, levy regiments have to be supported by professional troops to have a chance of victory.


Croatian Hussars
By the end of 15th century it was clear that old fashioned and slow feudal armies could not stop the Ottomans. A new permanent and highly mobile force was needed. Inspired by successful use in Serbia and Hungary, standing formations of around 1,500 hussars were established in key fortifications. Hussars were light cavalrymen, experts in raids and counter-raids. These brave horseman discarded all armor and carried only shields for protection. In order to catch Ottoman raiders - speed is everything ! Hussar lances have longer reach than Turkish ones, which gives them great advantage in combat. In close combat saber was the most popular choice.
New tactics were widely adopted by lower nobility and by mid 1490’s hussars were half of total cavalry cavalry forces in the land.


Mounted Crossbowmen
After nasty shocks caused by intrusion of eastern horse archers (Mongols in 13., Ottomans in 14. / 15. centuries) it was clear that cavalry formations need ranged support. Thus by late 14th century basic cavalry combat team called “lance” was adopted. It consisted of heavily armored knight, supported by lightly armed retainer and mounted crossbowmen. For instance, when preparing for Crusade in 1396. king Sigismund specifically asked for every knight to be accompanied by two mounted archers or crossbowmen.
Light crossbows these men used lacked range and rate of fire of bows, but were easy to use and had good armor penetration.
Traditionally this role in Croatian armies belonged to communities of semi-nomadic Vlachs, rumance-speaking shepherds from Dinaric mountains.


Knights / Vitezovi
Most of the land was ruled by mighty feudal nobility - magnates (velikaši). Each magnate raised armed detachments of 4-500 horsemen called flag or banderium, basically a small private army consisting of their kinsmen, retainers and mercenaries. In late medieval period these became permanent formations of professional man-at-arms. Catholic church was also a major landowner, bishops and knights Hospitallers had their own banderiums.
Core of magnate’s banderium was armored cavalry. Magnates were rich enough to equip their men with full harness of an “western” knight either in German or Italian style armor. Primary weapon of an knight was heavy lance, followed by sword or mace for close combat. Their mounts were proper warhorses, in most cases unarmored.


Ban / Viceroy of Croatia
Ban or viceroy is an ancient tradition, going back to 10th century. He was appointed by the king, despite attempts to make this position hereditary. Ban had highest administrative and judicial authority in the land as well as supreme military command. He maintained personal unit “banderium of the Ban” of 500-1000 cavalrymen. This was permanent force, composed of professional man-at-arms. These experienced soldiers had full suits of armor of latest European fashion, imported from well known manufacturing centers of northern Italy and southern Germany. Primary weapon of an man-at-arms was heavy lance, followed by sword or mace for close combat.

[Matthæus]

And now something completely different:
Ayyubids and Abbasids

Ahdath
Ahdath, literally meaning “young men”, were volonter town militias which maintained order inside city and protected it from external dangers. These troops were recruited amongst indigenous Arab population of Al-Sham region (or in same cases Kurdish or Armenian). These poorly armed and armored irregulars appeared in battles in the immediate vicinity of their hometowns or in sieges. Ahdath militias fought unarmored, either as spearmen spears or archers.

Bedouin Lancers
Bedouins are nomadic Arab people who inhabit the deserts in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq and the Levant. They served as auxiliary cavalry force in all Muslim, and even some Frankish armies of the era. Bedouins were often acting as brigands, attacking weaker side, and robbing Christians and Muslims alike.
Bedouins fought only with reed lances, and swords. They see arrows as dishonorable - real warrior should fight face-to face. It is their belief is that “no-one can die, save on the day appointed”, so wearing armor is not necessary.

Turkmen Horsemen
Turkish tribes appeared first in the the Middle in 11th century, when led by Saljuq Oghuz tribe a massive Turkmen federation migrated westwards from central asia.
Turcoman tribesman were fierce but unreliable soldiers. They fought under their own chieftains and standards, and did not accept other authority or discipline. Turkomans went to war in hope of plunder and prisoners to be ransom. If neither could be obtained, they would sometimes abandon the army.
Turcoman were expert horse archers, armed with short but powerful composite bow. Turkish bow was capable of shooting at great range, but arrows were light, limiting their penetration of the armor. They were unarmored themselves, putting speed and maneuverability as priorities.

Tawashi
Tawashi were free born (non-mamluk) upper class of regular troops in Ayyubid armies.
Like Mamluks faris they were trained in all arts of furusiyya, but specialized to fight with lances. They wore full set of armor, and acted as shock cavalry - similar to frankish knights. And like knight, a tawashi soldier had servant, additional horse, and pack animals to carry his armor and equipment. Since they were well paid, their arms and armor was of great quality.
Tawashi were superior troops, highly regarded even by their enemies, which played a crucial role in Saladin’s victorious armies.



What do you think ?
Should I continue ?

[You_Guess_Who]

Nice, but I advise to take already-finished rosters which won't be revamped again. Not-yet finished rosters or those slated for revamps may have its composition totally remade.

[Matthæus]

Nice, but I advise to take already-finished rosters which won't be revamped again. Not-yet finished rosters or those slated for revamps may have its composition totally remade.

For that reason I won't cover all units but only most important ones - ones that won't be skipped.


Said that, I have some issues with current Mamluk units (with their naming and, roles).
So I'm hopeful of an revamp

[Knight2708]

Teutonic Order:

Sariantbrüder:
As a monastic order whose members were supposedly equal before God regardless of their estate or order, the organisation of the Teutonic Order was initially relatively egalitarian. The non-noble Sariantbrüder (sergeant brothers) were considered full members of the order alongside their knightly counterparts and were permitted many privileges, including participating in the election of the Grandmaster. Distinguished by their grey surcoats adorned with the half cross, these wealthy men fight as heavy cavalry, with the standard of their equipment and proficiency coming close to that of their knightly brothers in arms.

Halbbrüder:
The Teutonic Order underwent major reorganisations in the second half of the 13th century. The Sariantbrüder seemingly disappeared and were replaced by the Halbbrüder (half-brothers). It has been theorised that concerns over growing numbers of burghers entering the Order and becoming increasingly dominant led to a reaction by the noble leadership. Full membership became restricted to members of the nobility and clergy and the brothers of non-noble descent were degraded to the status of half-members. These men likely fought as professional mounted retainers alongside their superiors.

Fussknechte:
The Knechte (servants) of the Teutonic Order’s higher-ranking members carried out a wide range of duties that could be both civilian and military in nature. Those employed as soldiers would have fought on foot with a variety of polearms such as spears, voulges, halberds or battle axes.

[Vassapol]

i am not good at englist so there maybe some grammar problem
Trebizond Archers:
despite greek heritage decade of living in eastern and the requiment of fight horse archer train them well
Varangian Guard:
the betray at constantinople left them untrust,still some

enthusiasm were given seccond chance
(btw it not betray persay they just left byzantine in a really position)
rus merc:
despite the bretrayal

Varangian Guard byzantine still need a powerful vanguard so they hire merc form the birth place of Varangian Guard

[Vassapol]

i am not good at englist so there maybe some grammar problem


Trebizond Archers:
despite greek heritage decade of living in eastern and the requiment of fight horse archer train them well

Varangian Guard:
the betray at constantinople left them untrust,still someenthusiasm were given seccond chance

(btw it not betray persay they just left byzantine in a really position)

rus merc:

despite the bretrayalVarangian Guard byzantine still need a powerful vanguard so they hire merc form the birth place of Varangian Guard

sorry if there was double post there were some font problem

[Vassapol]

okay there were double post sorry (how to edit it or remove i can't find it)

militia spearman:
short:militia don't let that name fool you they can do their job
long:in desperate time of war general will draft pleasant to fight , don't let them fool you under a skill commander they worth every gold maybe even life

militia archer
short:militia don't let that name fool you they can do their job
long: in desperate time of war general will draft pleasant to fight ,they may die fight skill archer but arrow is still arrow again pin infanty
Skirmishers

short:small but pack a punch again armor
long:arrow didn't

pierce armor?need someone chase enemy?they can do it
Scoutatoi:
short:basic line roman infanty
long:the defender human wall of roman come with sword/spear

[Bryce Caron]

I prefer the Crusader States and Kingdom of Jerusalem to any other nation during the time period, so I figured I'd make some period accurate descriptions.

Templar Knights (Mounted): Shortly after the turn of the 12th century Hugh De Payens, a French Knight, approached the Baldwin II and outlined the foundations of a Monastic Knightly Order that would serve the Kingdom and the Christian pilgrims, his proposal was taken up by the King and the Order of the Temple was formed. Nearly a century later, and the Knights Templar had earned a fearsome reputation among the Saracens in the Holy Land. Heavily armed and armored, with lance and sword, the Templar Knights fought with incredible zeal and determination. They easily matched any cavalry the Muslim Princes could field.

Hospitaller Knights (Mounted): Founded around 1099 the Order of Saint John, or the Knights Hospitaller as they were more widely known, were originally created to care for the sick, poor, or injured pilgrims making their way to the Holy Lands. Not long after becoming acclimated to the tumultuous political climate in the East, the Hospitallers quickly became a more militarized Order, akin to the Temple Knights. Although they were seen as slightly less extreme and zealous on the battlefield than some of the other Knightly Orders, the Hospitallers were still incredibly formidable on the battlefield and proved to be a worthy adversary of any Saracen host. Outfitted in similar fashion to their cousins the Templar Knights, they most notably fielded a large amount of heavy cavalry and Knights to be taken up in service to the King, and his army.