Eric's English Rules of War (written in 18th century military style!)
no.1: On the Proper Use of Multiple Army Corps in the Invasion of Enemy Countries:
It is well known that a single army corps cannot take an entire country, paticularly a large country such as the Holy Roman Empire, by itself. Therefore it is imperative that multiple, self-sufficient corps be used to engage the enemy on multiple fronts, and prevent them from setting their full strength against you in any one place. Exceptionally planning, training and execution is neccesary. For example, let us look at the Paris Campaign, in which several English armies engaged the French on multiple fronts, allowing for the capture of Paris in 1198. At the time, the French held Paris, Toulouse and Metz. Paris was their only city, while Metz and Toulouse were well-fortified fortresses, fully garrisoned. Seven army corps were used in simultaneously in the campaign, over 14,000 men acting in coordination, such operations must be superbly planned and executed with the most careful timing. The Paris Campaign is one of the greatest examples of that planning and timing. The I Corp, led by Toby of Canterbury, successfully engaged and destroyed the only mobile army the French had, at a bridge some miles away from Paris. After his victory, the II and III Corps, led by Prince Richard and Henry the Crusader, respectively, invested Paris together. The IV Corps of Prince Charles and the V Corps of Balian, Duke of York engaged in containment operations, besieging both Metz and Toulous to prevent their garrison's from marching to Paris' aid. The VI and VII Corps stayed on the roads, both blocking them from use if any French managed to break through the Sieges of Metz and Toulouse and ready to move to any other army's aid at a moment's notice. Toby's I Corp joined the II and III Corps at Paris, and the French surrendered shortly after. With Paris in English possesion, the Sieges of Metz and Toulouse did not last much longer. Prince Richard was declared King Richard of England, Scotland and France shortly after, on the death of his father King Edward Scotsbane
no.2: On the proper use of stakes and longbowmen in European warfare
The firepower of a well-drilled battalion of English longbowmen is almost unparreleled on the fields of European combat. Fast to reload, and more accurate than a crossbow, the use of longbowmen can be decisive against almost any foe. Their skills as sappers, as seen by the planting of stakes, should also not go underestimated. However, many generals misuse their longbowmen. At the beginning of battle, ideally your formation should be deployed on high ground. At the base of the hill should be a line of longbowmen in formation, stakes planted. Many Continental powers really on cavalry as their heavy, frontal assault unit, and the stakes should negate this. They should also be ordered to hold their fire until the enemy is well within range, so that when they finally do give a volley, they fire in unison for the greatest effect. As the enemy army approaches, the longbowmen should focus on enemy archers to remove any opposing arrowfire, then withdraw to the upper slopes of the hill behind the infantry line. The stakes will prevent your infantry line from having to receive enemy heavy cavalry, and your own cavalry should be deployed to the flanks to engage any enemy horsemen attempting to go around the stakes. While your infantry engage enemy footmen, the longbowmen are free to resume their arrow volleys. In this way, any army should be able to win with the correct training, provided that your infantry can be called upon to defeat their counterparts and your cavalry can at least hold the enemy horsemen. If they cannot regularly, then use the longbowmen to soften enemy formations by spreading casualties and weakening morale and resolve. Flaming arrows are often of paticular effectiveness for this purpose. Artillery is not neccesary, but can be useful through use of exploding munitions
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