Routiers, Free Companies, Ecorcheurs
Bandits on the countryside! The relative impotence of central authority in certain periods is particularly well demonstrated at the end of wars, when troops had to be dismissed. This could be simple, but when circumstances combined at a critical point, it could be difficult for governments to rid themselves of soldiers. In France, this situation arose in three major occasions: with the Routiers of at the turn of the 13th Century, the Free Companies that ravaged the countryside in the 14th Century, and the Ecorcheurs that arose after the Treaty of Arras in 1435. These bands would often raid and pillage the periphery of the great kingdoms for years until they were rounded up and defeated by authorities, or simply hired into another army. These units will pop up as rebels on the campaign map, and be hire-able by all western European factions.
Ruttae
'Ruttae' is the latin word for Routiers.
Ruttae Equites
Though rarer, sometimes Routiers were mounted troops. These are a medium shock cavalry unit.
Pailleri Equites
Pailleri is Latin for "strawmen." It is unclear why bandits were sometimes referred to in this way by chroniclers. Perhaps it was because they wore straw hats, or because they set fire to straw while raiding. This unit is a skirmisher cavalry unit similar in style to Almagovars
Pailleri
Light melee infantry. Throw a precursor javelin before charging.
Cothrelli
Cothrelli is another term sometimes used by chroniclers to describe these bandits. The origin of this is also unclear, but it is thought to derive either from a Latin word for knife (cultellus), or from 'cottar' a word for a poor peasant.
Free Company Longbowmen
English Archers who, having no skills other than fighting, can't seem to find much use for themselves when there are no wars to find employment in, and often sell their services as mercenaries or resort to banditry.
Free Company Hommes d'Armes
French Men at Arms who, having no skills other than fighting, can't seem to find much use for themselves when there are no wars to find employment in, and often sell their services as mercenaries or resort to banditry.
Free Company Chevaliers
French Men at Arms who, having no skills other than fighting, can't seem to find much use for themselves when there are no wars to find employment in, and often sell their services as mercenaries or resort to banditry.
Ecorcheurs
Means "Flayers." Out of work soldiers who ravaged the countryside toward the end of the Hundred Years' War.
Ecorcheur Foot Soldiers
Ecorcheur Crossbowmen
Mounted Ecorcheurs
Unique to Iberian Factions:
Moorish Footmen and Horsemen
Medieval Kingdoms Total War: Routiers, Free Companies, and Ecorcheurs
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Originally Posted by The_Fawn_Rescuer
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