A 2,000 point Crusader Army for Warhammer Ancient Battles
The Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem was established in 1100 and was finally extinguished in 1291. Continually at war and with a minority population, there was a constant shortage of manpower, which the normal system of feudalism was unable to provide.
The Military Orders, soldiers who had taken oaths of obedience before God (and could therefore be relied upon, unlike most Medieval troops), were one of the most important sources of manpower in the Crusader states. Contingents of the Templars or Hospitallers, appeared in every army of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from the 12th century onwards. These warrior monks were formidable opponents, for example the black and white banner of the Templars signified;
'they were fair and kindly to their friends , but black and terrible to their enemies'
The infantry in the Crusader states ranged from pilgrims armed with no more than a spear or bow - some indeed believed that faith alone would overcome their enemies - through to well-armed and armoured mercenaries. By the middle of the late-12th century the crossbow was the weapon par excellence of the Frankish infantryman.
Outranging the bows of their mainly mounted opponents, crossbows could be a battle winner for the Franks, if they could be protected either by the shields of spearmen or the threat of a mounted charge, which prevented the Arab cavalry from getting too close.
However missile power could only make a battle a stand-off, to be truly decisive a charge by the Frankish knights was required, launched too soon and the Arabs would merely evade it and tempt the knights out to where they could be cut off from the infantry and destroyed. If the Arabs themselves were tired, the charge could contact and sweep them from the field. It took a good commander to get the timing right.
Shield designs are transfers (decals) from the Veni
Vidi Vici range and where spears/lances were added to the figures
brass
wire spears were used (stops them bending but watch out, they are
sharp). Basing is done by using a flocking gel from Renaissance
Ink painted dark earth, drybrushed with sand and then with patches
of GW grass added (thinned down PVA glue sprinkled with the grass does
the trick).
Most of the amies figures are from Gripping Beast but there are some from
other manufacturers (see unit descriptions).
General
Lance; Heavy Armor Upgrade; Shield; Warhorse; Army General; Any unit within 12" of the General may use his Leadership when it takes a Leadership test; Must always test before other units in army; Ferocious Charge
Cost 203 points
Army Battle Standard
Heavy Armor Upgrade; Shield; Warhorse; Army Battle Standard; +1 to Combat Resolution; Re-roll failed Break tests if within 12"; Ferocious Charge
Cost 105 points
Unit of 8 military order knights (Hopitallers)
Leader; Standard; Musician; Lance; Heavy Armor Upgrade; Shield; Warhorse; Drilled; Ferocious Charge; Stubborn
If one Military Order Knight unit charges an enemy unit, the other will automatically charge their nearest enemy (or move at least 4" towards nearest enemy if none in range);
Cost 351 points
Gripping Beast figures
Unit of 8 military order knights (Templars)
Leader; Standard; Musician; Lance; Heavy Armor Upgrade; Shield; Warhorse; Drilled; Ferocious Charge; Stubborn
Cost 351 points
Gripping Beast figures
Unit of 10 military order spearmen with 5 crossbows
Leader; Standard; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Shield; Combined Formation; Drilled
Cost 160 points
These figures are from Foundry and Essex Miniatures
30 Pilgrims
Leader; Standard; Musician; Javelin; Warband; Light Troops
Cost 165 points
Gripping Beast figures
2 units each of 16 secular crossbow men
Musician; Crossbow; Light Troops
Cost each unit 149 points
A mix of Gripping Beast, Foundry and Essex Minitures figures
2 units each of 9 Byzantine (allied) crossbow men
Crossbow; Buckler; Skirmishers
Cost each unit 90 points
9 Turcopoles
Leader; Standard; Musician; Bow, Thrusting Spear; Light Armour and Shield; Light Cavalry
Cost 186 points
