Siculo-Norman Armies
General History

This list allows you to construct Siculo-norman wargames armies for Warhammer Ancient Battles, spanning the period between the establishment of the first Norman states in the mid-11th century, up to the end at the hands of the German Emperor in 1194.

The first Normans to enter the scene in Italy were most likely adventurers or mercenaries aiding in the revolt against Byzantine rule. Eventually, these adventurers accepted pay in land and began to carve out fiefdoms for themselves. By 1059, Norman rule under the leadership of Robert Guiscard was recognized by the Pope and the last outpost of Imperial authority, Bari, fell by 1071. By 1080 the invasion of Sicily had begun, and its formal incorporation in 1127 in the Norman state lead to its recognization as a kingdom by 1130. However, by the late 12th century Norman power began to wane, and the dynasty was finally overthrown at the hands of the German Emperor in 1194.

Army Composition

Characters: 0-25%

Cavalry: 25-75%

Infantry: 25-75%

Special Units: 0-25%

Special Rules

Combined Formation: Knights when fighting on horseback often fought with mounted sergeants in the rear ranks. Any unit of knights may combine with sergeants in the rear rank. All casualties are determined against the knights first.

Ferocious Charge: The charge of a unit of Norman knights was renowned for its ferocity, and few opponents could stand up to it. If a unit from the army noted as having "ferocious charge" charges, and wins the round of combat, then their opponent will automatically break, with no Leadership test being taken. Enemy units that normally ignore Break tests must roll 1D6; an a roll of 1-3 they are broken anyway, and on a roll of 4-6 they hold.

Characters

Army General

Many armies during the Middle Ages were lead by the King. Indeed it was the expected duty of the King to lead his armies into battle, and rulers who were good generals were often well liked (at least by the people who mattered). However, the king might delegate authority to one of the great magnates of the kingdom to lead in his absence.
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts
King 
Magnate 
Warhorse


8


3


3


3


-


-


3


1
10 

-
210 
190 
-

Equipment: Equiped with a hand weapon, shield, thrusting spear and light armor. May have heavy armor (+2), lance (+3) and may ride a warhorse (+3).

Special Rules: Ferocious Charge & Army General.

0-4 Lords (80pts)

It was a standard Medieval practice to divide the army into a handful of seperate, self-supporting units on the battlefield. These units, referred to as Battles, often mixed cavalry, infantry, and archers into a chain of command. They were usually lead into battle by the great lords of the land, the Crowned Prince, or relatives of the King.
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld
Lord 
Warhorse

8

3

-

3

-

-

3

1

-

Equipment: Equiped with a hand weapon, shield, thrusting spear, and light armor. May have heavy armor (+2), lance (+3) and ride a warhorse (+3)

Special Rules: Army may have only 1 Lord per 1000 points of troops to a maximum of 4. Ferocious Charge
 
0-1 Army Standard Bearer (100pts)
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld
ASB
Warhorse
4
8
5
3
5
-
3
3
4
-
2
-
4
3
2
1
8
-

Equipment: Equiped with a hand weapon, shield, thrusting spear, and light armor. May ne equiped with heavy armor (+2), lance (+3) and ride a warhorse (+3).

Special Rules: Army Standard Bearer.

Cavalry

Knight (30pts)
 
Knights formed the backbone of many Medieval European armies. Heavily armed and armored, and riding on a specially breed warhorse (always a stallion), these semi-professional men of action trained in the art of war since childhood. The Norman Kingdom had established well over 3000 knights fees in Italy alone, made up of both Normans rewarded for their service, as well as local Italians who had served as heavy cavalry in the old civic militia armies.
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld
Knight
Warhorse
4
8
4
3
4
-
3
3
3
-
1
-
4
3
1
1
7
5

Equipment: Equiped with a hand weapon, shield, thrusting spear, and light armor. Maybe equiped with heavy armor (+2), lance (+3) and double-handed weapon instead of a lance/spear & shield (free). May fight on foot for -15 points.

Special Rules: Combined formation. Stubborn when on foot. May count rank bonus of up to +1 even though cavalry.

Mounted Sergeant (20pts)

Sergeants are typically a retainer of a lord or king. Like knights they hold land in exchange for a specific service (though unlike knights this is not always military), though some sergeants were paid. A sergeant's fee is typically smaller than that of a knight's. Typically, equipment is not quite as good (or extensive) as a knight's, though the two might indeed be very similar.
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld
Sergeant
Warhorse
4
8
3
3
3
-
3
3
3
-
1
-
3
3
1
1
7
5
 
Equipment: Equiped with a hand weapon and warhorse. May have a shield (+1), light armor (+2), and thrusting spear (+2) . May fight on foot for -15pts, but only with knights.

Special Rules: Combined Formation.

0-1 Muslim Heavy Cavalry (20pts)

Even after the conquest of Sicily from the ruling Emirs, local Muslim troops served an important role in the Italo-norman armies, with the aristocrats serving as mercenaries in the army in exchange for a degree of religious tolerance and some autonomy. Many of the more aristocratic troops served as heavy cavalry alongside European knights, though their numbers were never nearly as great.
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld
Cavalry
Horse
4
8
3
-
3
-
3
-
3
-
1
-
3
-
1
-
7
5

Equipment: Armed with a thrusting spear, hand weapon, light armor, and shield.

Special Rule: May not be used against other muslims

0-1 Muslim Light Cavalry (16pts)
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld
Cavalry
Horse
4
8
3
-
3
-
3
-
3
-
1
-
3
-
1
-
7
5

Equipment: Armed with thrusting spear, sword and shield. May have javelins (free) in place of the thrusting spear. May have light armor (+2).

Special Rules: Light Cavalry. May not be used against other muslims.

Infantry

Foot Sergeants (7pts)

Like many other states in Europe, the Normans continued to use a small, professional army maintained during peace and war, for garrisoning castles and the like. Typically foot sergeants were mercenaries--either of foreign or local origin.
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld
Sergeant 4 3 3 3 3 1 3 1 7

Equipment: Armed with a hand weapon, spear and shield. May be equiped with light armor (+2).

Crossbowmen (8pts)

Like foot sergeants, these were paid retainers in the service of a lord or other noble. Their powerful crossbows (typically of composite construction) could be deadly even to armored knights.
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld
Crossbow 4 3 3 3 3 1 3 1 7

Equipment: armed with a hand weapon and a crossbow. May wear light armor (+2).

Special Rules: Light Infantry.

Italian Militia (6pts)

After the dissolution of the Thematic Byzantine armies in Italy, local defence was entrusted entirely to the civic militias. These men were expected to provide their own equipment. Some militias were such effective fighters that the Normans continued to rely on them after their defeat, allowing them to control crucial town defences and gates.
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld
Militia 4 2 2 3 3 1 3 1 6

Eqipment: armed with a hand weapon, shield and thrusting spear. May wear light armor (+2).

Muslim Militia (5pts)

Like the Italian militia, the Normans relied on muslim townsmen to provide troops for the army. As the Normans fought just about every one of their neighbors at one point or another, these troops were important. However, as Norman power consolidated and the treasuries were enriched, these troops were increasingly less called upon, with Frankish, Greek, Slavic or Italian mercenaries being employed in their place
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld
Militia 4 2 2 3 3 1 3 1 7

Equipment: armed with a hand weapon, shield and spear. May be equiped with light armor (+2).

Special Rules: may not be used against other muslims.

Mulsim Bowmen (6pts)

Muslim archers played an important role in the Norman army. Armed with efficient composite bows and able to fire "under the shield," these troops were particularly well suited to fighting in rough terrain where their maneuverability and mobility were just as good--if not better--than a heavy cavalryman. Like other muslim troops, however, there was an unofficial agreement that they would not be used against their fellow faithful.
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld
Bowmen 4 2 3 3 3 1 3 1 7

Equipment: armed with a hand weapon and a composite shortbow. May use a buckler (+1).

Sepcial Units

0-1 Siege Engines

Siege engines were often absolutely neccessary in any campaign in which fortifications were expected. The Italio-normans often employed local Sicilian muslims to fulfil this task.
 
M WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts
Catapult - - - - 7 3 - - - 75
Ballista - - - - 6 2 - - - 50
Crew 4 3 3 3 3 1 3 1 3 free

Equipment: Each machine has a crew of two to five men armed with hand weapons. The crew may have light armor (+2 each).

Special Rules: Catapults may only be used during a siege, and are presented here out of completeness.

Catapult: Range=48", S=7, no save, D3 wounds per hit.
Ballista: Range=48", S5/-1 per rank, no save, D4 wounds per hit.