(History) Medieval armies of Provence

[Athos1660]

Some (fragmentary) infos about the armies of the Comté of Provence, for those interested.

Two academic papers show an army made of MAA, Crossbowmen, Pavisiers (+ Brigands and archers in 1374)

1) The decision to recruit a contingent in 1347 (Nobility’s share) and 1359 (total) taken by une assemblée des États de Provence



1347 (Nobility’s share) :
500 riders (armigeri equites)
250 crossbowmen
250 Pavesiers

1359 (Total) :
500 riders (glavii seu armigeri)
500 crossbowmen
500 Pavesiers

Sources (French)
https://books.openedition.org/pur/5380


2) An incomplete record of a military inspection made in 1374
(certainly to fight Breton Free Companies plundering the Provence since the Périgueux’ truce (1374) led by Olivier Du Guesclin, Bertrand’s brother)

Several pages of this record are missing, so the total number of soldiers recruited in 1374 is unknown.



Two columns (soldiers recruited for the time of a cavalcade, soldiers definitely recruited)

Foot
« Commanders » : 4 - 6
Crossbowmen : 105
Pavesiers : 30
Brigands : - / 90
Divers : 5 - 8

Mounted
Total : 29 men (11 lances) - 160 men (61 lances)

Soldiers' geographical origin on pages 18-21.

Some info about Soldiers' weapons and armour on pages 25-26. Worth noting :
- some soldiers identified as 'Brigands' carry a bow. Maybe could be used as 'light archers' ?
- no info about the weapons/equipment of the mounted ones.

Sources (French)
https://www.persee.fr/doc/anami_0003-43 ... 1_141_1741

[Dux Limitis]

Very useful information, thanks for sharing. Maybe the game should add some light archers to the appropriate French list? As we already had bidowers.

[Athos1660]

Very useful information, thanks for sharing. Maybe the game should add some light archers to the appropriate French list? As we already had bidowers.

I don't have opinion on that. The OP is a copy/paste of a post I made a few years ago. I posted here only to provide info on the armies of Provence. I should have deleted the sentence about "light archers" in the armies of Provence, which has never meant to be a suggestion to add light archers to French lists.

(Plus, French are not meant to know how to use bows (100% joke)).

What is shown in these documents is above all that the equipment could be/was heterogeneous irl.
Not-heavily complex wargames are meant to simplify/homogenise part of the reality to make it more easily playable.