Ordonnance archers in core list

[davbenbak]

I'm suprised to see that the Ordonnance archers are not required at a 1:1 ratio with Gendarmes as core troops for the French Italian wars army. They appear to be optional? I guess my understanding was that at the time the Cavalry was essentially organized into three man "lances" consisiting of a fully armoured Gendarmes, a heavily armoured Archer (who of course had long since ceased to serve as archers) and a page or coutilier. Are they thought to be incorporated into the Gendarmes units? If so then why are Ordonnance archers even mentioned as a seperate unit? Any thoughts?

[rbodleyscott]

I'm suprised to see that the Ordonnance archers are not required at a 1:1 ratio with Gendarmes as core troops for the French Italian wars army. They appear to be optional? I guess my understanding was that at the time the Cavalry was essentially organized into three man "lances" consisiting of a fully armoured Gendarmes, a heavily armoured Archer (who of course had long since ceased to serve as archers) and a page or coutilier. Are they thought to be incorporated into the Gendarmes units?

Sometimes but not always.

If so then why are Ordonnance archers even mentioned as a seperate unit?

As above