Anyone know about Medieval armies?

[Einna]

Well, do ya? I'm designing a bunch for Nano, and I need to know roughly how much of what goes into an Army...I mean, what percent's heavey/light cavalry/infactry/archers, etc...or if anyone knows any sites, I would quite merrily be forever in your debt.

[snooze]

Well...I downloaded Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings. I've spent the last week building the world's most massive army and decimating the Goths. I dunno how historically accurate it is, but it sure is fun. And nerdy.

[vampindelibleink]

Not a specific answer, but this might be a good starting point: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_warfare
There are also links to significant medevial battles that might serve as models for campaigns you are conducting in fiction.

[Tundra]

When in the medieval era are you talking?

[Aimless]

Baby, it depends entirely on the region, the politics, the neighbours, the enemies, the resources available, etc, etc :P

Do you simply mean medieval-style armies, or actual real-world historical armies?

[Einna]

I just mean, literally, I have to create an army. I'm building the world AROUND said army. I just know nothing whatsoever about army structures.
I just meant like...you know...generally, what are there most of/least of, where does what go, etc (I mean, I know Archers go to the back...that's about it).

[snooze]

To put in my dork-esque two bits again, in AoE2 you click on all your miliatary units and set them to marching and they organize themselves into formation. If I can recall correctly, (if your troops are marching in a defensive box type formation,) Cavalry and knights and others on horses if you have them (excepting horse archers,) go at the front and flanks of the group. Longswords men and ground fighters march in the middle, and, like you said, the archers bring up the back. For seige weapons, when moving and not attacking, battering rams seem to go at the back, as they are only useful at close range and on buildings. The ones that spew fire and rocks can go at the front. And this is all I can about remember, dunno if it helps. There's also other formations, the only important one being the attack formation, where the group splits in half to surround it's enemy rather than a head-on attack.

[Einna]

Hmm...I think you're that's actually the best idea I've found on any site so far...'specially since I've got AoE 3 (the new one...squee!)

[Aimless]

Ffs, you build the army to suit the campaign and the region, not the other way around Einna. Armies develop, specialise, grow to meet different demands. Please, reconsider :|

[Einna]

Thing is, the army will be making an appearence in the story, but the world itself won't. I know how complex that sounds, but that's what I'm doing for the story. That plot never get's passed the planning stage in the Nano, but the armies are needed.

[Orion283]

I suppose it depends on how much the army matters. The composition of any fighting force is largely depending on who they fight, how they fight, and why they fight. Picking something that this particular army does really well is a great way of making it stand out in the reader's memory.

Did this army fight a particular enemy alot in the past, perhaps even being formed particularly to fight this enemy? If their foes made use of alot of cavalry they'd likely be skilled at making traps such as pits and spikes that would stop a charge, sneaking about, and readying pikes against a charge.

Did this army fight on a particular terrain alot in the past? If most of their battles took place on large open fields or other areas without overhanging obstructions they may make extensive use of archers to make targeted volleys against enemy formations.

Is there some symbolism to how the army fights? Do their primary warriors wield a battleaxe because their war deity favors it, or perhaps refuse to use any sort of ranged weapons due to finding them dishonorable?

If you're writing a fantasy story there's other options too. For example, if the army was formed to wipe out a werewolf horde you may see every soldier carrying a silver dagger on their belt, as much for protection as for symbolism of those who fought the werewolves in ages past.

[Aimless]

Yes, little rituals and superstitious stuff and brands and stuff are great ways to add character.

A safe way to make the army special would be to have lots of skilled engineers ;) Make them martial-arts specialists, perhaps? Is magic an option? If so, then special healers? Or, muhahaha, necromancers? ;)

Of course, I only say that because I love Erikson's wonderful sappers :)

If you want a very versatile kind of army, you'd probably do best to either model it on modern armies, or, like, the ancient Roman or Chinese armies. Possibly also armies in the Englightenment or Renaissance periods.

What kinda tech are you allowing yourself? Gun-powder? Chemical explosives? What about crossbows? Erikson's Malazan marines for example all seem to be very profficient with assault crossbows. The Chinese also used crossbows to great effect in their ears. I mean, wars :o An improved version of the Chinese repeating crossbow would be awesome (damn me if I don't give my armies something like that ;)):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repeating_crossbow
Repeating crossbow - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.arco-iris.com/George/chu-ko-nu.htm
CHU-KO-NU - THE MANCHURIAN REPEATING CROSSBOW

http://www.codesmiths.com/shed/things/knives/chinese_repeating_crossbow/
Chinese Repeating Crossbow

Actually, yeah, if you really want to make it generally capable, crossbows would be a good start. Essentially negates armour, much like longbows, but are easier to learn to use, kinda like guns. A good longbowman takes years to train up.

With crossbows, you'll need lots of skilled repairmen and stuff, maintenance is kinda tricky. Engineerish people would be useful. Stay away from too much cavalry, I'd say. Infantry's way cooler, and way more versatile on the whole (men can always eat each other :o :o). Primarily regular infantry, with some heavy infantry and light cavalry thrown in perhaps?

How long has the army been, you know, active? How long since they resupplied? When was the last time they took in recruits?

It's really important to figure out if this is a veteran army or not :P

So, uhm. Things you need to figure out no matter what you have planned: character of army, some history, constraints you're willing to work with (technological, magical). Humans are pretty versatile, so don't be too taken in with all that cavalry stuff ;)

If you allow yourself magic, then perhaps some limited use of magical weapons or offensive magic could be allowed a large number of soldiers? Magical projectile weapons, perhaps? Or a company of exceptionally fast (magic-aided) soldiers? Hmmm.

[Einna]

character of army, some history, constraints you're willing to work with (technological, magical). Humans are pretty versatile, so don't be too taken in with all that cavalry stuff

Okay, so here's the preveiw:

Hitaisu's army are more technologically advanced and have fought and conquored many other armies and civilizations in the past (hence the advanced part...they nick stuff from other cultures). They're up to hand guns, but not as far as nukes or missiles. They use brute force, and fight for fame and glory.

Keuka's army are magic users, following the old ways of the earth, but they will not use magic to kill directly. Defend, or course, injure, fine, even cause death, but they won't directly kill. Something that they often rely upon is using their actual physical army (which is rather pathetic) and luring the enemy somewhere they can, oh say, drop a mountain on them. They use the element of surprise and cover their trail by making it look like a natural disaster. Few know that they use magics in this form. Keuka's army fight for their beleifs.

Well? Besides being a walking cliche, how does it stand?