Taliesin
02-21-2012, 01:57 AM
Looking at the descriptions of Followers on pg. 18 of the Book of Battle, it appears to me that Sir Bran doesn't have any. The good knight asks:
VASSALS: Yep, definitely don't have those.
PRIVATE TROOPS: On my income? Pft.
FAMILY: Well, let's see—my GM's already established (more or less) other feudal obligations for them as the text says—at least my brothers and my wife's brethren, too—plus they don't like me anyway. Sure, I have a couple of cousin knights and an uncle or two, but they're all gonna be at Lindsey, fighting with their own units. (we didn't really know to leave some "open" for this purpose). But wait! I have 15 Lineage Men! The core book says "Other men of your family, not themselves knights, can still be useful in a fight. They are never well armed, and are generally unskilled at fighting, but at least they won’t run away immediately upon being attacked. As family members, they have much to gain in any family victory." Can these be my "bodyguards" then? The core book says they're not much better than peasants in a fight. Don't know if I want them as bodyguards!
MANORIAL PERSONNEL: These are the commoners (the "Levy", right?). They don't seem appropriate for this battle against hardened Saxons. Am I wrong? BoB pg 8 says "...the levy is called only to defend the homeland." The Battle of Lincoln sure seems like a battle to defend the homeland to me. Where do the 5,000 foot come from? Are they mercenaries employed by Uther? The Book of Battle, pg 7, says: "From the Uther period to the end of the Boy King period the feudal levy dominates." So maybe my levy should come with after all?
RETINUE: My mensie? The Book of the Manor, on pg. 17, says: "A knight or lady may retain mensie, or military personnel, for protection or war. Two types of soldiers are distinguished: permanent garrison and short-term mercenaries. These combatants are not noblemen, but commoners who have learned the skill of arms." Wait—how's this different from PRIVATE TROOPS, above? Further reading on pg 8 of the Book of Battle reveals "...the mensie is composed of the martial part of the knight household, including the squire, the archers that guard his home," (wait—I have archers?), "the knight's sergeant brother; mercenaries and so forth."
At this point, my noble head is swimming and I pray to God for guidance. But it looks like I have no followers based on my understanding of the designer's intent, (and how the GM's set things up with my family). Prithee, say it is otherwise...
T.
VASSALS: Yep, definitely don't have those.
PRIVATE TROOPS: On my income? Pft.
FAMILY: Well, let's see—my GM's already established (more or less) other feudal obligations for them as the text says—at least my brothers and my wife's brethren, too—plus they don't like me anyway. Sure, I have a couple of cousin knights and an uncle or two, but they're all gonna be at Lindsey, fighting with their own units. (we didn't really know to leave some "open" for this purpose). But wait! I have 15 Lineage Men! The core book says "Other men of your family, not themselves knights, can still be useful in a fight. They are never well armed, and are generally unskilled at fighting, but at least they won’t run away immediately upon being attacked. As family members, they have much to gain in any family victory." Can these be my "bodyguards" then? The core book says they're not much better than peasants in a fight. Don't know if I want them as bodyguards!
MANORIAL PERSONNEL: These are the commoners (the "Levy", right?). They don't seem appropriate for this battle against hardened Saxons. Am I wrong? BoB pg 8 says "...the levy is called only to defend the homeland." The Battle of Lincoln sure seems like a battle to defend the homeland to me. Where do the 5,000 foot come from? Are they mercenaries employed by Uther? The Book of Battle, pg 7, says: "From the Uther period to the end of the Boy King period the feudal levy dominates." So maybe my levy should come with after all?
RETINUE: My mensie? The Book of the Manor, on pg. 17, says: "A knight or lady may retain mensie, or military personnel, for protection or war. Two types of soldiers are distinguished: permanent garrison and short-term mercenaries. These combatants are not noblemen, but commoners who have learned the skill of arms." Wait—how's this different from PRIVATE TROOPS, above? Further reading on pg 8 of the Book of Battle reveals "...the mensie is composed of the martial part of the knight household, including the squire, the archers that guard his home," (wait—I have archers?), "the knight's sergeant brother; mercenaries and so forth."
At this point, my noble head is swimming and I pray to God for guidance. But it looks like I have no followers based on my understanding of the designer's intent, (and how the GM's set things up with my family). Prithee, say it is otherwise...
T.