I quite like using HOTT for historical armies. Here is my current thinking on Christian Armies of the Reconquista for HOTT.
- HOTT Options
- III/35. Feudal Spanish. 718AD-1340AD
- IV/60. Catalan Company. 1302AD-1388AD
- IV/68. Medieval Spanish or Portuguese. 1340AD-1485AD
- Strongholds
All figures, unless otherwise noted, are from Essex Miniatures and are painted by me.
HOTT Options
All of the Christian Armies may substitute any of the following HOTT alternatives:
Hero: El Cid or similar
(The figure is from Donnington and the horse from Essex.)
Paladin: Santiago Matamoros (St James the Moor killer on a white horse)
Hero: Champion (Alferez) on foot
(Painted by Ross Pirie; Figure is from Donnington)
Magician (1): Court Wizard
Magician (2): Necromancer
Magician (3): The Bishop
(I think the figures and altar are from Donnington)
Beasts x 2: Cattle
Stampeding bulls were used by Hannibal in Italy, but I assume he learnt this trick in Spain
given the later habit of the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona and all that.
(Hmmm, I think the figures are from Donnington)
Beasts: Flock of sheep
Medieval Spain was dominated by the Sheep guilds after all
(I think they’re from Donnington)
Beasts: Wolves
(Probably from Peter Pig)
Beasts: War Dogs
Beasts: War Dogs
Beasts: Wolves
Sneaker: Peddler
Sneaker: Assassin
(Musuem Minatures)
Sneaker: Almughavares raiders
Lurker (1): Ambush Party
Lurker (2): Ambush Party
Paladin: Any Knights from a Military Order (Santiago, Calatrava, etc)
Flyer: Levitating Monk
Cleric: Hermit on a pole
(Carpet is scratch built – flash, I am.)
Flyer: Warrior on Flying Horse
Aerial Hero: Santiago Matamoros (St James the Moor killer on a white horse)
Cleric: The Friars
(Chap at the front is from Donnington)
Water Lurker: Caravel or similar
III/35. Feudal Spanish. 718AD-1340AD.
1 Knight General
3 Knights (Hidalgos and similar)
1 Rider (Jinetes or similar)
5 Shooters (Archers, Slingers, or Javelinmen)
4 Hordes (Spearmen or massed Javelinmen)
Alternatives
1 Blade General (dismounted knights or with Axemen bodyguard)
1 Spear (Military Orders Sergeants)
1 Warband (Almughavares and similar)
1 Behemoth (Warwagon with Cross of Pelagius)
Stronghold: Castle Gate or Middle Eastern City Gate
Arable Terrain: 1-2 BUA or Road plus 2-3 Rivers, Steep Hills, Gentle Hills, Woods, Road, and/or Waterway
IV/60. Catalan Company. 1302AD-1388AD.
1 Knight General (knights)
1 Rider (Light horse)
8 Warband (Almughavares)
2 Shooters (Archers)
Alternatives
2 Riders (Light Horse)
Stronghold: Greek City Gate
Arable Terrain: 1-2 BUA or Road plus 2-3 Rivers, Steep Hills, Gentle Hills, Woods, Road, and/or Waterway
IV/68. Medieval Spanish or Portuguese. 1340AD-1485AD.
(a) Spanish
1 Knight General
3 Knights (Hidalgos and similar)
2 Rider (Jinetes or similar)
3 Shooters (Archers, Crossbowmen and/or Slingers)
2 Warband (Almughavares and similar)
2 Hordes (Spearmen)
Alternatives
1 Shooter (Longbow)
1 Rider (Jinetes)
1 Blade (dismounted knights)
1 Spear (trained spearmen such as Military Orders Sergeants or Hermandad)
Stronghold: Castle Gate or Middle Eastern City Gate
Arable Terrain: 1-2 BUA or Road plus 2-3 Rivers, Steep Hills, Gentle Hills, Woods, Road, and/or Waterway
(b) Portuguese
1 Knight General or 1 Blade General
3 Knights or 3 Blades (Hidalgos and similar)
1 Rider (Jinetes or similar)
4 Shooters (Archers, Longbowmen, Crossbowmen and/or Slingers)
2 Warband (Javelinemen)
2 Hordes (Spearmen)
Alternatives
1 Spear (trained spearmen such as Military Orders Sergeants)
Stronghold: Castle Gate or Middle Eastern City Gate
Arable Terrain: 1-2 BUA or Road plus 2-3 Rivers, Steep Hills, Gentle Hills, Woods, Road, and/or Waterway
Strongholds
Stronghold: Tent
This is a pretty small Stronghold, being the size of a DBM baggage element, but it does the trick.
Tent
Stronghold: Supply Depot
Every army needs supplies and these guys provide them.
Supply Base
The separate Camp Follower stand is for DBA
Spiritual Stronghold
I’m particularly fond of this one. Dark Age battles frequently featured massed praying monks, so I thought I’d use this as my camp/stronghold for the Britannia 600 campaign. There are 27 monks on a 3″x3″ base.
Spiritual Stronghold (Front)
Spiritual Stronghold (Rear)
The four figures at the back are removable and represent the camp followers demanded by DBA.
Spiritual Camp Followers
References
Barker, P., Laffin Barker, S., Bodley Scott, R. (2002). Hordes of the Things [2nd Ed.]. Wargames Research Group.
Saunders, Alan., The Stronghold.