Dorsaete Melee Infantry

Royal Companions

In the years following the departure of the Romans from Britain, many communities had to organise their headship – at least in part – for the purposes of war. In many places, the constant threat of invasion or absorption by hostile expanding neighbours meant that the links between social organisation and martial organisation were close and integral, which was reflected in the hierarchy. Every social or family group had to look to their own security to defend their rights and interests, and it was no different for the ruling elite. The function of kings and chiefs was, above all, to provide war leadership. In many parts of Britain, leaders of tribal descent used loyalty systems which granted the best warriors the greatest rewards when in service of their households as companions or bodyguards, which extended onto the battlefield. A similar system existed in Celtic Ireland and Scotland, where martial leaders presided over small and ever-changing kingdoms alongside nobles and royal followers who fought in their direct service. The Welsh, although less influenced by feudalism, also operated under similar systems of the ‘teulu’ – the individual princes’ and chieftains’ personal bodyguards – who typically went to war alongside larger numbers of freemen who made up the bulk of the armies.

Unit Name Royal Companions

Main Unit Key eng_royal_companions

Land Unit Key eng_royal_companions

Naval Unit Key vik_draca

Soldiers 100

Category Melee Infantry

Class Melee Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 1000

Recruitment Cost 0

Upkeep Cost 100

Melee Skill 45

Melee Damage 42

├ Melee Weapon vik_sword_elite

├ Melee Base Damage 36

├ Armour-piercing Damage 6

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Attack Against Cavalry 0

├ Attack Against Elephants 0

└ Attack Against Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 30

Melee Defence 90

├ Base Defence 45

├ Shield vik_reinforced

└ Shield 45

Armour 12

├ Armour vik_leather

├ Armour Defence 12

└ Shield Armour 0

Health 100

├ Man Entity vik_inf_heavy

├ Man Health 100

└ Bonus Hit Points 0

Morale 50

Abilities

• Shield Castle
  "Heads down, lads, things are about to get a little hairy around here!"
  Units cannot move in this formation.

Attributes

• [[col:yellow]]Expert Charge Defence[[/col]]
  This unit’s melee attack and damage are increased against charging enemies.
• [[col:yellow]]Disciplined[[/col]]
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• [[col:yellow]]Encourage[[/col]]
  This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.
• [[col:yellow]]Hide (forest)[[/col]]
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.

Strengths & Weaknesses

No Strengths and Weaknesses

Upgrade
Required Technology Cost 150 Upgrade To

Faction Availability
Thrones of Britannia	Cent Defena Dorsaete East Seaxe Hwicce Mierce Northleode English Rebels English Usurpers Mierce Usurpers West Seaxe Usurpers Suth Seaxe West Seaxe Westernas Westmoringas