Early Saxons (400AD - 650AD)
by Thomas Setzer
When the Romans withdrew the legions from Britain and left the province weakened, three strong Germanic peoples began an invasion which would over time submerge the Romano British culture. These were the Saxons from northern Germany, the Angles from the southern area of the Jutland peninsula, the area known as Angeln, and the Jutes from Jutland Proper. The Roman chroniclers of the period seem to identify all of these peoples, Saxons, Angles, Jutes, and the Frisians as Saxons and/or Anglo-Saxons. They were not though at this time one people, that came later after the disappearance of the last lowland Roman-British states in the early seventh century.
The First Saxons to arrive in Britain came by invitation to serve as mercenaries in the defense of Britain against invading Irish tribes, the Scotii, and the Picts of Northern Britain. The largest of these early invasions of Saxon mercenaries were those lead by Hengist and Horsa some time between c.440-460AD. They were employed by Vortigern and set up their own petty kingdoms, and for the next two centuries fought to overcome the native Romano-Celtic people.
At times they were slowed and even driven back by such leaders as Ambrosius Aurelanius and Artorius. But eventually the Saxons were victorious and Roman Britain became Anglo-Saxon England.
Army Selection
- Characters. The Army may have a general, army standard bearer, and up to two sub-chiefs/Eoldormen.
- Infantry: At least half of the points value of the army.
- Skirmishers, Archers, Allies & Mercenaries: Up to a quarter of the points value of the army.
The mininimum size for a regiment is five models. There is no upper limit. One model in each unit may be upgraded to Leader (+5 points), Standard Bearer (+5 points) and Musician (+5 points).
Special Rules
Shieldwall
Units made up of Thegns or Household Guard may fight in shieldwall instead of moving, as long as the unit is in shieldwall formation then all enemy attacks from the front of the unit (shooting and hand to hand combat) suffer a -1 to hit modifier. The unit benefits from the shieldwall as long as it doesn't move or lose a round of close combat.
Household Guard (Huscarls?)
Household Guard are stubborn and are not subject to the Warbands rules.
CHARACTERS
0-1 ARMY GENERAL........ 160 points
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | |
| General | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
Equipment: Sword, light armour and shield. May have throwing axe (spear) (+2 pts). May have thrusting spear (+2 pts).
Special Rules: Army General.
0-1 ARMY STANDARD BEARER........ 100 points
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | |
| Standard Bearer | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
Equipment: Armed with sword, light armour and shield.
Special Rules: Army Standard.
0-2 SUB-CHIEF........ 80 points
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | |
| Sub-chief | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
Equipment: Sword, light armour and shield. May have throwing axe (spear) (+2 pts). May have thrusting spear (+2 pts).
Infantry
0-1 Household Guard ........ 18 points per model
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | |
| Household Guard | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 9 |
Equipment: Sword, light armour and shield. May have throwing axe (spear) (+2 pts). May have thrusting spear (+2 pts). May have javelins (+1 pt).
Special Rules: Stubborn. May form shieldwall.
THEGNS ........ 9 points per model
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | |
| Thegns | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
Equipment: Seax and shield. May have light armour (+3 pts). May have throwing axe (spear) (+2 pts). May have thrusting spear (+2 pts). May have javelins (+1 pt).
Special Rules: Subject to warband psychology unless within 12" of army general. May form shieldwall. May have one unit of Thegns for every two units of Ceorls.
CEORLS ........ 5 points per model
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | |
| Ceorls | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
Equipment: Seax, thrusting spear & shield. May have throwing axe (spear) (+2 pts). May have javelins (+1 pt).
Special Rules: Subject to warband psychology unless within 12" of army general. May form shieldwall.
LEVY SCRAPINGS ........ 4 points per model
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | |
| Levy Scrapings | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
Equipment: Hand weapon, thrusting spear & shield.
Special Rules: Subject to warband psychology unless within 12" of army general. May form shieldwall.
Skirmishers, Archers, Allies & Mercenaries
SKIRMISHERS .............. 4 points per model
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | |
| Skirmishers | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
Equipment: Hand weapon, Javelins or sling. May have bow (+1 pt).
Special Rules: Skirmishers
ARCHERS .............. 5 points per model
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | |
| Archers | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
Equipment: Hand weapon and Bow.
Allies
May take allies from the Scots Irish, and Pictish army lists.
