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Medieval Armies

Scots Common, 1124-1512 AD
(DBA #140)

By Dan Mersey

Don't believe a word of "Braveheart"!! Like many border wars, a great deal of raiding and counter-raiding took place between the English and the Scots, which overspilt into all-out war from time to time. Similar battles took place against the Gaelic Scots in the north, and Scottish attempts to dominate northern Ireland also occured (under the Bruces).

Generally the Scots were ill disciplined and contented themselves to plunder northern English towns, avoiding pitched battles like the plague. Leaders such as William Wallace and Robert Bruce managed to unite their warriors better than most, but even so, their victories were often close run things. Later Scots Common armies were shot to pieces by disciplined English longbow fire, backed up with heavy cavalry charges into the disordered Scottish ranks.

Enemies

The Scots Common has a distinquished list of foes, including Vikings (#106a), Scots Isles & Highlands (#128), Early Medieval Scandinavian (#131a), Anglo-Norman (#134), Anglo-Irish (#144), Feudal English (#145), Medieval Irish (#164), 100 Years War English (#168), and War of the Roses English (#179).

Army Composition

1 x 3 Kn Scottish nobles were influenced by Norman and English feudalism, and fought as any other European knights; some of their armour may have been a little dated, and they often lacked fighting spirit - but "Kn" they were.
8 x 4 Pk The bulk of Scots Common armies were made up of pike armed lowland soldiers, who fought in circular (schiltron) or linear formations. These were effective against enemies who threw themselves wildly at the pike-points, but were deficient against missile troops.
2 x 2 Ps
or 3 Wb		 The "little folk" - highlanders and crofters who were ill-armed but fought with spirit (well, mostly...). They generally filled in gaps between pike formations, or held ground to the flanks or rear of the army - if the Scottish commander could prevent them charging wildly at the start of the battle.
1 x 2 Ps
or 3 Bw		 Archers were used in small numbers by the Scots, usually to give limited protection to pike blocks. These would fight either as skirmishers, or as a formed unit (hence the Bw or Ps choice).


Tactics

Rules are provided in the Additional Rules section of this site for the schiltron pike formation; I use DBA "straight from the bottle" as it were, but try them if you fancy. The main Scottish tactic really has to revolve around the pikemen; the knights and other troops have their uses (especially against some of the Irish and Isles armies), but the weight of numbers lies with the pikes. A slow advance forwards in 2 rows (to claim the massive +3 support bonus) will generally steamroller all enemy elements - but beware of bows breaking up your formation.

Camp

This is really a matter of choice - you could go for medieval tents, a few wagons loaded with plunder, some stolen sheep and slaves, an earthwork rampart, or a wooden pallisaded bailey - it depends upon whose Scots Common army you're representing, and where the battle is being fought.

Painting Guide

The lowland Scottish nobles all had their own coats of arms (William Wallaces' was a white lion rampant on a red background, for example). Pikemen would have worn a variety of colours - some uniformed in the colours of their lords; "little folk" would have worn the usual celtic assortment of checks and tartans.

Further Info

By far and away the best book I've read on this period is THE WARS OF THE BRUCES; this really only covers the C14th, and other books are available - I just think it gives good details in an interesting way.

There are also lots of Scottish heritage/history sites on the web - but beware, many are of "mythical" Scottish history and don't tell the real story...

Lots of manufacturers make medieval Scots - Feudal Castings do a vast range, which I am told is very good (I asked for a catalogue but they never sent it, so I can't say myself...); Essex, Minifigs and Gladiator all have nice feudal ranges, and Tabletop have medievals and C16th Scots.

Battle Scenarios

Here are links to scenarios for famous Scots Common battles:

About the Author

Dan Mersey has a degree in Archaeology and is a Contributing Editor to The Castles of Wales website. Any feedback or questions can be sent directly to: danielmersey@yahoo.com.

Gamer Feedback

Tim Donovan on Scots Common Tactics vs. Historical Opponents -- Scots Common can be a little tricky to use against historical opponents. If fighting the English or Scots Isles & Highlanders the the warband option can be effective to QK the opposing blades or spear. If you deploy second and can fend off or Pin the Knights victory is possible but deploy second and things can be over quickly.

Against the Welsh, if the campaign takes you that far!, try mostly single rank Pike with only a few double ranked so you get a decent frontage and then use the Knight, protected by the bow unit, to gobble up Ax.

Against the Irish or Anglo Irish the Wb are a trickier and riskier option as they can Qk the two opposing blades but the Ax and Mounted of both armies are a threat to both the WB or the Ps option. Once again pin and press with the pikes and try to get QK's with the Knight flanked by the lone bow element (handy to chase away pesky light horse)while trying to hold the rough with the Ps.

I have both won and lost with or against them in historical match-ups, with many an opponent succumbing to a long alternate depth line of pike while a striking force of Kn, Bw and Wb punched a hole or rolled rolled up a flank.

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Last Updated: May 12, 2000

My thanks to Dan Mersey. Comments, questions or suggested additions to this page can be sent to Chris Brantley, brant@erols.com.