England's Allies and Mercenaries in 1513

 

Here we are at last. The Valois French are complete. Likewise, the host of the King of Scots. Now we turn to the English. Or nearly so.

First let us see the  Allies/ Mercenaries. Those being the Burgundians and the Irish and various bits of the Emperor’s Army. The Emperor’s men were genuine allies. The Burgundians and Irish had to be contracted and paid. Top of the page and below Burgundians.

The Burgundian Gendarmes above.

A Burgundian Lance. We see the front rank of Gendarmes and the second supporting rank of mounted crossbow men. This was the favoured Burgundian formation. Note the smaller horses in the second rank.

Burgundian mounted Crossbows who could deploy separately.

 Imperial or Burgundian skirmishing shot.

The splendid Burgundian flags are from Pete's Flags.

Cardinal Wolsey wanted to hire 1000 Irish cavalry for the 1513 Campaign. Wolsey looked after the important stuff for Henry. Diplomacy, Finance, Legislation that sort of thing. Doubtless he was a sharp lad. 

The horsemen he was looking for came from Ireland’s Warrior Clans. A 1000 of them wouldn’t leave many left in Ireland. Let me explain. An Irish Warrior Clan was an agnatic Mercenary Company. It owned no land and made its living by hiring out for wages and grazing in Ireland’s regular small wars.

Had Wolsey succeeded in hiring them he would have gained some excellent light cavalry and have removed a significant military group from Ireland. Smart work. 

In the event it seems he failed. Probably over money. In another negotiation Wolsey haggled about the number of servants each Kern expected  to take to France.

Some Kern did go to France so a deal was done. Here are some above and below.

Wolsey might have got some Irish Cavalry.  They are not, as far as I know, attested in the record. 

All the same, if you want to use some think Stradiots as far as capability goes. "The finest Scourrers on Christian ground." as the man said about them. I wouldn't go with more than one unit of Irish cavalry in 1513 France.

One though, adds to the fun.

Before we go, have a gander at the pic' above.  It is Henry King of England in 1513. Gold armour is hard to miss. I wonder if he wore it in the field? My version will.

Next time in 1513 we will see the English cavalry. Pete's Flags above with Essex Miniatures.