The Barnes Method
A quick note on my method (for full article, see Exiles website)
Units are organised into Battles under a commander
Commanders fight with Battles
I have three Arthurian battles mapped out, the beginning, Consolidation, the Last.
Using 3 units of 4 (below presumes 8-10) plus commanders per battle, I can do a
decent re-enactment with 80 that looks and feels right.
Units by sub-dividing groups into same size units combatants we gain several advantages:
Flexibility
Control
No re-enactor is going to be swamped by numbers; each can pick an opponent and have good
combats
The look is right, giving a "scale representation"
Types
I want to encourage you to behave more like the troops you portray, by following a few
simple UNIT rules:
Knights or Men at Arms: ½ fully armoured ½ partially armoured in
2 ranks
Main job stay in a line, stay put or advance and kill whilst taking other Knight's
prisoner
Reaction don't run away or give ground.
Archers: 1 or 2 skirmishers/arrow collectors, rest in extended line with
stakes or pavises
Main job stay put and shoot along a corridor or diagonal
Reaction run away from same number, attack ½ or less, taking Knight's prisoner is a
bonus.
Spear or Bill: 2 ranks tightly packed, with armour to the front
Main job stay in a line, stay put or advance and kill, taking Knight's prisoner is a bonus
Reaction give ground or form circle with losses run away when ½ gone.
Warband: an undisciplined mob, with the best/most armoured in the centre
Main job attack anyone, attempt to capture knights
Reaction if you fail to break enemy, or if you take prisoner, or if you take 2-3
casualties, fall back & regroup.