Kingdom of Charlemagne (Age of Charlemagne) Spear Infantry

Mounted Spearmen

Like other former barbarian kingdoms, the Franks inherited much of the Roman Empire's military and societal structure, not just its territory. Once again, cavalry was an aristocratic division as only wealthy landowners could afford horses and therefore provide cavalry during times of war. Elite cavalry, by extension, was drawn only from the most highly-skilled among them. They, more than any other, could afford not only the horse, but the mail and plate armour required; 'brunia' body armour was the single most expensive piece of military equipment of the age, costing more than the horse itself. Some took this to excess, adorning their armour with jewels and other finery, but Charlemagne was known to have criticised his noblemen for such ostentatious displays. In battle, Carolingian cavalry favoured a mass charge of spears to break the enemy quickly. This worked particularly well on favourable, flat terrain but led to problems on less-than-ideal topography. In fact, cavalry was still considered inferior until long after the Battle of Tours when, due to a failure in mobilisation, Charles Martel won the battle without any heavy horse at all. Standard Frankish horsemen were lightly armoured (wearing little more than padded cloth), carried spears and shields, and were best-suited for bringing home a cavalry charge and then, once involved in the fray, remaining to press the attack.

Unit Name Mounted Spearmen

Main Unit Key cha_fra_mounted_spear

Land Unit Key cha_fra_mounted_spear

Naval Unit Key cha_transport

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Spear Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 650

Recruitment Cost 650

Upkeep Cost 195

Melee Attack 30

Melee Damage 32

├ Melee Weapon att_spear

├ Melee Base Damage 24

├ Armour-piercing Damage 8

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Attack Against Cavalry 20

├ Attack Against Elephants 20

└ Attack Against Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 29

Melee Defence 57

├ Base Defence 32

├ Shield cha_round

└ Shield Defence 25

Armour 53

├ Armour cha_mail_long

├ Armour Defence 53

└ Shield Armour 0

Health 100

├ Man Entity cha_infantry_heavy

├ Man Health 100

└ Bonus Hit Points 0

Morale 47

Abilities

• Spear Wall
  The unit moves into close wall formation.

Attributes

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

Strengths & Weaknesses

No Strengths and Weaknesses

Recuitment Requirement
Required Technology Cost 120 Upgrade From

Garrison Buildings
x 1	Barracks (cha_bld_barracks_2) Level 1 Royal Barracks (cha_bld_barracks_3) Level 2

Faction Availability
Age of Charlemagne	Kingdom of Carloman (Age of Charlemagne) Kingdom of Charlemagne (Age of Charlemagne) Frankish Rebels (Age of Charlemagne) Frankish Separatists (Age of Charlemagne) Austrasian Separatists (Age of Charlemagne)