> Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 02:28:11 -0800 (PST)
> From: guy jobbins <nuanarpoq_at_yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: Training the fyrd
- -..
> how many heortling clans have a fyrd that can stand in
> a shield wall? any, some, most? i'd guess that if
> your clan fyrd doesn't fight in a wall then training
> is a moot point - people show up, run at the enemy and
> jump up and down on them in a melee of one on one
> combats.
>
> if, on the other hand, your clan fyrd fights in a
> shield wall then they are going to have to be trained.
- -.. if you want them to be good at forming a shield wall.
At the start of the Battle of Maldon (991 AD), Earl Bryhtnoth (sp?)
instructs his army in how to form a shield wall, and gives a pep
talk.
Considering the outcome of the battle, he might as well not have
bothered.
Considering that the Earl's army probably vastly outnumbered the
vikings, all his army had to do was hold the line while its flanks
enveloped the vikings. It failed to do so, which suggests the quality
of a fyrd is low. The Earl's housecarls heroically fight on to the
death, of course.
- -..
> i can't remember what the general opinion on the
> frequency of shield walls in orlanthi society is. in
> one game i ran years back the players went on a
> 'quest', joined a humakti subcult which taught the
> secret of shield wall fighting, established it in the
> clan, trained the fyrd, and consequently whupped their
> pesky raiding neighbours next time they came over the
> hill. instant kudos.
This is an excellent way of handling it.