French Ordonnance Archer c. 1513

[Stuart]

Here's my best effort at the composition and appearence of the French ordonnance archer c. 1513.

By no means this is right but it's my best shot and thanks to contribution by Arlequin - a long time ago Jim but no less appreciated !

I think I also remember drawing some of these conclusions with Olicana a while ago, anyway there's even an attempt at sculpting;

http://www.stuartsworkbench.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/ordonnance-archers-wip-part-1.html

Sorry if this still leaves you puzzled, there aren't many manufacturers out there that give these much thought, I think I now know why !

All the best

Stuart

PS don't get me started on the use of older harness 

[commissarmoody]

Pretty good read.

[Phil Robinson]

Interesting read and rather nifty conversion work too.

[Arthur]

And they look fairly convincing to me :

[olicana]

Nice work and research. I think it is safe to say that anything will pass the grade on lance organisation because it's all up in the air.

Personally, I'm still rather unsure how to class numbers in lances. I'm currently going for a lance as three fighting cavalry. I'm counting two of them as wearing full harness (or close to, one probably in cheap munition stuff) in the same unit. I'm counting the other one as either a lighter lancer or crossbowman in a separate unit. I'm not at all convinced about the other three as fighting types - as far as I'm concerned one (or two) of them would be looking after the 'lance's' baggage in camp, the other one (or two) might be in the rear somewhere ready to bring up spare horses as required and be, in effect, non-combatant.

Your assumption about Argoulets is an interesting one and one that I'm rather fond of, as is the thought of them, if bow armed, being sent off to join the other mass of foot [cross]bowmen: "Off you go with that captain lad, see you back here when it's over, shoot straight, good luck" (or should that be "bon chance".)

All the Best,

James

[Stuart]

I do think it comes down to a campaign level almost; Fornovo, dragoons, Ravenna, dismounted, Genoa, dismounted ( both sieges, curious) and Marignano, thrown into the melee on horseback with lance.

Does it say more about doctrine or generalship? Versatile soldiers nonetheless but it makes our lives hard !

[Malatesta]

Thank you for your research and (as to be expected) your excellent work on the miniatures. Inspirational.

[Metternich]

Once again Stuart, thank you for the scholarly research.  Your Ordonnance Archers are very well done.