Equipment

Jonathan M Davidson

Contents of document: General | Equipment used by troops by type | Description of Equipment

1.0 General

It the Thardic Republic it is the soldier, not the Republic, who owns their equipment, which includes armour and weapons. Consequently the inheritance of quality armour and weapons by the landholding class is of great value, almost as much as the land itself.

The republic lists the minimum level (type and quality) of equipment that it expects each troop type to have. A summary of the basic arms and armour used by the different troop types is available as a table [html].

For the regular troops the specification is quite exact and if the soldier's equipment is not up to standard he will be given a replacement by the legion. However, the cost of the equipment will be deducted from the soldier's pay. The republic encourages all their reserve troops to try to match the equipment level of the regular troops, but a lower standard is permitted. Again if the reserve soldier fails to equipped to the required standard they will be provided with adequate equipment and the cost will be deducted from their allowance. The equipment provided to a soldier will be charged at the rate of 1/36^th of the cost of the equipment per tenday in service, which for a reserve equates to a four-year repayment period. Troops called up to serve through compulsory military service are given four years to repay the republic for any equipment they are supplied with.

The soldier is responsible for the maintenance of the equipment and for replacing damaged or lost items. Every year the Tribertes in command conducts a inspection of his troops’ equipment. The republic replaces defective or missing equipment. The soldier is given a year to pay off this incurred debt.

Where the value of the debt payment (for equipment supplied) exceeds the soldier’s pay they are expected to pay the excess to their Cohort's sexton the difference out of private funds. Falling behind with payments by more than nine tendays is a serious offence, even leading to capital punishment in some cases. The soldier is expected to use this time to make good the money by creative graft, or to try and obtain a sponsor or patron.

The equipment used by the various troops is quite variable, but a few distinguishing features mark a Republican Soldier from other fighters in Harn.

All soldiers are freely issued with a hooded cloak and knee-high boots, which lace up the front each year (the standard witticism is that they only thing given for free in the army, other than death). These two items are made too a standard military pattern and are easily recognised as such.

The colour of the cloak, and where applicable the saddle cloth, varies with the troop type. Outside the Red Guard, Milites Auxiliari and Compari have black cloaks trimmed with a broad band of blue and all other Milites have a black cloak trimmed with a broad strip of scarlet. The Red Guard have black cloaks trimmed with a narrow band of purple, excepting the Cohort Augusta which has a narrow band of silver within a broad purple band. Officers wear more brightly cloaks. Mani wear black cloaks trimmed with narrow band of blue within a broad band of scarlet; Mani Primus and Sextons wear black cloaks trimmed with a narrow band of silver within a broad band of scarlet. Tribertes wear a scarlet cloak trimmed with a broad band of purple. Whereas a Tribertes Primus's cloak is scarlet cloak trimmed trimmed with a narrow band of gold within a broad stripe of purple. Mani Legati wear a similar cloak to the Tribertes Primus except that the base colour is black. Legati wear white cloaks with a broad band of purple embroidered with gold.

In the Thardic Republic it is a capital offence to wear a cloak that mimics these designs if you are not entitled to wear such a cloak. These small colour distinctions are carried in to other items that the troops carry such as the colours of their saddle cloth and the colour of their helmet plumes (these are described below). These colour codes may seem insignificant but the distinctions are greatly prized by the wearers. They also serve to identify the rank of a person in the heat of a battle.

Secondly, Milites may wear a white feather in their cap or helm, which no ordinary citizen may do, and the higher ranks may wear red or purple plumes, which again is limited to the army. Lastly, all soldiers, regardless of rank, carry their carry their shields when on duty. Each Cohort with in a legion carries a shield that displays the arms of the Legion. However, only the Legati and the Mani Legati carries the unadorned arms. The common soldiers and officers carry the shield of their Cohort. The Cohort's arms is virtually identical to the legion's arms except that each cohort differentiated their shield by the use of a single charge that is placed above the legion's charge (in the honour point). One Cohort might use a stag lodged argent, whilst another might have a centaur rampant gules.

2.0 Equipment used by troop types

Generally speaking anything that is used by the troops of the Thardic Republic must be supplied by the troops. The army has very strict standards of what forms of equipment may be used: this covers all aspects such as the exact length for a shortsword, or the weight (in terms of ounces per square foot) of chainmail. The overall intent is to encourage the troops to buy their equipment from the legion so by standardising the equipment used throughout the army. If a soldier fails to provide an item of equipment to the standard that the army requires, he will be provided with a standard item and will be charged for it against his wages.

2.1 Regular Milites Linari / Fabrica / Primus

These are the heavy infantry of the Republican army and proud of it. In battle they fight in formation with their interlocking shield and their armour making them virtually impenetrable (this strategy of fighting in a long line gives them their name, Linari). In terms of equipment the Milites Linari and Milites Fabrica are identical, whilst the Milites Primus are similar but have slight differences reflecting their rank.

The Milites fight using a range of weapons, for close quarters work they are equipped with a shortsword and dagger, which are worn of a broad leather belt, decorated with bronze plaques. The foot Milites employ two special tactics that reflect on their weapons. When they are closed on by enemy infantry they unleash a volley of light javelins which are designed as much to hamper the opponents use of their shield (which are useless once a javelin is embedded in it) as to cause casualties: All Milites Linari/Fabrica carry two javelins. The second tactic, evolved from facing attacks from heavily armed knights, is to form up five rows deep (each column being a Tenaci) and for the back row of their formation to set a pike against the charge. Consequently the Milites Linari are armed with a javelin, whilst the Milites Primus carries a pike in battle (the Milites Primus traditionally lead from the rear rank, where they can stop their troops from breaking and hear the commands of the Tribertes). When on normal patrol in a peaceful area, the Milites will be carrying neither javelin or pike, these weapons are reserved for combat use.

For defence the Milites rely on chainmail and tower shield. They are armoured with a mail byrnie worn over a quilted tunic, whilst their heads are protected with a plate half helm which is decorated by a single white feather. The legions of Tharda are famed for the use of tower shields they they interlock to make an unbroke defense against enemy missile weapons and attack. As mentioned above they are decorated with their cohort's emblem. Since these Milites are the main line troops used by the Republic, it is obviously why the neighbouring feudal militia fear them so, and call them invincible. The Milites Primus are similarly armoured to the Milites Linari. They differing only by wearing a bronzed roundel (10" / 25 cm in diameter) on the chest and back to distinguish their rank.

In addition to their obvious war equipment Milites Linari are required to carry a full pack including, a wicker bucket for earth moving, a combination pick and spade, a sickle, a mess tin, water scoop and cutlery, a bed roll and cloak, five days rations and two days of water in a skin. In addition a stake, used to make the perimeter fence of the marching camps (or anti-cavalry stakes in use on the field of combat), is carried, the soldier’s kit being suspended from it over his shoulder. The Milites Primus carried the same equipment as his troops.

2.2 Reserve Milites Linari / Primus

The reserve Milites are required to use the same basic equipment, weapons and shields as the regulars but their armour requirements are lower. Instead of a chainmail byrnie the reserve Milites of the must have at least a studded leather tunic (the studs are decorative rather than protective so the armour is no better than ordinary leather). Tunics and byrnies of better armour are allowed, even encouraged - a fair proportion of the reserves have ringmail or chainmail byrnies which have been handed down through the generations and adapted to the fitting of the latest wearer. In the reserves the Miltes Primus' roundel is replaced by a lozenge (10"/ 25cm across).

2.3 Milites Auxiliari and Compartes

The Compari were originally derived from local tribes with a mix of weapons and fighting styles. The Milites Auxiliari and the Compartes are equipped identically and fight together. Though they are much more standardised, differences between units still exist. Officially every cohort has one Compari of archers and one of skirmishers. However not all units are equipped equally.

Most of the Compari of archers use longbow, but some use the short hunting bow. Whatever the weapon they all carry a quiver of twenty-four arrows. Again most of these units wear a soft leather tunic with a leather cap, however some wear ringmail instead. Some individuals gave equipped themselves with Kurbul or plate half-helms, or wear leather or quilted leggings. To defend themselves at close quarters they carry a buckler (normally strapped to their back) and a dagger.

The skirmishers are the most irregular of the Auxiliari neither fighting in close order nor choosing to go into close combat with troops in formation. Their combat equipment reflects this. Each Compari specialises in one missile weapon and one close quarters weapon. The Compari are armed with three light javelins or a sling and forty-eight lead shot, and either a shortsword or a hatchet. Most auxiliaries also carry a knife. Armour varies between Compari too. All auxiliaries carry a round shield and wear at least a leather cap (but some individuals wear half-helms instead); however in terms of body armour different Compari have varying levels of protection. A few wear no armour at all, the majority wear a leather tunic and some wear nothing more than a quilted tunic. The Compari are trained to retreat from danger, rather than use armour to defend against it.

The Milites Auxiliari and Compartes do not carry the same sort of engineering equipment as the Milites Linari, their compulsory pack equipment being limited to: a mess tin, water scoop and cutlery, a bed roll and cloak, five days rations and two days of water in a skin. The Compartes’s rank are is indicated by fact that their helmets are decorated by a large red feather ruff (the Milites Auxiliari have a single white feather), and by wearing a bronzed roundel (10" / 25 cm in diameter) on the chest and back.

2.4 Milites Tala Sagitorium

The Milties Tala Sagitorium are light horse archers whose primary role is to harass the enemy from afar, to turn the flank of opposing infantry, or to pursue fleeing troops. Hence mobility and the use of missile weapons are paramount. The Milites Tala Sagitorium's primary weapon is a short hunting bow, for which they carry twenty-four arrows in a quiver. As secondary weapon they carry a broadsword and dagger, but there use in close combat is discouraged. Typically Milites Tala Sagitorium are armoured with a leather tunic, though some aspire to ringmail, worn over a quilted tunic and leggings, or occasionally leather leggings. Leather caps are the most common head gear, though some wear half-helms. They carry a buckler which is securely strapped to their backs, so securely that the normally won't use it due to the amount of time it takes to ready.

In addition to their personal offensive and defensive equipment, a Milites Tala is required to provide a war-horse, saddle and tack. They are also required to carry a full pack, similar to that of the Milites Linari, namely: a wicker bucket for earth moving, a combination pick and spade, a sickle, a mess tin, water scoop and cutlery, a bed roll and cloak, five days rations and two days of water in a skin

The Sexton will be equipped the same as the troops that he commands excepting that they will normally have the best of armour options. Also unlike the Milites Tala's plain saddle cloth, his will be black cloaks trimmed with a narrow band of silver within a broad band of scarlet. They are distinguished by the fact that they wear a large red feather ruff in the helmets, where as the Milites Tala have a single white feather, and the fact that they wear a bronze lozenge (10" / 25 cm in diameter) on their chest and back.

2.5 Milites Tala Gravitas

The Milites Tala Gravitas are heavy cavalry, often mistaken as "knights" by the neighbouring feudal kingdoms. Originally the Milites Tala Gravitas where equipped with Javelins which the hurled at there opponents before charging home, the influence of their neighbours means that they are now all equipped with heavy lances and only a single light javelin is carried. Their secondary weapon is the broadsword, supplemented by a dagger. The Milites Tala require more armour than the Milites Linari, since their legs are exposed to direct attacks from their foes, and their smaller kite shields protect their body and arms to a lesser extent than the tower shields. They wear scalemail hauberk (split to the waist) over a quilted gambeson, leather leggings and guantlets, plate greaves and plate three-quarters helm.

The Milites Tala Gravitas must carry the same equipment as the Milites Tala Sagitorium.

The Sexton will be equipped the same as the troops that he commands. Many Sexton's have the scales of their armour lacquered or plated; laquered black with diagonal patterns of silver plates being particularly common. Also unlike the Milites Tala's plain saddle cloth, his will be black cloaks trimmed with a narrow band of silver within a broad band of scarlet. They are also distinguished by the fact that they wear a large red feather ruff in the helmets, where as the Milites Tala have a single white feather, and the fact that they wear a bronze roundel (10" / 25 cm in diameter) on their chest and back.

2.6 Mani, Mani Primus and Mani Legati

The Mani are often mistaken as "men-at-arms" by the neighbouring feudal kingdoms. They can fight on foot or mounted (and rarely they may leave their cohorts to form up as a separate wing of cavalry). They are armed with a broadsword (and with a heavy lance in battle) and carry a round shield. Mani and Mani Primus wear a chainmail hauberk (split to the waist) over a quilted gambeson, leather leggings and guantlets, and plate half helm. Mani Legati wear thes same armour excepting that they wear a scalemail hauberk where the scales are all silvered, there helmet is a three-quarters helm and they wear plate greaves.

They are not required to carry any equipment other than their personal equipment, with the exception that the Manis Primus carries the Cohort's standard when the unit is on the march or into battle, affixed to his lance.

The Manus Primuis' and Manus Legati's equipment is slightly more innate, than the Mani's but it is mainly the colour of their gear which differentiates them. The Mani wear a large red feather ruff in the helmets, whereas the Mani Primus and Mani Legati have purple feathers. The colour of their saddle cloths also differentiate them, being a reflection of their cloak colours. Mani having black cloths trimmed with narrow band of blue within a broad band of scarlet, Mani Primus having theirs trimmed with narrow band of silver within a broad band of scarlet, whereas Mani Legati have saddlecloths trimmed with a narrow band of gold within a broad stripe of purple. A further differentiation is that though all three ranks where a roundel (10" / 25 cm in diameter) on their chest and back, those of a simple Manus are bronze, whilst a Manus Primus' are silvered and a Mani Legati's are gold plated.

2.7 Tribertes Linari, Tribertes Primus and Legati

The Tribertes have the most ornamental dress, that of the Legati (Provincial Marshall) just echo theirs. Their principle weapon is the broadsword, supplemented by a dagger and their staff of office. They wear plate cuirass (breastplate and backplate which extends down over the thorax) over a quilted gambeson, leather leggings and guantlets, plate greaves, vambraces and plate three-quarters helm. Frequently their plate armour is decorated with silver and gold plating and with embossed scenes and emblems. This kind of armour is seen as a heirloom of great value, often encompassing a fair share of the household wealth. Only the senate families can afford to decorate a Tribertes Primus or Legati to the fullest extent, and then the armour is so valuable it becomes purely ceremonial.

All Tribertes carry a ceremonial staff of office, which is about 1/2" (13 mm) in diameter and three feet (90 cm) long made from hardwood. The staff is tipped at either end with a silver-gilt head. They also carry a silvered hunting horn that can be used to transmit their orders in the heat of battle.

The main way that these ranks can be differentiated is with the colours of their cloaks and saddlecloths. Tribertes wear a cloak and use a saddlecloth of scarlet trimmed with a broad band of purple. Tribertes Primus use scarlet trimmed with a narrow band of gold within a broad stripe of purple. A Legati's cloth and cloak are white with a broad band of purple embroidered with gold.

2.8 The Red Guard

The arms and equipment used by the Red Guard is very similar to that used by the provincial legions. However the armour tends to be more ceremonial and decorated. The second to sixth cohorts armour consists of a tunic of scalemail, where the scales have been hollowed out at the back and plated with a blood red alloy of copper. This armour is largely ceremonial and isn’t as strong as regular scalemail, but it is still more protective than leather alone (treat as ringmail). The regular troops and the Milites Tala within the Cohort August wear byrnies of proper scalemail, which are silver plated for rankers, and gold plated for officers. The reserve infantry (including the auxiliaries) are equipped in chainmail.

3.0 Description of Equipment

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