Sub-Roman Britain (Cavalry etc)

[Agraes]

Even if Magnus Maximus is not likely the father of every post-roman dynasty, the fact he is heads of several king lists is significant in itself. Nothing new in assuming he may have settled several of those dynasties in western Britain. Demetia/Dyfed beeing the best exemples: Irishmen of vassal tribes (call them Deisi or Attecotti), eventually pushed out of Ireland, found a good job there, protecting the shores of the Demetae against other Gaels. Other, before, with Maximus or after him, were recruited in the roman army to form the several Attecotti units we know.

Back to the topic, has the refurnishing of hillforts beeing mentionned yet? There is an interesting comparison with gallic cavalry. Gauls based their forces on oppidda and on a famed cavalry. They could react quite quickly from those power centers. In 5-6th century Britain we have a lot of hillforts beeing fortified. All could not have held a strong armed force, but a few may have. South Cadbury is an obvious exemple, as the largest excavated hillfort of the era, with his excellent situation on the eastern border of the Durotriges. The partial excavations have failed to show much military related artefacts (after the roman conquest at least), saved for an arrowhead/bolt head and an axehammer, and of course the walls themselves. Maybe a future digging campaign will bring more light on this.