Sub-Roman Britain (Cavalry etc)

[Matthew Amt]

*shrugs* It was worth a shot, but I do have a topic which will eventually link back to the cavalry. Sub-Roman British infantry. How Roman were they? How Celtic were they? What tactics did they use? What weapons and armour? And how did they work in conjunction with Sub-Roman British cavalry. There, I daresay that'll bring us full circle. Once we've figured out all this stuff about infantry, we can move onto tactics of Sub-Roman British armies; which would be easier with a knowledge of both the cavalry and the infantry. So if you wouldn't mind this is sort of my plan for the topic if nothing goes wrong or we don't make interesting turns, which considering the history of this thread we probably will.

A quick search for "infantry" in topic titles in this subsection turned up these two threads:

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Not surprisingly, we just don't know much! It seems safe to assume (wait for it!) shields, spears, javelins, some helmets and swords, and probably mail or scale armor for the top dogs. Axes and knives to supplement as needed. Oh, I'd guess some bows, too.

Tactics? Line up and hurt the other guys. Cavalry might be on the flank, or in front, or in back if they need to regroup behind the infantry screen. Or moving away at high speed if they've decided to flee and leave the PBI as a rearguard... (Like photographing wild bears: You don't have to be able to outrun the bear, you only have to be able to outrun your assistant!)

With so little known for certain, except for the basic fundamentals of ancient combat, I really doubt we're going to be able to "figure out" much.

Sure you don't want to just revive one of the old threads, rather than drag this one out interminably?

Matthew