Adalhard's hard day

My new "Pillage," mat arrived, rather small but what I was after for the level of game I'm looking for here.  I also wanted to print this to evaluate it's use for terrain pieces I can get printed and then cut out from the fleece.  It's looking great for that!

50 cm by 70cm.  Small but it cost a fiver so let's give it a go.

These "Later Frankish" warbands represent rival noble factions vying for control over strategic coastal territory, shipping rights, and allegiance from local freemen — all the while defending their lands from Viking and Saxon and Norman raiders, and each other.

Count Adalhard, on his old fashioned and slow horse armoured dray!

The Locals 

Warband 1: The Retinue of Count Adalhard of Hastlingen

Warband 2.  The Warband of Hrothgar of Dokkum

Warband 3: The Host of Eilrad the Fat of Westergo

⚔️ Warband 1: The Retinue of Count Adalhard of Hatlingen

Background: Once a loyal nobleman under Charlemagne, Adalhard now defends the Frisian frontier against pagan raiders and rebellious lords.

Count Adalhard Mounted Elite Spear, Sword, Shield 8 pts

2 Frankish Retainers Mounted Spear, Shield 6 pts each. Clovis Big Head, Little Pepin

Lothair

Foot Soldiers (7):

Nurbald

Carloman

Arnulf

Charles

 

Pepin, but not that one.

2 Autun Levy Archers Foot, Ranged Bow 4 pts each, Arnulf, Charles

3 Town Militia Spearmen Foot, Spear Spear, Shield 4 pts each. Lothair, Nurbald, Carloman

2 Rural Freemen Foot, Spear (no shield) 3 pts each Louis, Grimald

Total Points: 56 pts

Faction: Franks

Total gp: 350

Max Cost: 600

----------------------
• Chieftain (1 × 65 = 65)
   - Armour (5)
   - Shield (5)
   - Hand Weapon (10)
   - Horse (25)
• Warrior (2 × 50 = 100)
   - Armour (5)
   - Shield (5)
   - Spear (5)
   - Horse (25)
• Warrior (3 × 20 = 60)
   - Unarmoured (0)
   - Shield (5)
   - Spear (5)
• Warrior (2 × 20 = 40)
   - Unarmoured (0)
   - Sling (10)
• Warrior (1 × 35 = 35)
   - Unarmoured (0)
   - Bow (25)
• Warrior (2 × 25 = 50)
   - Unarmoured (0)
   - Shield (5)
   - Hand Weapon (10)

⚔️ Warband 2: The Warband of Hrothgar of Dokkum

Hrothgar and his retainers move in to defend the village.

Background: Hrothgar, a Frisian noble with distant Frankish ancestry, claims rule over the old missionary lands near Dokkum. A staunch Christian and shrewd war leader, he seeks to restore order — under his rule.

Unit Name Type Equipment Points

Hrothgar of Dokkum Mounted Elite Spear, Sword, Shield, Mail 8 pts

2 x Mounted Household Retainers Spear, Shield, Light Armor 6 pts ea, Gundobal and Audoin —“old friend

2 Hearth-Warriors Foot, Spear Spear, Shield, Light Armor 5 pts ea Sigebert and Merovar

3 Village Archers from Dokkum Foot, Ranged Bow 4 pts ea Theuderic Fat Childeric and Dagobart 

2 Bondi Spearmen Foot, Spear Spear, Shield 4 pts ea Little Lothar, Ansegisel

Total: 56 pts

⚔️ Warband 3: The Host of Eilrad the Fat of Westergo

Background: Eilrad, a fiercely independent Frisian warlord, opposes any return to Frankish-style rule. Pagan-leaning and proud, he commands fierce loyalty from the coastal clans of Westergo.

Unit Name Type Equipment Points

Eilrad the Red,Mounted Elite, Axe, Shield, Mail 8 pts

Ansegisel — the veteran

Gundobad — battle-hardened

Theuderic — skilled horseman 

Foot Soldiers (7):

Bernard — trusted veteran 

Audoin — loyal 

2 Coastal Riders, Mounted Spear, Shield, Light Armor 6 pts ea Ansegisel — the veteran, Gundobad — battle-hardened

2 Slingers of the Salt Marsh Foot, Ranged Sling 4 pts ea. Ansegisel, Merovech — 

3 Clan Spearmen of Westergo Foot, Spear Spear, Shield 4 pts ea Dagobert — strong, Childeric Lothar ,Experienced

2 Shield Brothers of the Fen Foot, Spear Spear, Shield, Light Armor 5 pts ea Bernard — trusted veteran, Audoin — loyal 

Total: 56 pts

Additional Notes:

Names are based on Frisian/Frankish naming conventions from the 9th century.

Setting: This setup places these warbands on the northwestern coastal frontier, where local lords now fight for power in the absence of strong imperial oversight.

Cultural flavor: Both Adalard and Hrothgar lean toward the Carolingian model (Christian, semi-centralized), while Eilrad represents more traditional Frisian independence and lingering pagan customs.

Missile choice: Adalard and Hrothgar’s archers reflect growing Frankish military influence, while Eilrad's slingers are more traditional for local marshland clans.

Father Liudger, named "the Bishop in Waiting" attempts to dissuade the raiders.

And the Priest gets thumped and taken hostage.

Adalhard gets stuck in.

And Adalhards Mounted guys are mighty, well their dice are!

Adalhard on his Goth armoured horse cuts through the Franks.

As the Infantry fight over a field wall.

The enemy break, it's a win for the Count.

Nice those Goth Cavalry.

Notes

Fractured Authority: After Charlemagne’s death (814 AD), central control weakened. Marches (frontier districts) became militarized and autonomous 

Paul Budde History

Dark Ages History

Frisian Resistance and Collapse: Frisia was repeatedly in revolt—Redbad, Poppo, later suppression—showing both independent Frisian power and Frankish conquest 

Dark Ages History

Cavalry Tradition: Frisians and Franks maintained mounted warbands; Frisians were noted horse breeders, and cavalry tactics (ambush, feigned retreat) were integral 

Frisia-coast-trail!