FRISIA AFLAME: THE FALL OF HENRY THE FAT (1100–1101)

I've been working on a campaign using Lion Rampant set during Henry the Fat's attempt to conquer Frisia in 1100.  However I've had a rethink — Blood & Crowns is actually a stronger fit than Lion Rampant for what I wanted, as long as I can dial the period back and lean into retinues, banners, and political leadership rather than later medieval weaponry.

I've done a reinterpretation for the Frisia 1100 AD project using Blood & Crowns as the engine, but re-skinned for the early 12th century rather than the mid 1300s.  This would work well for earlier 11th Century games too.

I’ll explain:

1. What changes when using Blood & Crowns
2. What an 1100 AD Frisia army looks like in B&C terms
3. Faction lists (Henry, Holland, Frisians, Vikings)
4. Campaign & scenario feel
5. What to ban or reskin from the 14th century rules

No rules text is reproduced — this is a compatibility guide, not a rewrite.

My working copy of the map

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1. WHY BLOOD & CROWNS WORKS FOR 1100 AD

Blood & Crowns already models:

• Retinues around lords and sub-commanders
• Banners as morale anchors
• Command friction
• Limited missile dominance
• Battles decided by leadership collapse, not annihilation

All of that fits 1100 AD Frisia and by extension the later dark ages very well.

What changes:

• Fewer professional infantry
• Less armour overall
• Cavalry still powerful, but not yet shock-charge dominant
• Many troops are free men, not feudal levies

This is post-Hastings, pre-crusade Europe.

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2. CORE ADAPTATIONS (SYSTEM-LEVEL)

A. PERIOD ADJUSTMENTS (GLOBAL)

Apply these to all factions:

• No handgunners, artillery, pavises
• Crossbows are rare and expensive
• Most infantry count as Medium rather than Heavy
• Mounted men-at-arms are fewer, but elite

B. ARMOUR ASSUMPTIONS

• Heavy armour = mail shirt + helmet
• Shields are ubiquitous
• Very few fully armoured foot knights

C. MISSILE TROOPS

• Archers are common but shorter ranged
• Javelins and throwing spears are widespread
• Crossbows: mostly mercenary or ecclesiastical

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3. FACTIONS IN BLOOD & CROWNS TERMS (1100 AD)

⚔️ HENRY THE FAT, MARGRAVE OF FRISIA

Imperial Enforcement Host

Army Character:
Small elite core, poor local support, brittle morale if leaders fall.

Typical Retinue

Henry’s Banner

• Mounted Knights/Milites (Men at Arms, Henry + household)
• Foot Men-at-Arms  (dismounted Milites)
• Sergeant Spearmen (Saxon retainers)

Sub-Commander Retinue

• Mounted Sergeants
• Spear Militia (pressed locals)

Optional Support

• Crossbowmen (Imperial or Italian mercenaries)
• Archer Levy

Army Traits (Narrative Use):

• +1 to command rolls while Henry lives
• If Henry is killed or routed → immediate army morale test

Battle Style:
Advance methodically, secure crossings, punish resistance.

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🏰 FLORIS II OF HOLLAND

Emerging Feudal County

Army Character:
More flexible, more infantry, politically cautious.

Typical Retinue

Floris’ Banner

• Mounted Milites
• Foot Men-at-Arms (dismounted Milites)
• Sergeant Spearmen

Town Retinue

• Archer Militia
• Spear Militia

Optional

• Light Cavalry (scouts, messengers)
• Crossbowmen (coastal towns)

Army Traits:

• Can reroll one failed command per game
• Gains bonuses in defensive or urban scenarios

Battle Style:
Combined arms, careful positioning, avoids risky charges.

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🌾 FRISIAN FREE CONFEDERATIONS

The Anti-Feudal Host

Army Character:
Large infantry forces, excellent morale at home, weak cavalry.

Typical Retinues

Chieftain’s Banner

• Fierce Foot (axes, spears)
• Shieldwall Spearmen

Clan Retinues

• Spear Militia
• Javelin Skirmishers
• Archers

Rare

• Light Cavalry (wealthy farmers)

Army Traits:

• Infantry gain bonuses in marsh, dikes, villages
• Never suffer morale penalties for lacking knights
• Gain bonus if fighting a “feudal lord” banner

Battle Style:
Defensive depth, ambushes, grinding attrition.

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⚓ VIKING ADVENTURERS (1100 AD)

Late Norse Sea-Raiders

Army Character:
Small, elite, aggressive, unreliable.

Typical Retinue

Sea-King’s Banner

• Heavy Infantry (huscarls)
• Fierce Foot (berserks)

Raider Retinue

• Archer Skirmishers
• Light Infantry

Optional

• Mounted Sergeants (very rare; mercenary horsemen)

Army Traits:

• First turn aggression bonus
• Suffer command penalties if leader is wounded

Battle Style:
Fast strikes, brutal melee, disengage early.

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4. WHAT A GAME LOOKS LIKE ON THE TABLE

Battlefield Themes

• Dikes, causeways, tidal flats
• Scattered farmsteads
• Small churches or toll stations
• Rivers matter more than hills

Victory Conditions

Rarely “kill them all”:

• Hold a crossing
• Kill or capture a banner leader
• Escort tax carts
• Burn settlements and withdraw

Typical Engagement Size

• 2–4 banners per side
• 1 main lord + 1–2 sub-commanders
• Games feel political and personal

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5. CAMPAIGN IN BLOOD & CROWNS TERMS

My map campaign plugs in perfectly:

• Each territory = one banner slot next battle
• Losing a banner = territory unrest
• Killing Henry = immediate strategic collapse
• Holland benefits from survival, not domination
• Frisians win by endurance

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6. WHAT TO REMOVE FROM 14TH CENTURY RULES

Remove / Rare

• Polearms beyond spears
• Plate armour
• Large disciplined pike blocks
• Gunpowder

Reskin

• “Foot Men-at-Arms” = mail-armoured retainers
• “Sergeants” = free men with spear & shield
• “Light Infantry” = javelin men, hunters

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7. FINAL VERDICT

Blood & Crowns for 1100 AD feels like:

A brittle imperial expedition, a cautious rising county, an angry free people, and opportunistic sea-wolves — all fighting over dikes, tolls, and pride.

It will play:

• Slower than Lion Rampant
• More political
• More narrative
• More tragic (perfect for Henry the Fat)