The bow has been a traditional weapon of the Slavic people for centuries. The tradition of archery goes back to nomadic times and the Bosnians have kept alive through warfare and practice. Because of its terrain, Bosnia became a "spawning" ground for archers. Great mountains, dense forests and good knowledge about the teritory, helped Bosnia and its people to develop a mobile army of archers. An army trained to fight in ambushes and surprise attacks. Wearing little to no armour and traditional Bosnian shields as protection these Bosnian peasants are levied by their lords when the need arises. An arrow from a peasant can kill just as good as a sword blow from a noble so these men should not be underestimated. These bowmen can be used to screen the main Bosnian army and pepper the enemy army with a hail of arrows. In hand to hand combat they resort to crude axes which are more suitable for carpentry than battle. That is why they should be kept far away from the enemy cavalry and engage in melee battle only as a last resort.
Bosnian Archers
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These men are commoners hired by the nobles of the land to provide security for their estates, castles and towns. Since there are no free cities in Bosnia, and hence no city militias, these men are the closest thing to law enforcement and keeping the peace in the land. Since they are commoners that can be found all across the land these men will form the bulk of the Bosnian armies' frontline troops aswell as provide garrisons for its mountainous fortresses. Protected by chainmail, padded armours and wing shields and armed with spears they can hold their own against cavalry charges and hold the line against enemy infantry.
Bosnian Spearmen
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Due to the nature of the Bosnian feudal system the Ban or the King was always threatened by the power of the local nobility. The royal castles and lands run far and wide across Bosnia and the King's absence from them may lure a greedy noblemen or even a foreign neighbour. In order to protect these lands the Bosnian rulers formed a unit of heavy infantry which was stationed in vulnerable areas. These men are fiercly loyal to the Bosnian ruler as long as their are well paid. They wear heavy breastplates and chainmail for protection and are armed with schiavonesca swords. They can easily go into battle against knights or other heavily armoured opponenets but also against masses of unruly peasants or rebels.
Bosnian heavy infantry
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Due to the nature of its terrain the bulk of Bosnia's mounted troops comprised of light cavalry. These cavalrymen formed a mobile army core which knew the land well and proved to be very resilient in the face of superior enemies. Wearing only brigantines or leather armour for protection and a wooden shield, these men sacrifice defence in exchange for greater speed and mobility. They can easily outrun their heavier opponents and armed with cavalry spears, they are perfect for envelopment, flanking and encirclement actions as well as chasing down fleeing enemies.
Bosnian Cavalry
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The Vlastella are the nobles and local magnates of the Bosnian state. They are a privileged social class and many descend from the Slavic tribal nobility that colonised the territory in the dark ages. Noble families such as Kacic, Hrvatinic, Kosacic, Blagajic or Zlatnosevic owned large estates which were administered almost like autonomous principalities which were joined together in a loose federation. They are the flower of the Bosnian nobility and if their power becomes too great they may conspire against the Ban. These nobles can afford to buy the heaviest Western arms and armour and ride in battle proudly. They should be used as shock cavalry to spearhead all out charges. Historically, the charge of the Bosnian Vlastella at the Battle of Bileca in 1388 routed the Ottoman army and tipped the outcome of the battle in favour of the Bosnians. Also, Bosnian Vlastella participated in the Battle of Kosovo in 1389.
Bosnian Vlastela
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Although most of the Bosnian heavy cavalry were part of the Vlastella noble units, a select few made up the Ban's and later the King's personal bodyguard. These heavy horsemen are the elite of the Bosnian army, usually veterans of many past campaigns who are trusted by the Ban or King. Although most of them are great knights and fulfill the role of generals commanding an army, when the Ban or King appeares on the battlefield, they all come to stand behind him. They wear the most expensive armour available to the Bosnian army, directly imported from the great armourers of Dalmatia, Hungary, Italy or Germany and are armed with heavy lances. These men should always be kept in reserve to protect the leaders of the army and only thrown into battle at key points as they have the ability to rally their men and raise the morale all close by troops.
Bosnian Bodyguards