Sartarite Tribal Forces

About 1/100 of the forces of the tribe are senior thanes who act like officers of the fyrd.

About 1/4 of the forces of a tribe are warriors in the sense that they are reasonably skilled in combat and have some combat magic. This includes weaponthanes.

About 1/8 of the forces are thanes or warriors who have metal armour, a sword, 2 light spears and a large round wood and leather shield. They make up the front rank of the battleline. Weaponthanes fall into this category.

About 3/4 of the forces of most tribes form the main battleline. All of these are equipped with 2 light spears, a large wood and leather shield and a sidearm such as a hatchet, scrammasax or club. Some have helmets and a few leather armour.

About 1/4 of the forces of most tribes are skirmishers whose equipment varies from 2 light spears and a target shield down to a few stones tied to sticks. They are usually younger or poorer than the line infantry.

Weaponthanes and other thanes often ride to the location of a battle but dismount to fight. Actual cavalry are rare and only the Dundealos and Pol-Joni have a significant number. Amongst the Dundealos the warriors are mounted. Amongst the Pol-Joni half of all forces are mounted warriors with the rest of the militia are poor quality skirmishers who are rarely called out. These cavalry are lancers equipped with light lance and shield. A few also wear metal armour.