Historical Overview Section

The Scots of this era are most famous for the introduction of the schiltron (also spelled sheltron, sceld-trome, schiltrom, or shiltron), a compact body of troops forming a battle array, shield wall phalanx. The term is most often associated with Scottish pike formations during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.

The term dates from at least 1000 AD and derives from Old English roots expressing the idea of a "shield-troop". Some researchers have also posited this etymological relation may show the schiltron is directly descended from the Anglo-Saxon shield wall, and still others give evidence "schiltron" is a name derived from a Viking circular formation (generally no fewer than a thousand fighters) in extremely close formation, intended to present an enemy's cavalry charge with an "infinite" obstacle (that is, a perimeter horses refuse to breach). Matters are confused by use of this term in Middle English to clearly refer to a body of soldiers without reference to formation, including cavalry and archers. The first mention of the schiltron as a specific formation of spearmen appears to be at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. There is, however, no reason to believe this is the first time such a formation was used and it may have had a long previous history in Scotland, as the Picts used to employ spears in block formation as the backbone of their armies.

The offensive use of the schiltron is a tactical development credited to Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn. He had drilled his troops in the offensive use of the pike (requiring great discipline) and he was able to fight the English forces on flat, firm ground suitable for their large force of cavalry. Bruce's new tactic was a response to a crushing defeat for the Scots at Falkirk when the first recorded use of the schiltron by a Scottish army failed in the face of a combination of conscripted Welsh longbowmen, English archers and English cavalry.

Detailed descriptions of the formation are rare but those given by English chroniclers of Bannockburn demonstrate the essential features:

  • "They had axes at their sides and lances in their hands. They advanced like a thick-set hedge and such a phalanx could not easily be broken."
  • "They were all on foot; picked men they were, enthusiastic, armed with keen axes, and other weapons, and with their shields closely locked in front of them, they formed an impenetrable phalanx ..."

Using the army in ADLG

  • Lots of spears, but generally the Inferior pike are better.
  • Max out the Light Foot to give your men protection from shooting, as a few hits can rapidly erode the advantage of Mediocre pikemen or spearmen in combat.
  • Armoured Spearmen are tough as old boots and may not even need a screen of skirmishers

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Army Lists

Sample army lists for this army
200 Points
Sighian Dubh 2023
1 LF Bow
2 Bowmen
1 H Spear Armour
5 H Spear Mediocre
Ordinary General
5 Obstacles
==
2 LF Bow
2 Levy
2 Bowmen
1 H Spear Armour
2 H Spear
5 H Spear Mediocre
Strategist
3 Obstacles
==
Flank March !
5 Mediocre Spear
1 Bowman
1 LF Bow
1 Armoured Spear Included Ordinary General


Britcon 2022 (V4)
Brilliant
1 Nobles Heavy spearmen armour ------
4 Spearmen Heavy spearmen ------
2 Spearmen Heavy spearmen Mediocre
2 Light infantry Light infantry bow ------
==
Ordinary
1 Nobles Heavy spearmen armour ------
4 Spearmen Heavy spearmen ------
2 Spearmen Heavy spearmen Mediocre
1 Bowmen Bowmen Mediocre
1 Light infantry Light infantry bow ----
==
Ordinary
1 Nobles Heavy spearmen armour ------
4 Spearmen Heavy spearmen ------
2 Spearmen Heavy spearmen Mediocre
1 Bowmen Bowmen Mediocre
1 Light infantry Light infantry bow ----