Black Band at Bicocca
I am considering running the Battle of Bicocca (1522) at Historicon in Lancaster, PA in July 2020 as part of the Wargaming Association of Metropolitan Philadelphia. In looking through my troops and trying to work out which I was missing, I noticed that, in addition to needing more Swiss (I always seem to need more Swiss) I would need to paint some Black Bands of Giovanni figures.
At Bicocca there were around 3,300 men from the Black Bands according to some of the references that I have. I have found very little in the way of the composition of this group at the battle, so that gives me some latitude on how to represent them.
Composition of the Black Band
At a scale of 50:1, I would need around 70 figures. From the book “The Black Bands of Giovanni” by Maurizio Arfaioli, the ratio of pike to arquebusiers in the foot troops in 1527-1528 can be found. This book gives a figure of between 55-75% arquebusiers and the rest pike men or men with “arms corte”. Although the information in the book is for a period five years later, this ratio is a very good starting place for the infantry.
For the cavalry, I plan to have a couple of units of mounted shot as these seem to be part of the black band. Mr Arfaioli also discussed the presence of light horse called alla borgognona (Burgundian) lancer. He goes on to describe these units as more medium type cavalry with a lance, corselet and burgonet. The SteelFist archers seem perfect for these troops.
So the final composition that I am looking to paint for my Black Band is:
- 24 pike and men with pole arms.
- 32 arquebusiers
- 16 mounted shot
- 8 medium cavalry with lance, corselet and burgonet
Total 80 figures – slightly more than the 70 that I was originally looking for, but still around the right number. I also think that the mix gives a really balanced force for one of the players to command. I will also need a command stand.
Painting the Black Band
The first units that I have painted (completed over Christmas) are the mounted shot armed with a mixture of crossbow and arquebuses. I used figures from The Assault Group for these units; I stayed away from the firing poses as I remain to be persuaded as to whether these units fired from the saddle or dismounted. The flags are the rather splendid devil flags from Pete’s Flags.
On the colors of the unit, I wanted to make them a little different from the brightly colored troops in my armies. However, I did not want them in all black as some sort of parody of the Black Band. What I settled for was a theme of dark grey and dark burgundy colors with leather and cloth garments mixed in. The horse furniture I kept very simple with leather colors. I was very pleased with how they turned out, with the black devil flags with gold trim, I think that they make a very obvious unit on the table without being too bright. They look a mean bunch.
The foot troops from The Assault Group should arrive later this month, so I should be able to paint up the rest of the Black Band by the end of February. In the meantime, back to painting Swiss!
All the sketches I have seen from the period showed the mounted crossbow/arquebus firing as they charged in with the lancers, essentially using them the same as either lances, or like the Spanish Jenettes, as javelins. All the first hand accounts from the period about firing from the saddle started with “I think”, or “I thought”; essentially thought experiments. They are more usuful as one shot weapons in raids. Even the later period’s pistol Caracals firing from the saddle, were really only effective at melee range.
I am writing an expansion for Italian Wars (Chipco’s Days of Knights), and our rules reflect them a one shot charge in weapon (like javelins), that require a rally test before melee. Although dragoons were not officially part of the French army until after the Italian Wars ended, I believe you are correct, considering the number of arquebuses in the main army, I believe they were used this way. Since the Black Bands fought for the French during the last part of their existence, this was possibly a result of the French using it more later. Curtis, Chipco2@aol.com
Curtis, some great comments.
The one thing that I love about the Italian Wars is that not everything is known. I could certainly see the mounted shot being used in battle in the way that you suggest. A step towards the development of the dragoons such as were seen in 17th Century Poland is an interesting idea.
There is also a lot to suggest that the mounted shot were used as light cavalry to skirmish, raid and harass the enemy and that the big fixed battles were only a small part of how they were employed.
In these light cavalry roles I could see them firing from the saddle to retain mobility, or dismounting and firing as the situation demanded.
Only using mounted shot in non-firing poses allows me to take either side of any argument.
I am deep into the final edit of the rules, they will be given out free to anybody who bought Days of Knights ($10US) on July 17th 2021. I just happened today to email Pete if he has any information of the Devils part. I am confused about the ratio of pike to arquebus you mentioned. Reading the description of Bicocca, the black bands were given the task of clearing out the skirmishers, and clearing the way for the main two Swiss columns, hardly a task for pike. As De ‘Medici rose in stature, I think he had other mercenary units under him, possibly pike. He also favored the Stratiote for cavalry. The role of cavalry was changing and Medium Cavalry was to rise to the top. The Italian Wars marked the end of the heavily armored Knight, Heavy Cavalry, and light Cavalry that (for the Europeans anyway) were not very good at all, and was mostly used for mounted archers. (reflected in Days of Knights). So we modeled Medium Cavalry as 1) for the Eastern cavalry during the holy land crusades as firing bows plus lances, 2) Italian Wars medium cavalry (mounted lancers and arquebuses) as working the same way as the Spanish Jinette javelins, causing a rally roll to the enemy they charge (or as dragoons), and 3) the Stratiote doubling the advantage of flank and rear attacks and added movement. All have the same stats besides that. I think I prefer to model the Devils as arquebus (as they were also extensively trained in melee, and were better than other missile units in melee, and could hold their own when fighting Men at Arms), with the Stratiote to cover flank attacks, and the mounted arquebus to act as dragoons for the missile troops or as lancers in a pinch.