Battle of the Talabec

Background
The Battle of the Talabec was the opening salvo in the conflict known as the Imperial Civil War. In the year 1359 IC, the Elector Count of Stirland was elected Emperor. However, Ottilia, Elector Countess of Talabecland, accused Stirland publicly of bribery, and declared herself Empress with the support of the Ar-Ulric and some states in the eastern and southeastern Empire.

Following Ottilia's declaration, preparations were made for war. Ottilia chose to wait and let Stirland make the first move, remaining in the impregnable fortress-city of Talabheim. Meanwhile, Stirland's allies were putting him under increasing pressure to crush Ottilia outright. He bowed to these wishes in the spring of 1360, and personally led his army into Talabecland.

When word of the Stirlander incursion reached the court in Talabheim, they made ready to march out and meet their enemy in the field of battle. Although it would seem logical for Ottilia's army to remain in Talabheim, where they could never be defeated, she chose to march out and face the enemy- for what kind of Empress remains in their castle while an enemy marched unopposed through the territory she claims to rule?

Commanders

 * The Elector Count of Stirland

Troops

 * Infantry: The Stirland army's infantry consisted mainly of levied militiamen from Stirland, Ostermark, and Averland.
 * 8,000 Spearmen
 * 4,000 Swordsmen
 * 2,000 missile troops, including several hundred Crossbowmen
 * Cavalry: Because at this time, provinces tended not to have large and well-trained standing armies of infantrymen, battles were more commonly decided by cavalry.
 * 100 Knights of Sigmar's Blood
 * 1,000 members of miscellaneous Knightly Orders
 * Artillery: Blackpowder artillery was unknown in the Empire at the time of the Battle of the Talabec. However, the army of Stirland did include several Catapaults

Commanders

 * Elector Countess Ottilia of Talabecland
 * Marshall Lord Helmut Weisser

Troops

 * Infantry: Talabeclands infantry was also composed mainly of levied Free Companies. It also contained a large contingent of mercenaries. Some Flagellants also joined Ottilia's army. Because of their varying uniforms, every man in the army wore a red and yellow ribbon on his left arm to provide unity.
 * 4,000 Spearmen and Pikemen, including many mercenary companies from the Border Princes
 * 1,500 Swordsmen
 * 1,000 Bowmen
 * 3,000 horsemen
 * Freelance Knights
 * Knights of the White Wolf
 * Bodyguard of the High Priest of Ulric
 * Templars of Taal
 * 100 Knights of the Black Rose

Source

 * The Empire at War
 * pg. 8
 * pg. 9
 * pg. 10
 * pg. 12

[[Category:B]] [[Category:T]]