"A knight's place is in the saddle! Why must I practise fighting on foot like a peasant? I do not plan on trudging through the mud to war like a commoner."
"A knight does not always have the luxury of choosing the circumstances he fights in. What happens if your horse is slain beneath you?"
"I'll get a new horse!"
"What if the battle takes place upon a muddy mire, and your lord orders you to fight on foot?"
"Then my lord would be a damned fool for choosing such a ridiculous battlefield!"
Gunthar stared at the young man with cold, humourless, grey eyes. His moustache twitched in irritation..."
A dismounted knight of Bretonnia, ready to fight as an elite infantryman.
Foot Knights are Bretonnian nobles and knights who, in exceptional circumstances, choose to fight alongside the peasantry as elite heavy infantry.
Role[]
"Half a dozen knights, all vassals of Calard’s father, had nobly volunteered to fight on foot and lead the peasant rabble. They knew that holding the line against the enemy was of paramount importance. If the line broke, and the beasts were allowed to despoil the sacred shrine, then the good name of their lord would be sullied, for it was Garamont’s responsibility to see it protected. With their line bolstered by the presence of the stern knights, Calard was more confident that the men-at-arms would hold."
- —Calard of Garamont's noble allies take to the field as Foot Knights.[1]
A Bretonnian Foot Knight
On the battlefield, there is one thing more than the presence of the yeoman that makes Men-at-Arms swell with pride and push their fear deep within, and that is when the noble Knights of the Realm are standing alongside them. It is an honour, and they cannot fail in their duty, for it would be a fate worse than death to quake in fear in front of such brave warriors. Surely, as long as the regal knights stand against their foes, they will hold.[1]
For their part, Bretonnian nobles often despise the thought of fighting on foot, preferring to ride into battle on horseback whenever possible. However, there are times when such an approach becomes unavoidable, particularly during siege warfare. Thus, when a great castle comes under attack, it is not uncommon to find Foot Knights manning the walls, bellowing orders and maintaining discipline amongst the peasantry. Indeed, generations of enforced servitude ensure that their commands are responded to without question.[1]
Out of all the dukedoms in Bretonnia, Montfort is perhaps the most notable for fielding Foot Knights. The Grey Mountains that cover the dukedom severely limit mounted combatants, and Duke Folcard accepts no limits in his pursuit of the Greenskins that infest his lands...[2]
Miniatures[]
.jpeg "Foot knights (Great Weapons).jpeg (120 KB)")
Sources[]
- 1: Knights of Bretonnia (Omnibus Novel) by Anthony Reynolds
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Knights of the Grail (RPG)
- 3: Citadel Journal 31
- 3a: pg. 84
Gallery[]
