Arendish Heavy Cavalry

The Pride of Arendia

One Hundred Thundering
The Earth Shakes
The Broken Remain
Englefed Honingsway, Poet

Composition

Manpower

An individual Company of Knights typically numbers between 30-70 members, though a few rare, prestigious Companies may field around 100 members in dire circumstances. Each Knight in a company typically has two retainers, a stableboy and a squire. A further 10 make up the command staff of a Company, usually comprising of veterans too old to fight effectively. Beyond these outlines, command structures, unit sizes and support staff can vary between companies.

Equipment

Each Knight within a company must be able to maintain themselves, any retainers they require, at least one horse capable of battle, a full suit of armour and suitable armaments. If a Knight in a company finds their funds restricting, they may "sell" their armour or horse to the company, so that they might still use it when required, but not need to maintain it themself. This however is commonly seen as slovenly behaviour, and so is looked down upon.
Beyond the individual, a Company must maintain a Chapter House, usually in Arend itself, though some Companies station themselves in other cities, or in a couple of cases, in another country. A chapter house usually houses a Smith capable of maintaining company equipment, a few secretaries who maintain tax information and logistics, a cook and several grooms. Larger Companies might also house a doctor on site as well.
Each Company also maintains their Active Roster, detailing their members and combat readiness. A fighting member of an Active Company is not taxed for their lands and income whilst Arend is at war, providing a substantial incentive to join more Active Companies.

Weaponry

Arendish Heavy Companies are almost uniformly equipped with long lances. These however have a tendacy to break mid charge, so Knights arm themselves with other weapons, most commonly swords though maces, axes, hammers and flails are not unusual sights. Traditionally the warhorses are also armed with a barbed front plate that can cut bloody lacerations into even well armoured infantry.

Tactics

Arendish Heavy Companies are used as heavy shock cavalry. They form a large wedge and charge into the enemy formation at designated weakpoints, such as command units, and attempt to pierce through the enemy formation. In particularly large battles, Heavy Companies flank at angles to cut off portions of the enemy force, to be circled and decimated.
These shock charges, though very effective, are very tiring. Knights often need to trot back around the battle to their own supply lines, rearm with new lances, and often new warhorses before the line up for another charge.

Type

Cavalry

Assumed Veterancy

Experienced