just curious as to why there is an option to add German Knights in the Early Russian army list? are these supposed to represent mercenaries? I can't seem to find a battle in history when the Early Russians used German knights in their army,please correct me if I'm wrong.I currently have a Teutonic army and Alexander Nevski's Russian army and I'd like to add a unit of German knights for an extra punch if its historically possible

Thanks

32 views and no one has an answer?

Hello Richard,

I can't help much on this one, but just checked the WRG army lists
(used for Dbm) and the Early Russians get some German Knights as
well.
There's no comment on why they are allowed , so i can't help
more than that i'm affraid.... FWiW, they are labelled German
Knights (classed either Inferior or Fast) not Sup as woould
probably be Teutonic, but who knows....

Thanks, probably some mercenary types or perhaps some pagan knights fighting against the Teuton Crusaders, I've been looking thru the "Battle of Lake Peipus" book by Osprey and didn't see a mention of German Knights fighting for the Russians. The book also mentions that only a fraction of the German forces where Teutonic Knights the bulk of the army led by Bishop Hermann Buxhoeved was Danish Knights and Estonian tribal units, not the overwhelming Teutonic units like was shown in the film "Alexander Nevski"

The German knights fighting in the Russian armies were hanseatic merchants defending their warehouses in Russian territories, especially in Nowgorod. The best way to be protect your expensive Russian furs is helping the prince that is giving you permission to commerce in his territory.

I hope it helps.

Thanks for the info,when I paint up the unit banner it will be a picture of Zsa Zsa Gabor wearing a fur coat..

BTW here is what I found about the Hanseatic League and the Teutonic Order, if anyone cares

http://www.troynovant.com/Franson-JM/Essays/Hanseatic-Teutonic.html