Notable Point · 14:49-16:44

Otto de Grandson's professional advance guard

Otto de Grandson's force of 560 men illustrates the role of hired archers, close-combat weapons and experience in Edward I's advance guard.

Archery Castles Conquest Of Wales Edward I Harlech Castle Medieval History Naval Strategy Otto De Grandson Professional Soldiers

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Notes

During Edward I's campaign begun in 1282, Otto de Grandson led an advance party of about 560 troops that took the Harlech site. Although listed as infantry, the men are interpreted here as mainly hired yeoman archers. They probably fought chiefly with bows, while also carrying long knives, axes and other weapons for close combat. Horses may have been present. Their pay, experience and concern for protecting their homes offered practical reasons for fighting in an advance guard.

Source

Video: The Ring of Iron(Nee Stone): Harlech Castle - Long Patrol P12/14
Date: 9 Jul 2021
Time: 14:49-16:44
Kind: Notable Point

Transcript passages

14:49-15:28The campaign begins in 1282 in the account, and the garbled commander name precedes the figure of 560 troops. The identification as Otto de Grandson is supported by the archival study at https://www.e-periodica.ch/cntmng?pid=gen-001%3A1963%3A11%3A%3A603, which places the Harlech detachment in April 1283. The public note does not date the capture itself to 1282 or reconstruct the indistinct march route.
15:28-16:44The force is interpreted as mostly professional yeoman archers, with possible horses and knives, axes and other weapons for close combat. Professional experience and concern for having a home to return to are part of the explanation.