The Wars of Religion

Catholics

For most ofthe period also the royal side, so inherited most of the existing army. Their cavalry centred on the gendarmerie using their old tactics, though with unarmoured horses, supplemented by German reiters (heavy cavalry with pistols using 'caracole' tactics based on firepower), and similar French pistoliersand mounted arquebusiers, now referred to as ‘carabins’. They had the legions (except Languedoc, which mostly deserted to the Huguenots) and the much better ‘Vielles Bandes’ of mercenaries; from these were developing the regimental organisation which gave France her first permanent regular infantry units; by the later wars being of ten to 12 companies, and around 1,000 strong, but still often grouped on the battlefield in large 'battalions' of upto 5,000. They also had the Swiss, hired Lansknechts in large numbers, and were lent Spanish infantry. Their armies, especially the cavalry raised by nobles, were very showily dressed, with plumes, gilt armour, velvet and gold embroidered mandelions and so on.

Huguenots

For cavalry were dependent upon the 'squirearchy' of the Protestant areas, who produced a brave and Ironside-like horse, distinguished by the long-sleeved white casaques they wore over their armour in old fashioned style (their opponents nicknamed them 'Millers'). They were mostly half-armoured, and armed with sword and pistols, and though originally formed ‘en haye’ were taught under Henry of Navarre to form in squadrons six or seven ranks deep, charging homewiththesword andusingtheir pistolsin the ensuing mel4e, highly-effective tactics. Again reiters were hired, some of them adopting the new tactics, and most lighter cavalry were arquebus-armed.

Huguenot infantry, especially at the outset, were somewhat improvised, and even when their discipline improved, almost totally lacked pikes, being at first all arquebusiers, by the end of the wars nearly all musketeers. By 1587 they were taught to fire regular volleys, two ranks at a time, the front kneeling. They also had regimental organisation, but seem to have often operated in smaller tactical groups, sometimes interspersed with cavalry. They were supplemented by smallish numbers of Lansknechts, some not-very-effective English and Scots, and at the end of the wars by the Royal Swiss.