Yeah, fair enough. I think I gave the impression of more distance than I meant; of course if the other army presses hard enough, they're going to come after the knights and nobles when they break through, but said knights and nobles wouldn't intentionally go into the thick of it until a very specific point.
However, that gives me an idea, since you (logically so) point out that the distance was probably based on title - maybe give basic knights in the game a small strength boost that they lose with a lordship or other position? Some semblance of stepping in or out of the actual fighting. It's not really a balancing bonus between lords and knights, but at least it gives the knights a little more something if they can't become lords.
EDIT: And maybe a new player helper as well, if you make the loss of the bonus permanent upon gaining a position.
