Battle Order pt 2
Attacks were also sometimes made by echelons rather similarly disposed. The first line charges first, then those formations move which are to the right and left of the front line, but form a second line. These units can react to the enemy's manoeuvrings, and either protect the two flanks of the front lines, or else attack at each end of it in order to relieve their own men or outflank the enemy. Thus in attacking with formations in echelon the battle is enlarged along the flanks. They can either check the enemy's encircling tactics, or else outflank him in his turn, instead of supporting the rear of the formation in front.
The crusaders used these tactics several times so that they could fight on a broader front than if the formations of the second and third line were placed immediately behind the first. At the same time, they enjoyed the advantage of having a deep formation, with three lines of troops. Sarmin (14 September 1115), Athareb (28 June 1119) and the battle of Hab discussed above are all good examples of this.
From the chronicle of Henry of Valenciennes we gather that the troops of the emperor Henry I of Constantinople used this sort of battle-order in the battle of Philippopoli. 'Piers de Braiesceul and N. de Mailli were in the advance guard with Geoffrey the Marshal, and they said they would push ahead between him and Milon le Braibant with Guillaume dou Parçoi and Lyenars de Hyelemes behind them, and the emperor would guard the attackers.
This gives us the following battle order, in which we have made the necessary allowance for the arrangement right and left of the forces listed. Villehardouin (Geoffrey the Marshal) might of course have been on the left and Milon le Braibant on the right, and this applies to the other formations too.
…........... …...........
(P. de. Br) (Mailli)
…....... ….......
(Milon) (Villehardouin)
…....... ….......
(Guillaume) (Lienard)
Of course, it is possible that the formations of Villehardouin and Milon le Braibant were originally as far forward as those of Piers de Braiescuel and Nicoles de Mailli. But, in any case, these two units of the advance guard moved off before Milon and Villehardouin charged. During the attack, the position was as shown, and it is a pity that we do not know the positions of the three units of Greek troops who took part in the battle.
