Battle at Neva 1240

I got a questions from Bishop Lord , that are planing a 10mm Medieval Scandinavian army, about reference information. I thougth I shoud share my answer with you all and hopefuly inspire some one more to start up a medieval scandinavian project:) 

 I have had some Idea about making a 15mm Early Medeval Swedish army, using all my vikings, Focus around the Swedish crusade to Balticum in 1240 and the Battle at Neva. The Battle at Neva was fought between the Swedish Crusading force (including Bishop Thomas of Finland) under command of Birger Jarl (might be Birger Jarl? At least in my version) and The Russians under command of the Novgorod Prince Alexander Yaroslavich (to become Alexander Nevsky after this victory. Read more here 

The minis Bishop Lord are planning to use are very nice 10mm minis from TB Lines I think they seems perfect for this as they both have the Western medieval minis to use as Swedes and a Range with Eastern European minis for Novgorodians, could not be better:) I can´t much about the Russians but there is a beta army list of the Early Russians for Impetus… But leave out the German Knights if you play the Battle at Neva... 

About the Swedish army I can tell you a little… By this time the Swedish army was composed of Some Noblemen and their Hird( the only pro soldiers in the army), they was probably mounted i.e knights, I should mix the full armoured knights with a lot of less armoured ones, Probably not more than 2 units, like 1 for Birger Jarl and one for the Bishop Thomas. 

The Infantry was the Swedish Ledunge, freemen that was oblige to serve for the King/Jarl some time every year. They probably still fought in Shieldwall formation and in quite out dated equipment (round shield was still often used) mixed with the latest (if you can get hold of some Viking and Norman minis mix them in), and led by some dismounted noblemen… 

So I would use the ordinary infantry mixed up with some dismounted knights and some peasants and vikings. Alsoe mix in one or two bow/x-bow men in the back of the units. As Finish Auxiliary units I would use the Russian peasant minis and mix in one or two bow armed minis. Lastly I would make some skirmish units…one with Bow and One with X-Bow…most of the missile armed men fought in the back of the Shieldwall. 

There are not many books in English about Sweden in this period but Ospery have 1 that you need? And one that you might need… 

 Osprey - Men At Arms 436 The Scandinavian Baltic Crusades 1100-1500  

Osprey - Men At Arms 396 Medieval Scandinavian Armies (1) 1100-1300  

Both books have the Swedish David Lindholm as authour he are a MA of University of Lund in Sweden where he studied medieval archaeology, history and ethnology. He is also a specialist of medieval weaponry and warfare, and I think he have made a good work with these books. As there are no army list for the Swedish army I have put together one for Impetus based on my opinions and knowledge in the subject… I´m not sure about all the stats, Specialy the Finish units, have to be playtested first...