"White hoods of Ghent" Topic

In looking at the Low Countries in the Middle Ages, DBA includes an element of White Hoods as an option in the army list.

The element is listed as a horde (HD) – poorly trained or organized troops. Normally this brings to mind a peasant rabble with scythes and pitchforks or other improvised weaponry.

However the guilds in the cities of the Low Countries at this time were fielding well trained and equipped militia units armed with pike, crossbow, and close quarter weaponry.

The White Hoods were composed of citizens of Ghent and while a political grouping rather than a formally trained and equipped militia, one would think that they might well be better equipped than the usual rabble. Although still in a more random fashion than their guild compatriots.

Has anyone here looked into the history of the period and found any hard information on them?

Strictly, the Hd classification is about behaviour, not weaponry. The only source for the White Hoods I know of is Froissart, who describes them engaging in murder and looting rather than warfare.

See link illustration of fol. 16v.

Thanks – had seen Froissart, but only a general description of the history.

So from the caption and the illustration it looks like a random weaponry, but more than pitchforks and scythes. Also that the attire is that of townsmen (as to be expected).

And yes for HD it is the enthusiasm and lack of discipline that define them.