I always get rushed

[Phallus Erectus]

Every time I'm on foot, enemies just run into me and swing for half my health. I backpedal to gain some swing room, but they keep running right into me and aren't affected by the short swing distance. When I swing at them from being so close, my sword just bops them lightly and the attack recoils. How to fight?

 

[tyrannicide]

One way would be to avoid being targeted in the first place. Make sure you're not the closest to the enemy at the beginning (keep behind your troops).

 

[Spiros]

Be more aggressive, aggression is everything.

 

[Hughes]

Use a shorter weapon (short sword, dagger, etc.) to get swings in close.

 

[Indra]

When you fight infantry, you backpedal for range.
Horses move faster than you, so if you backpedal they just crowd up closer and it gives them more opportunities to hit you.
Against horses you move FORWARD, so they only get one swing at you.
Then when they come around again you hit them as they approach, not when they are all crowded around you.
Different enemies, different strategies.

 

[original]

Try to run away and also defend, and press F1->F2 to ask your troops to go to you.

 

[Aethelred]

Don't fight alone against big groups of enemies and expect to survive, unless you have brilliant armour and they have no good weapons. This isn't Dynasty Warriors. Stay with your troops, or those of any allies and try not to get outnumbered. Mostly I pick off enemies who're engaging my soldiers. Also, one handed swords mostly aren't very good against armoured enemies, so your attacks will often do virtually no damage to them without a good speed bonus. You're better off with something that does more damage, or a blunt/piercing weapon.

 

[Ilevus]

It's best to avoid fighting parties that are larger than you. Especially if you're just by yourself.

However, if you absolutely MUST fight a large group, there is a good strategy I use, particularily early-game, is to ride a fast moving horse with some kind of ranged weapon (crossbow is the easiest to master, but you can pick any).

Just ride around the foe and shoot all of their ranged units first (or even melee them if they're seperated from the main group). NEVER charge tight formations, just shoot'em.

Once all the ranged units are dead, the melee units should be easy pickings with your ranged weapon.