New player questions on stats

[vexrion]

First off, during the trial my hero was part of my army on a horse with a lance and he could attack

once i hit Greenwort I no longer have the hero in my army it appears, what changed is this an option.

About stats. i just bought a helmet that gives my hero +1 defense. How does this figure in? Does it add to my army stats or just to my hero? And if he isnt in my army what good are these stats anyway.

THanks