Inspired by yet another good article in the Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy; this week's game is a medieval battle from the Thirteenth century. The article detailed a 'what may have happened' scenario with a young Prince Edward (later Edward 1st)(Ian), rushing towards Kenilworth Castle to try and capture it back from the Rebel Barons led by a Simon de Montfort the Younger, (played by Nigel and myself). In the scenario Simon de Montfort the younger, hearing of the approach of Prince Edward, marches out his troops to meet him in battle.
One of the main changes we made was to use our later Medieval/Hundred Years War figures and I had to swap the stats around as the original author used the Lion Rampant rules whereas we would be using Hail Caesar. However, it looked like a fun game with the deployment of troops spread out along the road.
I placed card markers where players could then take turns to place the troops written on the underside of the card. Here Nigel has deployed the Rebel infantry.
The Rebel cavalry division is now deployed ahead of the infantry as per the scenario.
Disaster struck the Rebels in turn 1 as Nigel threw a blunder and was forced to withdraw two moves, taking all of the Rebel Infantry off the table.
Ian, commanding as Prince Edward deploys some of his troops.
The Rebels deployed with the magazine scenario at the back.
(we had left the withdrawing Infantry on the table edge).
Simon de Montfort the Younger rides toward the enemy, despairing at the misfortunes of his infantry division.
Prince Edward (Ian) advances to meet his foe.
In the background the Royalist extra unit of knights arrive.
Simon de Montfort the Younger was feeling rather outnumbered. Nigel suggested charging the enemy crossbowmen with a unit of sergeants who, in a spectacular charge managed to break both units of crossbow.
The unit of skirmish longbow in the woods (bottom left) had chased off the Rebel light cavalry and now turned towards the rest of the enemy cavalry.
Turn 5 and Nigel gets the Rebel Infantry division moving at last.
Here are the Rebel sergeants about to crash into the Royalist crossbow.
An almighty cavalry clash took place in the centre, Prince Edward was wounded and the Rebels seem to be gaining the upperhand.
Royalist Infantry rush to help but Prince Edwards division was broken as was the Rebel Cavalry division led by Simon de Montfort. Nigel had managed to get one of his longbow units into range and with the rest of the Rebel infantry marching up Ian conceded the game and Prince Edward withdrew his remaining troops from the board.
Brilliant fun but we felt a bit sorry for Nigel whose game was spoiled by a poor 'orders' throw in turn 1. Thus is fate.
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