The game is afoot lads - Knights v Longbow in one of history's great contests |
Those who have been following the blog in the last few weeks have seen that the focus has very much been on preparing figures for a Hundred Years War battle using To the Strongest rules. It would be the first time we had played a game in the medieval period as well as the first time my old mates Paul's English would have been re-based and on the table against their old adversary, my Museum Miniatures French.
The plan had been to use Guidos 15mm custom battle mat with 10cm squares for the battle however a dose of the dreaded lurgy had him laid low on the very morning of the battle. At some point the game was cancelled, despite my whirling dervish like activities of re-basing over the weekend.
Then a thought.
I asked my son Ben, mid-year uni break well in hand, to send me some photos of my mat surface at home.
Not a great shot but you get the picture of what an IPhone can do in the hands of a disinterested student |
Then a few favours called in at work and "Hey Presto" a quick gridded 4 foot by 3 foot mat on bond paper for tonight. Disposable, cheap and a god-end for some keen wargamers.
Not ideal however it will be fine as a one off tonight - just don't rest a pint of beer on it! |
Now that a field was set - to the game.
It was decided that as I had all the figures would put together both lists. The English would be 200 points and the French 205 because...well...I was playing the French and I wanted that unit of French Bowmen on the table. Stop asking questions as I will not feel guilt...well past that. Anyway...
The two English commands on the right flank and centre |
Central command and partial left flank |
The Irish and the Billmen made up the extreme left flank |
Looking down the table to give an overview of the terrain and general layout |
A slightly blurry image of some of Paul's lovely painting |
The English baggage flowing with ill-gotten gold, spare ammunition and sheep! |
A close up of the Irish lights and the billmen |
French right flank with dismounted knights, crossbowmen with pavise and archers |
Jeff commanded the extreme French left with aplomb. Knights, Voulgiers and Bidets. |
The requirement for the French would be to gain as many early maneuver activation's as possible and close with the long bowmen before they could mow us down with arrows as historically was the case so often.
Deployed archers but the stakes remain un-deployed |
Spread out units provide some opportunity |
Jeff's knights advance with great purpose - really need to fix some of that chipped paint. |
In the centre the Dauphin leads the lads forward with spearmen and Genoese crossbow to the fore |
Keep those lance chits handy lads. |
The French activation's early were not too bad. Quickly closing to range of the English whose early fire was ineffectual.
Ineffectual archers...just in case you were wondering what they looked like |
Stakes deployed here - and they would prove vital to this unit |
Dismounted French knights advance as fast as their plate armour will allow |
Voulgiers and French Crossbow painted over 28 years ago. Better eyes in those days. |
Clash on the French left goes well for Jeff and the knights |
Generally this is ill-advised, however the archers were shooting abysmally and we were not about to sit back and allow them to find their range |
Cross bow and longbow exchange greeting cards at range |
The early stages of the battle went the French way however the death of the Dauphin and a unit of knights in the centre followed by a loss of knights in Jeff's command tilted the table decidedly to the English very quickly.
Action in the centre as the English correctly using stakes kill the Dauphin and prepare to destroy the knights of his Household Guard |
The attack continues across the left and centre |
All about to end in tears for the King |
Both Steve and Martin look intently to their right... |
...hoping that this flank charge can do the trick...however drawing 1's and 2's to hit is proving frustrating for them. |
Slightly blurry but the French can be seen rushing forth on their right flank |
Though not really visible here each dismounted Knight has a matching mounted figure in the same livery |
Remember those French archers that took me to 205 points? Doing sweet stuff all over here on the right |
Have I mentioned how tough English archers behind stakes are? |
Action intensifies on the French left as mighty enthusiastic peasant mobs launch a surprise attack against their long term oppressors. |
Bidet light infantry and Voulgiers assault the English foot |
Having destroyed the long bow the knights turnaround and the Voulgiers look for new targets as the archers to their front have also been dispatched. |
The French Knights are still hanging on and need to turn soon |
The advance continues on the right |
The French Knights have finally turned and the peasants are about to be run down from the rear as history requires! |
Looking poorly for the English almost everywhere |
French spearmen positioning for the coup de grace. |
The final photo taken as the French win the day |
What a great night of gaming. It was very different using 15mm figures as opposed to our normal 28mm games. However it was wonderful to have figures on the table that I hold such fond memories of. The only thing missing was having "Youngy" on the other side of the battlefield exchanging witty quips. I might need to get him back to the club for another run with his old lads very soon.
Great looking game Carlos. Spewing I couldn't make it but I'm pretty sure you didn't want me there coughing up lungfuls of phlegm.
ReplyDeleteA great win to the French. Ahh 15mm they were the days. Great to see the old figures out once again.
Cheers Peter - you were greatly missed but your bacteria wasn't :^) Looking forward to getting them out again soon mate when you are back on deck.
DeleteCarlo, this was quick work getting these troops from rehab box to battle. Super looking game that is a joy to see. Well done!
ReplyDeleteIts funny Jonathon but I always act better, quicker and with more efficiency to a game time deadline. My procrastination gets put to one side and i push on regardless. It was a great fun game and really enjoyable with some excellent gaming companions.
DeleteWell worth all that time painting heraldry, your knights look fabulous! More flags would be easy and look good? Great sounding game , underhand tactics and all!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you so much Iain. Yes I fully intend to get a few flags for both French and English organized as soon as I can get my full flag order together across a number of projects. That will make them look even more colorful. Underhanded tactics...we were French you know ;^)
DeleteThe look super, Carlo! It's great to see old lead returning to the battlefield.
ReplyDeleteI feel I was a little harsh on the English longbow, or perhaps a little too kind to the French knight. This might well be addressed in a future version. :-)
Thank you Simon. What changes for the English longbow to you possibly have in mind mate?
DeleteHi Carlo, the plan is to increase their effectiveness at close range, and reduce it at long. I plan to do that with most shooting, in fact. Also later knights, on foot, will become slightly more vulnerable. Best, Simon
DeleteSounds interesting Simon. Look forward to seeing how they work on the table.
DeleteIt's easy to forget sometimes that this is, at its core, a social activity. Nothing wrong with a little nostalgia ;)
ReplyDeleteCheers FMB and you are 100% correct on the social fun aspect of it. Its why I still play tabletop games and not battles on computers and electronic devices.
DeleteWonderful battle, Carlo!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sergey
DeleteGetting that mat set up is a lesson in ingenuity and determination. The game must go on.
ReplyDeleteI agree with above, nice looking troops and time from box to table was very quick. 😀
Thank you very much Stew - I always work best under pressure mate.
DeleteGreat looking game indeed! I have a small handful of HYW figures; something to build on for the future.
ReplyDeletePainting the troops I need for the next battle drives a LOT of my painting, too!
The deadline can be the only thing that really gets by butt into gear sometimes Peter that is ost certain. Its a wonderfully colorful period and I am looking forward to mounting a few more colors and standards in the coming month.
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