during the English Civil War a very small campaign raged in a corner of the shattered country:
“He willst doth return and here we shall make our stand. Emplace the artillery and ready the troops!” On this Lord Brooke would decide the fate of the shire
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| the 'large' gun |
The small cannon which Rockforth brought along fired to “open the dance” (remarkably I rolled a successful activation for both this piece and the heavy gun of Lord Brooke’s during the same turn)
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| Rockforth's army in array |
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| Lord Brooke's infantry stand in Manor Field |
Rockforth had placed dragoons between Urry’s and Hasting’s horse to enable these units to receive the enemy horse charges with the dragoons carbines and their own pistols to break up the attacks, but - having set up the battle lines a few days before - forgot the plan, and immediately sent them on a headlong charge against Wingate’s Horse and Brooke’s shotte unit
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| Wingate's Horse. Note the extra figure in the unit (the cornet) For 1 point, he increases the unit size thus it's ability to sustain more casualties.The small marker is fallen pistol holder which represents the one-shot pistols available. These offer a one dice addition to the attack rolls. |
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| Curry's horse crash into Wingate's troopers in the first attack of the battle |
The result was Brooke’s purple clad musketeers were forces literally with their backs to the fence but making the appropriate tests, held for a long time until they succumbed to Hastings’ cuirassiers.
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| shows the western part of battlefield early in the engagement. I did not follow the 3" space rule obviously. While I had a bigger area set up. the battle area itself was only 4' by 3' with 28mm. |
Meanwhile initially defeated, Wingate’s troopers on the far left wing of Brooke’s army came back to defeat Urry’s experienced horsemen but these were countered by Hastings men
In the centre, all the pike units had formed pike hedges (schiltrons) and awaited developments as unwilling to attack at the poorer odds.
Under constant barrage - yes, only two shots but these rules are bloody - Hampden's shotte had enough and fled. This second shot was an activation “freebee” I had rolled for all those units I wanted activated and so could afford to loose Brooke’s turn should the roll fail. And it is probable that it might, as it is 9+ (on 2d6). Now of course I roll double 1’s. Does that mean they over charged it, or some such problem and it blows up? I rolled again and rolled a 9 which is their activation number so I guess not…..
After forcing away Wingate’s horse, Hasting’s cuirassiers turned to the new threat of Blare’s horse which had charged diagonally across the field of battle
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| Blare's horse starting the battle behind Ballards' shotte unit (seen on the right after moving up) now start a diagonal charge across the field. |
Robart’s shotte unit faced only some musket fire and promptly failed its courage and two subsequent rally test to retire off the field. Rockforth’s army is disintegrating despite having the points advantage 42 to 36.
Robart’s pike, now alone on this part of the battlefield, rather to be shot by musket or cannon, decides on attack to force Ballard’s shotte away. While winning the combat, Ballard’s musketeers courage held and sensing the inevitable outcome, followed it shotte unit and fled - kinda a rationalization on it’s roll of 3 on the courage test, eh?
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| WRobart's pike last gasp at victory but Ballard's musketeers do not collapse. Painted 26+ years ago. while my painting style has changed, these Foundry's, while a little "stumpy" still look good. Perry sculpts. |
And speaking of rationalization, the last of Rockforth’s units - poor Hampden’s pike, rolled but a ‘2’ for its activation and with that I decided it would surrender standing in the middle of the bloody Manor Field.
The battle remarkably concluded the Tersey campaign of 1642 as Rockforth was found dead near the battle with a bullet wound.
