Sunday 26 March 2017

Hundred Years War - Game 6 of the 6x6 challenge

This weekend I was able to play out a another Hundred Years War (HYW) game as part of my 6x6 gaming challenge. The games are being played as part of a campaign where the English are trying to navigate their way back to their ships without bumping into too many elements of the French army who are naturally trying to stop them escaping.

Moving on with game 6 with Prince Riddick being attacked (black arrow) while in game 5 the French  retired (red arrow)
Game 6

The French force under the leadership of Baron Bechard had at his command the following units:

  • 2 x Men at Arms
  • 2 x Foot Sergeants
  • 2 x Crossbow

The French line up along the river
The English were able to field one more unit because they were with the baggage. Part of the campaign rules are that after every 3 games the number of foot sergeant and archer units a force can field (originally 5) are reduced by one to reflect attrition and desertion on the campaign. As this is the sixth game after this game only 3 of these units types can be fielded. The exception is for the units with the baggage which ignore this rule and can still field 5 units.

So the English field (with their baggage):
  • 1 x Mounted Men at Arms
  • 1 x Foot Men at Arms
  • 2 x Foot Sergeants
  • 3 x Archers


English forces and baggage represented by the tent
The English started by pushing units towards the stone bridge on their right and towards the ford in the centre. While at the same time moving up their main battle line.

English archers quickly move up to harass the centre French units by the ford
The English position themselves to attack the woods next to the stone bridge crossing
At the ford French foot sergeants charged forward forcing the English archers to retire quickly to the woods. Their advance was countered by some English foot sergeants. By the stone bridge things were going better for the English with a unit of foot sergeants charging into the woods in an attempt to flush out the crossbowmen within.

English archers retire quickly to the cover of woods
French crossbowmen are attacked in the woods by the stone bridge
Move French units crossed the ford to support the foot sergeants who had beat a quick retreat into some difficult terrain. While by the stone bridge a single unit of men at arms defended the bridge after the crossbowmen were successfully eliminated by the English foot sergeants.

The French move their forces across the river
A unit of man at arms prepares to defend the stone bridge
Seeing a slight opportunity with the English spread out. Baron Bechard leads his last reserve unit of men at arms across the river to support an attack on the English centre and woods. Taken by surprise a couple of English units are forced to give ground.

French foot sergeants push back the English left flank
In the centre the advancing Baron supported by good crossbow shooting put step English centre at risk
The English centre was able to neutralise the threat with volleys of arrows and positioning of their mounted men at arms. Seeing his brave gamble had not come off the Baron mad a hasty retreat before the English could charge and turn a minor victory into a major victory. This would have been done by eliminating the Baron and his unit.

The French retire to limit their losses

While this battle is the last of the 6x6 challenge the campaign will be played to a conclusion. So the campaign scene is setup for some campaign moves in readiness for game 7.

State of play as we left it at the end of game 6.
Movement post the game 6 saw Sir John catch up with his commander Prince Riddick. The last element of the English army under the command of the Sheriff of Lockdew will be having to fight another rear guard action, after Baron Chastain had mustered all his available troops and attacked.

Game 7 will have two depleted forces battling it out
The English really need a major victory or hope the French have few campaign moves to enable them to make a run for the ships. Too many more battles and they will not be able to field many units. The French can always field additional units when fighting in and around their towns and villages.

5 comments:

  1. Another fine battle, Peter! I was surprised to see the French abandon their fine defensive position against the river to take the fight to the English. Was that a rash decision by Bechard?

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    1. Yes, it was a bit rash. The French were trying to drive of the English archers were starting to pepper them with a few volleys of arrows. Then the next moment this turned into an all out assault.

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    2. Without restraint, situations can get out of hand quickly on the battlefield. Hopefully, the French can regain that control before the next engagement.

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  2. Had Bechard pulled it off, he would not doubt have gained in rank and stature, but history is generally not kind to the 'nearly did it' types. :-)

    I think you have come up trumps with this campaign - it is working very well.

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    1. A gallant effort by Baron Bechard which thankfully for the English did not come off. I am really enjoying this campaign and associated rules which started out as Lion Rampant before being blended with some OHW style changes as I got tired of rolling 12 dice and also wanted to represent larger battles.

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