Saturday 8 April 2017

Hundred Years War campaign - game 9

It appears the end of the campaign is in sight with English forces now within one campaign move of escaping to the waiting ships. A delaying attack on the English escape by Baron Bechard is made in the hope that other elements of the French army will be able to close in time and stop Prince Riddick and his army.

Campaign Map
Baron Bechard took to the field with 7 units. Included were 2 units because there was a nearby town which could bolster his force.

  • 1 x mounted men at arms
  • 1 x foot men at arms
  • 2 x crossbow men
  • 1 x archers
  • 2 x foot sergeants


The French occupy the town to secure their right flank 
 The English force led by Prince Riddick split their attack into two. On their right flank:

  • 1 x mounted men at arms
  • 1 x mounted sergeants
  • 2 x archers
  • 1 x foot sergeants

And on their left facing the town:

  • 2 x foot men at arms
  • 1 x foot sergeants
  • 1 x archers

Not dissimilar to the last engagement the English made a wide flank attack while advancing the town with their remaining units in the hope of keeping as many of the French units occupied and away from the flank attack.
French forces prepare for the English flank attack
English right flank cross the river

Both English attacks moved very slowly giving both sides the opportunity of using missile fire to soften up the opposing force.

French move to defend the town, but are wary of the flanking force.
Finally the English force starts to advance after much delay
The English pushed further around with their mounted units forcing the Baron Bechard to withdraw his left flank back towards the town.

English mounted forces move prepare to attack
French prepare for the attack
The English made a combined attack on both the town and French left flank. During the fighting, which saw the French dislodged from the town and the English men at arms push home their attack, Prince Riddick was unhorsed and carried from the field injured. Baron Bechard narrowly escaped injury himself and was able to retire with his remaining units.

The town is taken
Baron Bechard escapes

With victory in sight - the English commander is injured, the French commander narrowly escapes, and we have our first drawn game. A point to the French for injuring Prince Riddick and one point to the English for being the first to reduce the opposition forces by 50 percent.

This is not a good result for the English as French forces will remain in the campaign square forcing a rematch with the possibility of more French units arriving.

7 comments:

  1. I thought the wily English may have this one but a draw instead. This campaign is coming down to the wire as the French march to the sound of the bows.

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    1. Marching to the sound of bows - I like that. The campaign move dice 3+ for English and 4+ for French will now be critical.

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  2. One hopes that Riddick is well enough to take to the saddle again - but if not, we do at least have the dependable Sheriff of Lockdew, who no doubt will rise to the occasion.

    Nice to see the campaign coming to a natural (and tight) conclusion, rather than a collapse earlier on - well administered.

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    1. The English do need to Sheriff to join them as the campaign moves into the last couple of games. I am please with how the campaign has swung momentum to both sides as it progressed. Luck has a part to play, but also keeping rules simple and introducing the odd rule where the campaign needs it. For example, reducing the ability to field as many units after each 3 games.

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  3. As always - splendid photos and description of Battle. The cast is set for a second Battle - if the British are successful with they then reach the awaiting ships? Certainly admire your Minifigs - I have a completly Illustrated Cataloge for Minifigs dating back to the 1970s - I look at it now and then- superb figures which are still available.

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    1. Thank you KEV. I do like the old Minifigs they were easy to paint with sufficient but not too much detail. I have a few samurai and may purchase a few additional miniatures. It is always interesting looking through old catalogs and having a smile at the prices.

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    2. The Minifigs Catalogue I have does not list prices, though it has full listings of all their range -plus B&W photographs of most of their 25mm and 15mm Ranges...it is a bit of treasure!

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