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.