ECW Campaign Game 9 Setup

In the last campaign battle Royalist forces won the Battle of Ottery St. Mary and in doing so gained control of the South West region. On the back of this victory Royalist forces had the option of pushing the cause further west and into Cornwall, or turn their attention to the West Midland region where they have 3 adjacent controlled regions versus Parliament's 2 regions. (A reminder that recruiting armies can re-roll recruiting dice once for each adjacent region they control.)

The Midlands will be key regions in 1643 when marching armies start to take centre stage in the campaign. So with the initiative in their favour Royalists choose to contest the West Midlands region.

Campaign map showing controlled areas and the West Midlands as the next area to be fought over for control.

Next the terrain for the West Midland clash was decided as usual with terrain cards, and the tabletop set up.

Terrain cards

Tabletop all setup and ready for the Battle of Birdlip Lane

Recruiting did not start well for the Royalist supporters and it was only after sending out messages requesting support to the surrounding regions did they muster a force larger than their opposition. The forces are to clash near the small town of Birdlip and lined up either side of Birdlip Lane which bisects the battlefield.

Order of battle...

Parliament:

• 4 Cavalry (Trotters)
• 4 Infantry
• 2 Dragoons
• 1 Commanded Shot
• 1 Artillery

Royalist:

• 4 Cavalry (Gallopers)
• 5 Infantry
• 2 Dragoons
• 1 Commanded Shot
• 1 Artillery
• 1 Elite Pike

Parliament having the fewer units gets to choose which side of the tabletop to defend. Most likely they will choose the near side in the above photo using the woods and Birdlip town to secure their flanks.