ECW Campaign - Game 16

The Royalist cause started 1644 by recruiting a marching army to challenge Parliament's control of the South Coast region. Parliament responded quickly and both forces clashed in March 1644 near the town of Nether Wallop.

Tabletop setup with troops deployed

Deployed positions

Terrain cards determined the tabletop and both sides deployed. Royalist forces being the smaller force were able to select their preferred side for deployment and the battle began at noon with both sides edging forward to within musket range.

Parliament dragoons move forward into the fields

In the centre Parliament move forward to the edge of the hill and musket range

Parliamentarian cavalry charge forward. In the background Royalist reserve cavalry can be seen moving around to the other flank.

A close up of the charging cavalry

Both sides cavalry engage in a struggle that saw neither gain the ascendancy

Parliament's centre pushes forward to engage in push of pike as their ammunition runs out

Royalist reserve cavalry appear on their right flank and Parliamentarian commanded shot hastily retire to  the woods. At this stage Royalist forces were at the brink of defeat. Another loss would have seen their army resolve fail.

As evening closes in Royalist cavalry charges home and the Parliament army resolve fails. 

Another victory for the Royalist cause. They snatched from what appeared to be the jaws of defeat. Until the final turn Parliament would have won if they had been able to rout a Royalist unit, but it was not to be.

Battle movements

A good start to 1644 for the Royalists.