ECW Marston Moor Game Report

This is an English Civil War game report of the Battle of Marston Moor played on a 6 foot by 4 foot tabletop. A bit of a squeeze for such a big battle. In this game, the ditch is considered a Royalist objective, and their infantry cannot advance past the ditch and must defend.

The Royalist forces have reduced orders during the first two turns of the game because of the surprise Parliamentarian attack. In each turn of these first two turns, one order is subtracted from their total available. (See the D3 ECW Rules - sequence of play section).

During the game, both sides will use the Solo Decision Cards to determine their orders. Given Parliament's advantage in army size, the Royalist forces will likely adopt a 'hold' stance, while Parliament's army will generally remain in an 'attack' stance, unless they do particularly badly in the game.

A view from the Royalist side.

Opening Game Moves…

The initial actions saw Parliament's commanded shot troops moving forward to confront their counterparts lining the ditch, while the small number of artillery from both armies began their barrage. Meanwhile, the Parliamentary cavalry advanced on both flanks. On the left flank, the Royalist cavalry charged head-on into the advancing Parliamentary cavalry. 

The effectiveness of the Royalist commanded troops led to chaos among the right flank of Parliamentarian cavalry, resulting in their retreat and the subsequent need to advance of their reserve cavalry.

As the battle progressed, the Royalist forces' numerical advantage in cavalry on their right flank became evident, causing the Parliamentarian cavalry to rout, and some of their units charged off in pursuit of their foes. The cavalry engagement was to continue as Parliament’s cavalry reserve entered the fray.

Commanded shot advance and artillery opening salvos.

The cavalry of Parliament made advances on both sides.

Royalist cavalry engage the advancing cavalry on their right flank. On the other flank commanded shot lining the ditch shoot at the advancing cavalry of Parliament. 

Parliament’s reserve cavalry advance on their right flank.

Royalist cavalry rout the outnumbered Parliamentarian cavalry and pursue them off the battlefield.

Mid-game…

With cavalry engaged in combat on both flanks, the infantry at the centres of both armies proceeded to advance. The Royalist forces’ progress came to a halt at the ditch that extended across their front. They chose to hold their position, readying themselves to defend against an infantry force double their size. For a period of time, the armies maintained their lines while the cavalry battled and the infantry exchanged musket fire. Eventually, the Royalist cavalry successfully routed their opponents on both flanks, and charged headlong in pursuit of their fleeing enemy.

In the centre the infantry advance.

The battle rages across they whole battle line.

Royalist cavalry on both flanks defeat Parliament’s cavalry.

End Game…

The Royalist reserve cavalry on the right flank advanced towards Parliament's infantry threatening their flank, and hoping to provide support to their outnumbered infantry in the centre. In response, Parliament repositioned half their infantry to face the cavalry. The cavalry managed to rout one of Parliament's infantry units, but they became exhausted in the process. Once the cavalry threat was eliminated, Parliament's infantry resumed their assault on the Royalist centre, eventually forcing them to retreat with significant losses.

Royalist cavalry threaten Parliament’s flank.

Parliamentarian infantry turn to face the Royalist cavalry.

My one Scottish looking infantry advance. It contains a few gifted MiniFig ECW Scots figures.

The Royalist’s cede the field of battle.

Summary

The Parliamentarians achieved a victory, as they did in the historical battle. The Royalist commanded shot performed well, managing to disrupt and weaken the Parliamentarian right cavalry attack. This allowed the Royalist cavalry to defeat the Parliamentarian cavalry on both flanks. The outcome might have been closer had the Royalist cavalry not pursued their defeated foes off the tabletop rather than turning in to attack Parliament's centre.

Throughout the game, both sides followed the Solo Decision Card orders, which provided an entertaining game. I will share the details of the Solo Decision Cards in an upcoming posts.