The Battle of Worcester was fought on the 3rd September 1651 between the Parliamentary army of Oliver Cromwell (28,000 men) and a combined Royalist and Scottish army (16,000 men) under the command of King Charles II. It was to be final battle of the English Civil War and a victory to Cromwell.
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| The game setup. |
I am using the scenario from “With Pike and Musket” by C.F. Wesencraft as a guide for setting up this game. The setup has the Royalist army positioned defensively around Worcester with the Parliamentarian army advancing and attempting to cross the River Severn and River Teme south of Worcester. These can be crossed by rolling a 4 or higher on a D6 to build a pontoon bridge. The Parliamentarians had gathered any available boats in the vicinity to construct a couple of bridges for river crossings.
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| Overhead photo of the tabletop |
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| A view of the defences at Worcester |
During the weekend, I made some English Civil War themed casualty markers to help track units hits during the game. I found some images online and printed them in black and white, then drew and painted over them to create the markers. After completing them they were scanned and colour printed.
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| The original drawn and painted markers which I did a few months back for another type of casualty marker. |
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| Scanned and printed then glued to cardboard (from an old box of crackers by the looks of it). The printed version appears much duller compared to the original. |
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| The markers are cut out. I did also shape and curve the markers to make them easier to pick up and give them some shape. |
The printed markers were glued to cardboard and cut out. The casualties are of two colours: red for one hit and blue for two hits. They're positioned at the rear of a unit’s base to monitor hits. However, to minimise the number of casualty markers cluttering the base, they are doubled when a marker is placed on the side of the base. So, a blue casualty marker positioned on the base's side equates to four hits.
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| A unit with 3 hits (red casualty = 1 hit and blue = 2 hits). |
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| A unit with 5 hits (red = 1 hits, blue = 2 hits doubled to 4 because it is position on the side). |
So everything is set for a game one evening this week.
Looking great, Peter, both table and casualty markers! You give a whole new understanding to the phrase, "it's a cracker!"
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly Jon. I am just waiting for a good block of free time to start the game.
DeleteFunnily enough Peter I had that Wesencraft book open for inspiration. Your table, as ever, is a model of clarity and aesthetics. Looking forward to seeing how the game goes.
ReplyDeleteChris/Nundanket
The book is an absolute joy to read and has lots of scenarios.
DeleteVery nice looking table and a really great idea for casualty markers, they work really well.
ReplyDeleteThe casualty markers work well if you are not having to track too many hits.
DeleteA fine looking table there Peter and Wesencraft's book is a classic for sure:).
ReplyDeleteThank you. It is one of those books I always reach for when gaming the ECW.
DeleteTaht looks quite a complicated scenario - be interesting to hear how well it plays. I like the 'dead' markers but not keen on positioing changing the value - I think I would've gone with three colours: red, white and blue (an easily memorable sequence) to denote 1, 2 & 4 hits.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had done a third colour, and probably will but for the moment the position on the side will do.
DeleteVery effective. You can tell at a glance which unit has suffered and by how much.
ReplyDeleteThe markers make a nice and colourful change from dice or the flat square markers I normally use.
DeleteOutstanding casualty markers, Peter! I am assuming you will be using your ECW rules linked above (sorry if i missed that)? I'll be watching this with interest as my ECW forces are just about ready to deploy!
ReplyDeleteI did not specify the rules being used as I may try some different rules. I have been quite taken by the Junior General free rules and also using a variation of SPI 30 years war quad game rules.
DeleteThe junior general rules are excellent. Stephen Thomas based his free "Tillys Very Bad Day" TYW/ECW rules off of "Ruperts Very Bad Day" from the Junior General site.
DeleteAgree both excellent rulesets.
DeleteThe Westencraft book and his other wargaming book were my first wargaming rules sets . Although I thought his Royalist unites were a bit small and needed flags and officers
ReplyDeleteI've just started collecting in this period again using older figures
I'm adding to the bases though
Pete
I did not know about the book until the last few years when I was luck to get an original copy. The units are quite small, not that it stops me enjoying the old black and white photos of the games.
DeleteGreat looking game Peter and excellent work on the markers. Another great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks, the longest part of the process was cutting them out.
DeleteSuper looking lay out. As usual, I await the report with anticipation.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to seeing how the scenario plays out.
DeleteYour table looks lovely. I thought you casualty markers looked good painted ….. and then was super impressed that you went the extra mile and cut them out!
ReplyDeleteThanks Norm. By cutting out the casualties they fit onto the unit’s base and move with the base. Unlike markers which on occasion get left behind when the base is moved.
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