Right then, it's off to the Battle of Hastings, keeping the theme of '1066 the Battle for Middle Earth'.... Our intrepid heroes have just thrashed the mighty Vikingr. No sooner have they settled down for a cup of nettle tea, then news reaches them that 'The Orcs' have landed, the Normans have hit the shores of Middle-Earth.
To run this game we used the 'Battle of Hastings' scenario from the book on the left, Historical Medieval Battles by Peter Sides. It's basically full of famous battles set to DBA/DBM Army sizes. Well worth it, if you can get hold of a copy. In this scenario the Norman's have 26 elements to the Anglo-Saxon's 21. We set victory for the first 8 kills. Extra rules for the battle..... First, the Anglo-Saxon's would have to hold the hill in a Shieldwall & could not advance 'en masse'. Second, ...however if a combat resulted in an enemy recoil or any Norman element in contact retreated, then the Anglo-Saxon element would follow up (like a Knight). This would give a little realism to Anglo-Saxon's actions on the day.
Well Jack & Amy's 'bloodlust' was up & they opted for command of the Norman's, while yours truly would be 'pinned' to Senlac Hill........... Bring it On!!!
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The Battle of Hastings set-up
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Anglo-Saxon set-up
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The Norman's arrayed in three Battle groups...
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The Norman's Attack!
The Norman's Attack!
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Up the hill they come, Spear & Bow first.
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Harold's Huscarls stand ready...
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The Breton's advance, the Breton Cavalry is ready to help out.
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Arrows & Bolts fly everywhere, but only 1 element recoils.
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In go the Norman Spears.....
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RaHoo!!! Down go TWO Norman Spears..!!
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HA HA HA!!! Take the pain Jack!
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On the left it's pretty much stalemate.
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Overview at this point, the Norman centre is buckling,
while on the right it could be a bit tricky as the Anglo-Saxon
Shieldwall is getting dragged down the hill.
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Jack sees the opportunity & the Breton Cavalry advances.
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Norman Knights wait for an opening.
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The right flank, the Breton's give ground.
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In the centre, the Norman Knights advance to plug the gap.
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It's not good for the Anglo-Saxon's, as they get dragged down the
hill in the centre.
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The Norman's have the advantage in numbers on the right.
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A better view of the right flank.
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Aaaargh! The Breton Cavalry pounces....
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Booo! Down go the Heroic Fyrd.
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Some Huscarls are mega impetuous & push the Norman's right down the Hill.
Meanwhile the Norman Knights Charge!!!!!
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The charge of the Huscarls!
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The charge of the Huscarls!
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However the supporting Huscarls are pushed back.
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The Breton Spears retire, dragging the Anglo-Saxons with them.
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Overview of the battle. The Anglo-Saxon lines are shown in dotted Maroon.
However the Shiedwall is broken in too many places (broad maroon line).
The Anglo-Saxon right flank is not looking good.
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Good Old Harold stands like a Rock.
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Jack is slowly picking apart the Anglo-Saxon right flank.....
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The Norman centre is steadied & the attack is back on.
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Come on! The Huscarls hack the Norman's to pieces...
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Nooooo! The Spear & Cavalry combo's are killing the Anglo-Saxon Right.
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Another view of the right flank.
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On the left flank, Amy sends in the Norman Knights.
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YES!!! What an opportunity, the MAD Huscarls hack their way through....
.....Duke William is in sight!
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The casualties are mounting for the Anglo-Saxon's.
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The Breton Cavalry is running the show.
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"It's Clobbering time!".....in goes Harold
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Amy's Knights gallop up the hill.
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Visions of a great Victory are..... dashed!
Duke William holds out & the MAD Huscarls bite the dust.
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The Anglo-Saxon's are still in the game... Come on!!
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ANNOYING!!!! The pesky Breton Cavalry..........
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Go on our Harold!!! The Dragon Banner is flying in the wind.
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The right flank is a shambles.... From an Anglo-Saxon point of view!
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'Harold & the Fyrd' could swing the battle!
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I quickly form a defence on the right.
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Another Norman is thrashed in the centre...
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It's carnage, but it's close.... Casualties all over.
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NOOO!! The Normans take the day 8-6...
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However.... Our Harold isn't a casualty....
Edith Swan-Neck, on a white charger, gallops to Harolds rescue.
They leg it from Senlac Hill......... To raise another Army????
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The horror's are whooping loudly, The Normans win our version of Hastings, just like history. However it was very close indeed. We felt the extra rules were spot on, the splintering of the Shieldwall worked well. It allowed the Breton Cavalry to make a big impression.
SO, does it end here? Who knows perhaps a Anglo-Saxon/Welsh/Scots Army may take on William the Conqueror next???
Really enjoyed the description of this battle. Harold lives to fight an other day! Can he gather another army to challenge William? Until he's off the scene William's grip on power would not be secure.
ReplyDeleteTo right he will bud!
ReplyDeleteWe based it around the '1066 Battle for Middle Earth' Film. If you haven't seen it yet then get a copy.
Cheers
MrF
Great report, and a great blog too!
ReplyDeleteMy two boys are 10 and 7 and im trying to get them into gaming, DBA, although ive never played it, seems like it could be worthwhile trying.
Pity, i lived in Catterick for 5 years but moved to Germany last year.....
Great blog, Cheers.
Steve.
Cheers Yorkie
ReplyDeleteDBA is a smashing game, easy to play. Though it's best to get someone to show you. However be warned, learning to play from the Official Rulebook can be frustrating, there is an Unofficial guide available which you can download free. It helps to learn the rules and gives good explanations. Good luck fella.
Cheers
MrF
Could you supply a detailed break down of the Saxon forces? I'm working up enough 28mm troops to pull this one off, but want to be sure I get the forces right. Thanks, lovely battle description!
ReplyDeleteKevin Mello in the USA
Now then Fortrat
ReplyDeleteThe book lists the Saxons as:-
6 Blade (O);
14 Spear (I);
1 Blade General Oh Harold (O)
Normans
6 Knight (F);
2 Cav (O);
2 Lhorse (O);
9 Spear (I);
8 Bow(I);
1 Knight General William(F)
All the Best & let me know how your battle goes!
Cheers
MrF