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Our first game of Lion Rampant the new medieval skirmish rules from Osprey.

Murder and Mayhem at the Market Fair

Northern England near the Scottish Border, Spring 1313

Two retinues have attended the May Fair at this sleepy northern village for generations. Sir John the Great and his men see themselves as English and hail from a nearby Castle, loyal to the Percy Family. Sir Brian the Blessed’s family come from North of the border, though with lands in both England and France, their loyalties lie closer to Scotland.

Tensions have been increasing between the two retinues over the last few years. Each year there is a tournament with a fairly brutal Melee at the May Fair. This is where each side has traditionally settled old grudges without recourse to all out conflict. This year however both sides have come prepared for more and tempers have flared after a Yeoman was killed in a tavern brawl the night before. Whilst the villagers and visiting merchants prepare for the annual market all out conflict begins between the two retinues.

Outcome
The story of our battle is retold in the gallery above. Eventually both sides reached a stalemate. The English ransomed Sir Brian and left the field of battle whilst the Scots held their ground and retired to the Inn to drown their sorrows but with much reduced funds to do so. So Honours even and both sides planning to restart hostilities at the earliest opportunity.

Romans against the Hunnic Empire’s Subjects

It’s is the fifth century AD in the Western Roman Empire. A horde of raiding Huns and their Subject Gothic nations have been intercepted by a Roman Field Army and whatever local troops can be mustered. Elite Roman Cavalry and well trained infantry (don’t mention the militia) against a larger force of Barbarians. Gothic Heavy Cavalry are supported by Gothic Infantry and led by Hunnic generals with Hunnic light cavalry in a skirmish role.

The Roman’s claim victory as the Cataphracts successfully drive off the Gothic Cavalry.

We used the Hail Caesar rules to fight a clash between the forces of Gondor (with some High Elven Allies) against the forces of Harad (with some Orcish support).

The Steward of Gondor has sent his General to strike a blow against the forces of Harad and Umbar which have been raiding his coastline and southern provinces.  The Haradrim elect a mighty Chieftain and the Serpent Lord to lead their armies and Sauron sends his Orcs and Trolls in support.   The two forces meet at an oft fought battle ground where the river bordering their two nations can be crossed near its source.

Cattle Raid

Continuing our campaign from the previous game Aesc once again sets out to raid into Rhegin. This time he is returning South from a successful cattle raid.

The Saxons enter the field of combat from the North, the Britons intercepting them on their way South to their ships on the coast enter from the South West. The terrain represents the South Downs with a once thriving religious community or Ecclesia with a ruined church, burnt down in a previous raid and an enclosed field where livestock once roamed safely.
The Britons were clearly alert and the Saxons managed just one short move to the South before the British vanguard under Julius enters the table. The levy of course lagging behind.

British Force Morale 5+3=8

Saxon 6.  +1=7

Cards dealt.

Lords and troops they command and begin near to:

British Lord= Julius (Elites, Milites); 1=Amminus (Milites, Levy); 2=Vellocatus (Levy).

Saxon: Lord= Aesc (Hearth A); 1=Eastmund (Hearth B, warriors with livestock); 2=Paega (Warriors).

The game begins with the Saxons advancing down the centre of the table from North to south. Eastmund leads the elites ahead and Paega takes his warriors to the west of the woods and forms up a mass formation. Aesc brings up his elites and the warriors with livestock move to the east before moving south.

A Large shieldwall was formed by Britons in centre.  Julius first advanced his units to block the route to the south and formed a shieldwall to await the reserves. Then Aesc and Eastmund formed a mass line opposite. Amminus with some good rolls brought up his units in shieldwall with the Milites to the fore and then later Julius brought the two shieldwalls together two form a large central line. Aesc attempted to close but the distance was too far. but his missile troops harrass the shieldwall from the small hill to the west.

Through the use of a Carpe Diem card Julius charges his shieldwall into the Saxon line and his Champion plays a Hero card to add some dice in the combat. This also allows Julius to overlap on both sides of the line and orevents Aesc from using all those attack cards he has ready. A long and drawn out fight ensues with the shieldwall very slowly pushing the hearthtroops back. The shieldwall advantage of preventing a kill making a real difference.

In an attempt to outflank the shieldwall the Saxons move South with warriors to the west of the woods and the hill. However the British levy close to block their advance and protect Julius’ flank. The Saxons attack but fortunately the British play a shieldwall braced card and though thrown back just about survive.

In the centre the Saxons abandon the livestock in attempt to bring the warriors into the fight. However they roll so low they fail to close!

Eventually Aesc and half his hearth troop are routed.  Shieldwall holds.  Animals are lost and running free away from the sound of battle back towards the British friendly edge. Julius attempts to close against Aesc now leading the remainung unit of warriors but he plays an evade card and retires towards the church.

The Saxons seeing that the day is lost retire from the field with the British holdingground rather than see more Levy killed. The Saxons have two retreat cards and the British just one. pursuit.

Saxons FM=5

OUTCOME
The British claim a small 2 point victory and both forces return home to recover their losses? About 14 for the Saxons mainly elites and about 5 for the British.

Saxons FM=2

Phil and Mike played Bolt Action. Phil’s Russians successfully attacked the fuel dump from the defending germans.