To Topple a King: Royalist 3rd & 4th Strategic Moves

Royalist Dragoon waving his musket about

1642: September/October

After what seems like many days of lack of information for each of the opposing command teams in Oxford & London, finally word comes through of significant Royalist strategic movements.

Firstly, German born, Prince Ruprecht of the Elbe moves his forces from the Upper Thames Valley region to that of the West Midland, this is the closely followed by the Italian stallion - Giovanni da Verrazano - moving his forces to the Yorkshire region via the newly secured East Midlands region.

In the West Midlands, Prince Ruprecht's force took control of the Pro-Royalist tows/cities of Chester & Shrewsbury, whilst in Yorkshire Giovanni's forces got control of pro-Royalist locations of Newcastle & York as well as the pro-Parliament port of Hull.

As noted, enemy leaders in London eventually become aware of Giovanni & the Prince's movements - but they have no indication of his relative strength of these forces or if any garrisons have been set-up in either region, as far as they are concerned at present, both Royalist forces remain in the field.

Strategic initiative now passes to the Parliamentary Team, where Sir Bevill Dedge is cogitating on his first move.

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Campaign Materials sourced from Steven Bagalan / Map by Peter Davies

To Topple a King: Parliament takes the Initiative

 

Escalating Public Order offences and vicious Dog fights result in Parliamentary forces
liberating the Lincolnshire region on behalf of the People, to prevent further violence.

1642: September/October

Parliamentary forces surge onwards and northwards as Sir Matthew Bacon secures access to the north by occupying the Lincolnshire region of the campaign map. In doing so he brings the formerly neutral region and it's notable towns & cities of Nottingham, Newark & Lincoln to the side of righteousness and democracy.

Whilst Royalist leaders in Oxford are initially shocked by Parliament pulling off two phases sequentially, they now prepare to do likewise themselves, with first Prince Ruprecht of the Elbe and then Giovanni da Verrazano displaying their extravagantly continental military prowess on the campaign field.

However of the recent moves by Sir Matthew, the Royalist know little, they have no indication of his relative strength or if he has garrisoned any location, as far as they are concerned at present the entire enemy force remains in the field.

What has been heard however is that the Parliamentary forces have been supplemented by mercenaries sourced form Scotland, they northern hosts having apparently been sent south by their overlords to bolster Sir William's weakened forces.

Strategic initiative now passes to the Royalist Team, the forces of the English People wait with baited breath!

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Campaign Materials sourced from Steven Bagalan / Map by Peter Davies

To Topple a King: Giovanni di Capo

Marchese Giovanni da Verrazano

First light this morning, amongst much hubbub, carousing and drinking of a cheeky breakfast wine, Marchese Giovanni da Verrazano marched his forces into Oxford and declared for the King. Known to many as 'Giovanni di Cappo' but to others as the 'Pirate of Venice'.

Reports indicate that Verrazano has a force of some 5,000 men with him, including a personal bodyguard of some 200 Venetian Horsemen known as the Azzuri.

Parliamentarian sympathisers question the veracity of Venetian Horsemen, with may at Mrs Miggins' Pie Shoppe suggesting that they in fact as combat ready as Seahorses!

The Royalist forces now have 4 of 5 commanders mustered in Oxford, whilst the Parliamentarians are lagging somewhat behind with just two commanders mustered in London and the other three presumably debating and voting on procedures and configurations for their forces!

So to date we have the following teams mustered...

Royalist                                                       Parliament

Dave - Ambrose Burnside                            Mat - William Bacon                               

Paul - Lord Cockington                                Mike - Bevell Dedge

Steve - Wilhelm of the Rine                         -----------------------------------

John - Giovanni di Capo                              Mark - Osborne Black-De'ath

-----------------------------------                       Phil - Philip Johnson

Rupert - Ruprecht of the Elbe                       Nigel - Magnus Worthyman