For a change, I played in as many games as I ran this year! As it turned out, both used version of Daniel Mersey's Lion Rampant rules from Osprey. That being the case, I actually bought an pdf copy so that I might have a basic familiarity with them!
The first was the Battle of Crecy; I had the archers behind the barriers on the left of the photos, another concealed in the woods on the left, the two mounted units of Knights, and a motley, smelly band of pilgrims, peasants, and camp hangers on to the rear. My fellow "Englishman", Steve, had the remainder of the forces... 2 Archer units (one concealed in the woods to the right), a unit of Handgunners, and a unit of dismounted Knights in the center.
Opposing us were Roland (great name for a player in a Medieval wargame, standing in black), and Mike (seated). The GM, my freind Mark T, is standing explaining the scenario. I had volunteered to play either side, knowing that Crecy is a tough act for the French!
A view as the French begin their advance. From the front, the position can only be attacked through the gap in the center, or on the flanks, mostly through the woods. My fellow Englishman, Sir Steven, is surveying the field.
Mike advances on Steve's position on our right, causing the concealed Archers to reveal themselves.
The French advance; Roland had several early turn terminations, greatly hindering his advance. Sir Steve explains to me that in Lion Rampant, Woods are the great equalizer, and that my motley crew would be pretty much the equal of anyone else when fighting therein. So, Tally Ho, they begin their sylvan trek, planning to protect the flank of Sir Steve's (red) archers.
The ranks of the advancing French are thinned by the shooting of Sir Steve's archers. His handgunners prove particularly deadly when they manage to get a shot off, ignoring the armor of the French Knights!
Lord Roland carefully stays out of range of my own archers as much as he can.
A wave of French have broken upon the English center, but did reduce Sir Steve's Foot Knights below 50%, so my mounted Knights move up to fill the gap. Sir Steve's archers have wiped out the Marquis de Mike's crossbowmen and all of his mounted troops, the Marquis has pulled his foot sergeants out of range of the English arrows.
My first unit of knights suffers losses in a series of mandatory "Wild Charges",
as the smellies trudge s-l-o-w-l-y through the woods.
My left flank archers finally decided to show themselves in the woods, as everyone knew they must be there anyway! I think they shot once during the game. Lord Roland readies another assault upon the Gap. on the far fight, he Marquis de Mike has stirred, sending his foot sergeants to attack the flank of Sir Steve's position. In response, the smellies ooze onward through the woods and down the slope of the hill.
Lord Roland's attack repulsed, the French foot soldiers decide to try to contest the position, while the sergeants and peasants slowly gravitate towards one another.
Situation in the woods and the English center.
The bigger picture. The smellies and the sergeants clash, with the smellies prevailing by a hair, repulsing their betters! "Whenny woody winnie!"
Both units in the woods then proceed to fail their courage checks (not shocking for the smellies, but less likely for the Sergeants), exclaiming "Run away!". The French conceded the day, whilst the English drool at the thought of all the ransom money that will be coming their way for the captured French chivalry!
Mark and I headed out for lunch after the game, and in the process discussed ways to balance the scenario more. Mark decided that probably all of the French will start on the table at the outset, and the handgunners were actually meant to be only 6 figures strong instead of 12.
Saturday afternoon I played in a second Lion Rampant game, this time the Battle of Tinchebray, September 28, 1106. Continuing on y English theme, I took up the cause of Henry I, King of England, and commanded the center of the army, composed of some archers and many dismounted men at arms. Sir Steve commanded the English Left, composed mostly of mounted knights and men at arms, and I believe it was Jim commanding the English Right, once again comprised mostly of mounted troops. Opposing us, under the banner of Robert of Normandy, Henry's older brother, were Mark T on their right, Eric opposite me, and I don't think I got the name of the last player. GM Chris Parker is seen presiding at the head of the table.
I liked Chris' "Large Battle" Lion Rampant variant. The gris is not used, but ALL units roll to activate, and a failure doesn't stop the rest of the command from activating, just the unit it applies to. Chis also changed the hist so that the first hit was permanent, but the second and subsequent hits from any combat could be saved by rolling he target's armor rating (1 - 4) or less on a D6. The saved hist still counted as modifiers for Courage tests, etc., for that round. Finally we each had three cards that could be used to reroll any activation or Courage test.
The cavalry boys moved out with alacrity, but my foot men were more circumspect!
Overview of the battle;' our knights are pressing forward on the right!
The action to our left was more confused!
The white dice track hits; a green die means that many hits plus 6!
Sir Steve's men start to gain the upper hand over Duke Mark on our left.
Our right is really mopping up the Normans!
Duke Mark's forces are dwindling as well. My infantry chant "Whenny woodie winnie!".
The Norman flanks are collapsing; my contribution has mostly just ben to keep the Norman Center under Earl Eric occupied; my attempts to assault the annoying crossbowmen were generally thwarted!
Situation at the end of the game; the red chips indicate a unit that had failed its Courage test. Overall, a convincing win for King Henry I... much as in the real battle. More ransom money to come!
Thanks to all the players on both sides, and GM Chris Parker. I had a blast playing!