To Topple a King: Parliament's Fifth Strategic Move

 

Sir Bevill Dedge and Sir Osborne Black-D'eath discuss next moves
on a bench beside the Thames in London

1642: November

In a somewhat expected response recent moves by the Royalists in Wales, attention now switches back to the Parliamentary cause and the opening gambit to be played by the Sir Osborne Black-De'arth, who is being steered by  Mark through out the campaign.

Sir Osborne opts to move his forces out of London and boards friendly naval vessels and they are transported to the Lancashire region.

Sir Osborne now has control over the key Lancashire locations in Lancashire - Carlisle, Hulme and Preston, which are neutral but wiling to help the Parliamentary cause.

With this move their have been clear noises coming form north of the border to indicate that the Scots Covenanter Government is actively considering raising a force to intervene in the Civil War raging south of the border...

As ever, they have no indication of his relative strength or if he or Sir Osborne has garrisoned any location in the Lancashire region, as far as is known at present the  entire enemy force remains in the field.

Campaign initiative now returns to the Royalist team and it loops back to Steve who controls Prince Wilhelm of the Rine, who is currently based in the South West region of England, after this move the Campaign move son to 1643 and a potentially more active phase as all 'free' regions are now taken.

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Campaign Materials sourced from Steven Bagalan / Map by Peter Davies

To Topple a King: Parliament's 4th Strategic Move

 

1642: September/October

Reports reached London and Oxford of the recent successful move by SirArron Graces, the famous actor, poet and bard who commands one of Sir Bevill Dedge's brigades, he has now secured the South East Region for Parliament.

Sir Aaron was seen leading his men south, accompanied by his twin Border Collies Piper & Drummer, as ever Sir Arron was on foot at the forefront of his forces.

With this move the towns, cities and countryside of the South East region are in the hands of the People. In doing so he also takes control of the strongly pro Parliament towns & cities of Dover & Canterbury, see  the blue dots on the map below. 

Graces' force is signified by the light blue tile.

Whilst Parliamentary leaders in London are congratulating themselves on completing this part of their master plan, the enemy in Oxford are also aware of Graces' movement - but as ever, they have no indication of his relative strength or if he or Sir Bevill have garrisoned any location in either the South East or Lower Thames Valley, as far as they are concerned at present the  entire enemy force remains in the field, albeit spread across two regions.

In celebration of his occupation of the region, Sir Aaron writes and performs his latest Sonnet to the gentlefolk of the South East to much applause...

In yonder realm, where shadows cast their pall,

A valiant knight did rise, by honour driven,

Sir Aaron Graces, leader strong and tall,

With heart ablaze, his cause was thusly given.

 

From Sussex to fair Surrey's verdant plains,

He led his foot brigade with steadfast might,

To break the chains of tyranny's cruel reign,

And free the land from Charles the tyrant's blight.

 

Brave Graces, noble knight of righteous aims,

His sword gleamed bright, his armour staunch and true,

With every step, he quelled the people's claims,

And ushered in an era that was new.

 

Oh, gallant leader, fierce and full of grace,

Your name shall shine through time, a beacon's trace.

Strategic initiative now passes to the Royalist Team, where Paul acting as Lord Cockington must deliberate on his and the Royalist's next move.

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Campaign Materials sourced from Steven Bagalan / Map by Peter Davies