Thursday 27 June 2013

Poleaxed !

A Wars of the Roses game using Poleaxed 2 rules.

 
Raph turned up this afternoon with his beautiful Wars of the Roses troops and a copy of Poleaxed 2 rules for a game
 
Here they are, men at arms in front; bowmen behind
 
A really colourful sight
 
The rules are by The Lance & Longbow Society so come with some pedigree
 
Here's my army roster sheet, Warwick in command with contingents commanded by Scrope, Norfolk, Arundel, Cromwell, Berners & Bouchier respectively
 
And here's my Yorkist troops advancing to battle
 
 
 
Raph had Lancastrians under the command of Somerset and Trollope with contingent commanders Welles, Exeter, Devon, Codnor, FitzHugh and Greystock.
 
The two armies exchanged bow shots as they closed on each other


 
And then they charged home
 
The Yorkists managed to get on the right flank of the Lancastrians but likewise, the Yorkists got a wrap around on Scrope's men near the centre.

 
The melee ebbed and flowed



The Yorkist breakthrough was when both Somerset and Welles were killed in the action

 
But just when they didn't need it, Scrope's men broke from action as their losses became too much

So, no outright winner after all but a big blow for the Lancastrians losing their commander
 
This was my first attempt at Poleaxe, so Raph had to do all the number crunching and calculations.
No doubt, it will be easier next time !
 
... and worth it just to have these gorgeous troops gracing my table for a few hours !

Tuesday 25 June 2013

Waterloo

French cavalry v British squares.


I don't know why, but today I fancied setting out a cavalry attack against the squares as depicted in the film "Waterloo".  It's not as if I have even sat down and watched it recently !

Anyway, here's my version , with apologies to the film makers ! ..










Sunday 23 June 2013

Condottieri 1501

Fillippo Baglioni, Condottieri mercenary leader in the employ of the city of Altoforte has decided to attack the poor burghers of neighbouring city, Borgonuovo, which, in desperation hires the German mercenary, Hans Gruebenhagen

Here is the belligerent, Fillippo Baglioni

His troops mass on the hills facing Borgonuovo


And here we see Gruebenhagen giving last minute instructions to his crossbowmen and gunners

These are the few cavalry Gruebenhagen has to hold the line
 
Here we can see the gallant troops of Gruebenhagen defending the hill line and village as the enemy advance
     
 
Here we can see the town Briganti defending a village
 
  And these few professional soldiers advance to protect their right flank

Vicious attacks are launched across the length of the battlefield


Never before has poor little Borgonuovo faced such terrible odds


 
But their brave defenders put up a good fight
 
Il Tellio, the local publican hopes business will not be interrupted ?
 
For so long, the plucky Borgonuovans fought off the attacks of the evil Altofortians

Wave after wave were repulsed

 
but in the face of such insurmountable odds


 
the end was never in doubt
 
It was with great reluctance that Hans Grubenhagen bade farewell to Borgonuovo ... but after all, he has just been made a better offer by Castelvecchio !
 
 The gates of Castelvecchio

Well, hello ladies !
 
I'm sure his trusty Landsknechts will know where to find him ...
 
THE END.