War of the Roses ~ Re-Basing and New Troops

As mentioned in my previous post I took a lot of time out to rebase a whole bunch of figures. Part of this included re-basing all of my Lancastrians for Never Mind the Billhooks. This came about because I originally based my army for Hail Caesar but everyone at my club uses Billhooks for WotR's, so I decided to conform. Whilst I was at it I also took the time to make a whole bunch of sabot bases.

In doing this re-basing the units in my army grew in number because each unit went from 15/16 figures to 12 figures. I originally had 14 units - bill & bow, dismounted knights, pike, plus handgonners and mounted knights. This has now grown to 20 units with the inclusion of the new unit of Hobilars below.

My Henry VI and the Margret of Anjou bases are not really command bases for purposes of Billhooks they are more like vignettes to add a bit of colour and interest to the proceedings and to show the possible position of the monarch.

Because my bill and bow units had more archers than billmen I ran into a bit of a problem with filling out the units. I had the option of painting more figures or just amalgamating units. In the main I decided to amalgamate, although I did need to paint up about half a dozen figures to fill up some gaps.

Then there's these fellows below: They're left overs. I can't let them go to waste and I still have plenty of figures still on the sprue so I think they might be the starting point of a potential Yorkist army. 

Last but not least is my newest addition to my Lancastrians (most likely the last unit to be added). So here we have some Hobilars - Light Horse. Sometimes known as Prickers. This type of cavalry are very useful for getting in the enemy's flanks and rear areas by with their ability to move with flexibility. Once again the figures are Perry Miniatures from their WotR's plastic range.

I could have painted them with pretty subdued colours but I decided to paint them in a variety of panoply based on the retinues I already have. They came out pretty nice and add more colour to a pretty colourful army.

And that's it for now!

Bye.

Battle of Turdbridge Wells - York v's Lancaster.

"March forth." said the king, so on St Joseph's Day, the 4th of March Yorkist and Lancastrian armies once again met on England's green fields to decide which king would sit upon the throne; Good King Henry or Edward the Yorkist usurper! The arrays met in the fields by Turdbridge Wells to do great slaughter and bring about much sorrow and lamentation.

The armies faced each other. Somerset, Tudor, Exeter and Roos, for Lancaster had the advantage of high ground whereas, King Edward with Warwick and Falkenberg faced them with their forces sundered, one from the other, by a swift flowing stream. I decided to forgo my usual heavy horse and substituted a block of bill and bow under Lord Roos to hold the river bank.

Edward sent his mounted archers forward to try and circle around the Lancastrian left held by the Duke of Exeter.

Meanwhile the Lancastrian array advanced steadily along the whole line under the command of the Duke of Somerset. The plan was for Somerset and Roos to hold the river bank whilst Tudor advanced in the centre against Edward with his French pikes. Exeter would support him on the flank.

Edward's ward was quite large but he was considered a Hero with 3 Command pips so he should easily be able to keep command of his men as long as they stayed close together.

At the rear of the Lancastrian line Queen Margret with Buckingham awaited a stunning victory for Good King Harry.

First blood went to a unit of French handgonners under Exeter. They shot at Edward's mounted archers and killed several of them.

The red rose of Lancaster stole the initiative and continued the advance. The French pike under Jasper Tudor surged forward in an attempt to come to blows with their enemy as arrow and shotte from the Yorkist cannon took their toll (I pulled a Bonus Card - Perk: which gave them an extra free Action).

Beyond the stream Warwick advanced but stopped on the far bank. Falkenberg, commanding the king's heavy cavalry dithered behind Warwick's infantry taking more interest in the cannon and skirmishers under his command.

Exeter's ward advanced steadily and exchanged arrows with Edward's archers whilst he prepared his knights to charge into combat.

In the centre, Edward pushed his men-at-arms through his bill and bow in preparation for the French assault. The pike charged in a great clash of arms. The English knights got the worst of is but stood their ground. This battle would grind away for some time with neither side gaining the upper hand.

On the flank the archery continued as the Duke of Exeter's men got into position for the charge. Before they could charge home the Yorkist archers fled the field leaving their billmen to meet the charge unaided (they failed a Moral Crisis Test at the end of the turn because they were reduced to below half strength). Exeter's charge smashed the Traitor's billmen but they managed to hold their ground for the time being.

On the other flank Lord Roos took position on a rise and exchanged long range archery with Warwick's troops who seemed reluctant to cross the stream. 

On the opposite bank Warwick hid in a small cops of trees trying to decide whether to cross the stream or not. As his men dithered they took steady casualties from both Roos's and Somerset's archers.

With the pike grinding away at Edwards centre, Tudor and his brave Welshmen, set up to rush in when the pike had done their work. They had to endure shooting from some Burgundian handgonners on the opposite bank of the river but they received few casualties.

Tired to waiting Warwick's men-at-arms charged through their fellow billmen and across the stream into Somerset's bill and bow. Choosing to forego shooting the billmen moved through the archers to meet Warwick's knights head on (Somerset was attached so he had the choice to shoot or switch ranks). 

The foot knights became Disarrayed because they moved through the stream and this undid them. They were beaten soundly and pushed back. With a shout, Somerset led his men forward to keep up the pressure on Warwick's knights as the floundered on the riverbank.

King Edward the Traitor, joined his knights against the French pike but again there was no clear winner (second drawn combat) but this time the French were obliged to withdraw. (After the 3rd round of combat if there is no clear winner the original "charger" must withdraw.) 

Both sides were beaten bloody but on the flank, and out of shot, Exeter had beaten Edward's other bill and bow block and was poised to charge into the flank of the King's remaining troops. Tudor sat in wait with an extremely vulnerable flank but Warwick chose not to send any troops over the Turdbridge, obviously fearing it's formidable reputation for destroying quality footwear. 

Behind the lines the Queen was receiving reports that the Yorkist army was beginning to crumble.

The Duke of Exeter charged into Edward's flank causing his remaining archers to flee the field whilst the billmen stood firm and turned to face Exeter's attack. Edward left his men at arms to try and stem Exeter's attack. But to what avail?

Tudor sprung his trap and charged into Edward's remaining men-at-arms and massacred them (see the dice below). 

(21 out of 21 hits - It was almost embarrassing...  Almost!!!)

Jasper Tudor lead his men into the rear of Edward's last hope crying out the Traitor's name hoping to take him in chains for the judgement of Queen Margret.

On the banks of the stream the Duke of Somerset and Lord Roos continued raining arrows into Warwick's remaining troops as they slowly crumbled away. However, as Warwick (Alan) kept reminding his king; "I haven't lost a full unit yet."

The kings men were crushed between Exeter and Tudor but, like a slippery eel King Edward managed to escape and left his men to their grizzly fates. (We fought the combat but Edward escaped without injury. So we decided he escaped but at the same time the Yorkist army collapsed. I had no horse so we couldn't have chased him anyway.)

The Queen looked on over the fleeing Yorkists awaiting news of Edward's capture or death but, alackaday, it was not to be. The Usurper had escaped and would, no doubt rise again somewhere; with a new army. 

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Well, after four games my Lancastrians finally got a win under their belts. The dice were on the side of the righteous this day (me) but I also think that my deployment was better right from the start and I stuck to my plan. Tom as Edward and Alan as Warwick didn't co-ordinate very well this time around. Alan also had Falkenberg with heavy cavalry but they got stuck behind his infantry and did nothing for the entire battle. He should have sent them over the bride right from the start. That would have ruined my whole battle plan.

I think I've discovered the way to win NMtB ` You've got to be ruthless. No pity. No quarter!

Once again it was a great narrative game and even better getting a decisive win. Thanks again to Alan and Tom (who also supplied all the terrain).

Percy's First Big One.

Today in the fields of England's green and pleasant land the armies of the one true King Henry VI and those of the Yorkist Usurper - Edward IV, met in battle to debate good and rightful kingship and acts of vile Yorkist treachery.

Today at NWA Tom, Alan and I played another game of Never Mind The Billhooks. It was another game of brutal combat, unexpected surprises and, as previously mentioned, Yorkist treachery! Alan played Edward IV and Tom played Richard Neville: Earl of Warwick & Lord Falkenberg. Once again I played Lancastrians: Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland in command with the Duke of Exeter, Owen Tudor and Lord Roos. This is the first time I've used my Percy in anger.

I deployed Exeter on the left, Tudor in the centre Northumberland on the right behind Roos's Heavy Horse. Queen Mary was picnicking with Buckingham in the forest waiting for the battle to commence.

King Edward placed his cavalry on his left, opposite Roos and took his own position next to them. Warwick took the centre and Falkenberg the Yorkist right beside a stream and behind a small copse of trees.

The armies began to manoeuvre with Tudor advancing in the centre and Exeter lining some hedges. Edward and Warwick both advanced towards Exeter but where was Falkenberg?

Covered by the small woods, Falkenberg forded the stream and advanced towards the bridge. The only Lancastrian troops on that side of the stream were some mercenary crossbowmen.

The Manoeuvre Phase ended when Warwick's archers targeted Exeter's archers and the arrows started to fly from both sides.

"Be bold and advance!" cried Lord Roos. But then he noticed the Yorkist crossbows and advanced with less boldness.

However, as fate would have it the crossbows advanced in an effort to bring down some of the Lancastrian cavalry. This tactic failed and enabled Roos to catch the crossbows flatfooted. The knights ran right through the skirmishers killing all of them and running straight into Edward's block of bill and bow.

The commander of the Yorkist heavy horse saw an opportunity for fame and glory. He charged past the Lancastrian horse and straight at Lord Percy's foot knight.

As the Queen looked on, Percy's knights faced down Edward's mounted knights and cut down horse and man in a brutal, one sided fight which saw the Kings' knights destroyed and the unidentified commander driven from the field to face the wrath of his king.

The battle was looking good on the Lancastrian right wing.

On the left wing, Falkenberg was manoeuvring his troops to try an assault over the bridge. Exeters men-at-arms awaited them.

In the centre Tudor advanced with his Welsh archers to the fore and an intimidating block of French mercenary pike behind. The Welsh were targeted by the archers of both Warwick and Edward as well and a cannon. But they screened the pike and when the time was right Owen Tudor lead the intact French pike into Edward's troops. 

The King's troops were now under pressure from both Tudor's pike and Roos' heavy cavalry.

The remnants of Edward's billmen were driven back through their supporting archers but eh Tudor pressed the attack. Edward, the Yorkist usurper, escaped without injury but stayed with his beleaguered men.

Roos didn't fare well. Behind the archers they initially charged were foot knights. Not the expected billmen. They took hard casualties and Roos was killed but they stayed in the fight and kept up the pressure on the Yorkists.

Thinking that Roos was about to breakthrough Edward's flank and seeing the threat to Exeter, Lord Percy changed the line of his advance and marched straight at Warwick. If Edward could be driven back and Neville with him this day would lead to a grand Lancastrian victory!

On the left flank Exeter expected his men-at-arms to sell their lives dearly for the crossing of the bridge. But they didn't. They took light casualties (3 from 12) and lost the combat by a very small margin (1). They took a Moral Crisis Test... And ran like a pack of whipped curs (rolled a 3 on 2d6). Exeter's archers were also wiped out by Warwick's archers and skirmishers (although they stood until only 1 man remained and he even killed one more of Warwick men with a well placed arrow.).

In the centre Tudor's pike continued to push and destroyed Edward's bill and bow but failed (three times) to get the King who escaped and joined his other block of troops now that the Lancastrian Horse had fled the field. Northumberland's archers poured several arrow storms into Warwick's men and caused plenty of pain until such time as his foot knights could take the lead.

Meanwhile Falkenberg charged into Exeter again. They won the fight but this time, with the Duke leading them directly they stood their ground even though they took heavy casualties. 

Tudor managed to halt his troops and turn them around but a "bonus card" played by Warwick prevented them from being able to charge his flank and he took advantage of this to charge Percy before he could reinforce his knights with his billmen. The Percy's took hard casualties and those remaining fled.

The possibility of victory was slowly turning into the certainly of defeat.

As darkness fell (time to get going) a final melee took place. Warwick's knights charged the Percy bill and bow. The archers took aim and killed 3 foot knight and the ensuing combat saw another two killed. Unfortunately the archers themselves were also wiped out.

Seeing the turn of battle it was time for Queen Margret to vacate the field and seek safe lodgings.

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Once again it was a really entertaining game. This is my fourth game now and I'm really enjoying it. We're getting much more out of the rules and understanding them a whole lot better so that the games are flowing really well. There are always unexpected events and results. Just when you think you've got victory in the bag something comes along to thwart your plans (well at least my plans keep getting thwarted!).

Thanks to Tom and Alan for a really great game. I look forward to the next one. 

P.S. Alan is a man with an uncanny ability to roll more 6's in one game than I have rolled in my entire wargaming life!!!  (Or so it seems to my poor troops).