Just played a fun game set in Medieval Spain. The scenario comprised a column of Christian soldiers moving through the countryside. Unknown to them, a local Emir had planned a surprise attack. For game purposes, I wanted to use nearly all my Saracen collection, while the Christians would throw dice to determine their number and composition. As it turned out, the dice gave a strength of 70 figures, nearly the same as the Moors!
Looking at the scenario, I thought it somewhat one-sided, but dice were used to place the Moorish units, and a fair number of their army comprised poor quality civic levy (town militia).
MOVE ONE. As soon as the column began to cross the bridge the signal to attack was given by fire arrows. The Moorish archers did their work, three mounted knights were taken down. Their saving throws having failed.
MOVE TWO. The Moors declared several charges, and their resolve was good. Those charged had to now test their resolve, and they held too, including the ordinary archers. While the mounted knights had to suffer the impact of a charge, they had time to face the enemy, and in the following melee inflicted two casualties to the loss of only one of their own. There was a lot going on in this move, and the results saw four Moorish units break and run!
MOVE THREE. SHOCK AND HORROR! The Moorish cavalry charged the Red/White Retinue, while they attempted to also charge. They broke, and subsequent morale tests on nearby units of equal or less ratings saw four other Christian units scatter, in a state of panic. This left only the tail of the column still operating, even the mounted knights had gone off in pursuit of a routing Moorish unit, but did inflict four casualties in the subsequent melee.
MOVE FOUR salvaged the day for the Christians. Having saved their quarrels, a contingent of crossbowmen, and two archers, formed up and let loose on the advancing Moorish cavalry, bringing down one. At half strength, the Moorish cavalry were forced to test their morale, it held, but they were no longer willing to advance on the infidels. The Christian knights had also ceased their pursuit and faced about. On MOVE FIVE, The Christian cavalry now declared their own charge, it scattered two Moorish foot units. The situation had now been reversed.
The bowmen let loose.
The final charge?
Not quite the final charge, on MOVE FIVE the mounted knights charged again the now routing party of Moors, and inflicted five casualties for no loss to themselves. While this was going on, the Christian commander also rallied a small unit of archers. This action was over.
The Emir contemplates his near victory!
BATTLE RETURNS
I very much enjoyed this game, and lasting just over an hour to conclude was full of pace. This was also my first game involving the 54mm Saracen/Moorish/Ottoman army.
MGB
Interesting to see 54mm Medievals on the tabletop .
ReplyDeleteHi Tony, its been a really nice change playing a couple of Medieval games recently. But this was my first game to utilise my 54mm Saracens, so particularly interesting.
DeleteMichael
Great pics of what looks like a fantastic game! Lovely figures and scenery (esp. the windmill!)
ReplyDeleteCheers MJT, the windmill was made from a hard card/tin lined cylinder. Knew it could be a useful container, then I saw others using windmills and had to have one in my collection.
DeleteMichael
Amazing how you're paint job has transformed those Deetail Saracens into a feast of color. Do you do anything to prep the figures before painting them or do you go straight onto the plastic?
ReplyDeleteCheers John, as it happens, I have always given my figures a prime with matt grey...... with one exception. The Deetail Saracens were all very old, and had lost anything in their production which might have rejected paintwork. So I didn't bother priming, the dry, black figures took the paint perfectly. Do remember, all my 54mm are given yacht varnish, which is very strong. And I replace most of their plastic weapons with my own pewter castings.
DeleteMichael
What a beautiful game indeed Michael! And a very exciting game too! Your table really gives a feel of what all the colors and uniforms might have looked like in a Medieval battle! And John is right, your excellent painting skills bring your Deetail figures to new heights of toy soldier splendor!
ReplyDeleteThank you Brad, rather lazily, I couldn't be bothered to clear the full table, so reverted to my original table size 6' x 4'. And it worked fine! Must mention, I really did enjoy the game, and the likely outcome switched several times!
DeleteMichael