Midgard Heroic Battles: The Battle of Wakefield

At Parizan in October we bumped in to chum Chris who we'd not seen much of since he hosted us for a very jolly ECW game last December. He revealed he was in a bit of a "hobby funk" and so after a bit of a chat we hatched a plan for a pre-Christmas Midgard War of the Roses game (Chris' first love is WotR and he contributed a heap of figures for our Mortimers Cross game). Nearest big battle to the day we could convene was the Battle of Wakefield which took place on December 30th so we decided that's what we'd re-fight.

I cobbled together a scenario, based on the Freezywater Battles book and a looking at the fantastic scenario and lists from Eric the Shed's refight using Hail Caesar Rules.  

The Lancastrians would deploy a smaller force in front of the castle, which we assumed was a trap to lure Richard of York from the security of the castle. Reinforcements would arrive on the flanks in turns two and three. This would give the forces of Lancaster overwhelming numbers, however to guarantee victory they'd need to gain vengeance on the Yorkist commanders and prevent York's son from escaping the slaughter.  The Lancastrians would gain extra Reputation for killing York and Salisbury, whilst York could salvage additional Reputation if his son Rutland could ride away to Wakefield. As the notorious coward Wiltshire was present we came up with a special Trait that made him reluctant to get involved and "Butcher" Clifford also had a unique trait making it more likely he'd kill an opposing leader.

Reports of the battle make no mention of snow, but it took place in December and James has a lovely snow mat and we had some wintry trees so why not?

 

The small Lancastrian force taunts York to attack.

York wastes no time in advancing to meet them.

Margaret of Anjou looks on, bottom right. (In reality she was in Scotland at the time, but "print the legend" and all that).

The Blue and White Lancastrian forces unleash their arrow storm.

York's men return with interest.

With little time to waste York orders the advance.

Though some of his flank holds back.

With loud cries Wiltshire's men emerge from the woodland, though they make slow going - the effect of the woods, or their leader not urging them on?

Somerset's men prepare to meet the Yorkist attack.

Clifford's archers continue to shoot.

The Yorkist left hasn't yet responded to the sudden arrival to their flank.

Worse news for the house of York as Roos arrives with Lancastrian horse.

Rutland, held in reserve, finds his way to Wakefield blocked.

York urges his men to close with the enemy.

The view from the castle walls.

Still the lines remain apart.

Though the cavalry are closing the gap.

Clifford taunts his foe.

Finally the Yorkist left reacts to Butler's arrival.

Somerset leads the way.

Butler has his men make complicated manoeuvres that fail to bring them closer to the foe for some reason.

Finally men charge home.

Roos leads the charge.

York likewise takes his men into the heart of the Lancastrian line.

The combat is fierce and bloody.

No quarter shown on either side.

The Yorkist right is under pressure, but Roos' men are taking casualties too.

In the centre York is cutting his way through the Lancastrian lines.

On the Lancastrian right Exeter has seized the initiative and is cutting down Yorkists.

Butler himself seems happy to let Exeter take the glory (and the risks)

The press of bill in the middle/

York's men try to stem Roos' charge.

Rutland charges home in an attempt to cut his way to Wakefield.

Men at Arms are too much for mere billmen to cope with.

The cavalry battle is joined.

York is punching through in the centre.

Elsewhere however the Yorkist forces are overwhelmed by the weight of Lancastrian numbers.

At the point the Yorkist reputation ran out and Lancaster could claim the field.

For those of you seeking modern day, hi-tech thrills here's a video version of the game.

What a great game that played out a historical result but never felt like a complete walkover for the Red Roses. Rutland should maybe have had more cavalry and a few extra Reputation in the Yorkist pot at the start would have made it even closer and maybe a little fairer, but the scenario seemed to work really well.

The most important thing though was a great day of gaming with great company. We've plans to do it again in February - St Albans may be the refight...