Monday 4 December 2017

Battle of Marston Moor 1644.

As we have been invited to take part in Charlie Wesencraft's group Christmas game(refighting Marston Moor) next Saturday,I thought I would re-fight this battle to see what we are letting ourselves into by way of tactics,weapons,personalities etc. and, as a bonus, Charlie came along to observe and comment!!


This is the table before any movement-the Royalists on the left,Parliamentarians on the right.
Paul was Cromwell,Dave was Fairfax(for the parliamentarians) whilst Brian was Rupert and Graham was Goring.(for the royalists)

Both Brian and Paul have launched their cavalry at each other in the opening move!!

At the same time,on the other flank,Graham and Dave have done the same thing-tremendous looking stuff!!!
In the centre,the whole of the Parliamentarian infantry are advancing and driving the royalist dragoons and musketeers way from the ditch/hedge.

To counter this push,Brian has advanced his infantry,and a fire-fight ensued! To the left of this shot you can see the cavalry battle raging ,both sides feeding in units when and where needed!!

A close up of the cavalry battle-very tightly fought,but Brian hit a bad spell of very low dice scores,and gradually he was pushed back-historically correct,but infuriating for Brian!!

Brian is being pushed back,what he needs is the reserve cavalry to help him out-where are they?-well,Graham had decided to take them over to his flank(which was winning!!) to bolster his troops!!-nothing was said,of course, Brian is too much of  a gentleman for that!!!

The infantry battle is looming,as both side contest the ditch/hedge line-Graham looks as though he is deciding where to employ the reserve cavalry!!

Dave is throwing some diabolical dice,and Graham is pushing him back-as per history!-the reserve cavalry can just be seen,in column,in the background-it's a good job Brian doesn't need them(???!!!)

The royalist infantry are being driven back towards White Sike Close,and the parliamentarian commanders are looking "smug"-just out of shot to the right,the royalist cavalry are soundly beaten,and retiring(it's good being retired!)-history is repeating itself!

Brian's last cavalry unit is being surrounded,and the game is over-Graham has won with his cavalry,but the centre is lost ,and an historical result has been achieved-well done to everyone.
This time of the year is for rejoicing,being happy and looking forward to enjoying good food,good company,gifts etc. etc.-the whole season is probably epitomised in this photograph......

BAH HUMBUG!!!!!!!!!!!
Roll on next Saturday,when we will,once again take to the fields of Marston Moor,at Charlie's club.
























































10 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hi MSFOY-sorry I inadvertantly deleted your comment-in reply,charlie will have the dreaded Scots on the table,and will probably win the day!
      Thanks for comment,
      johnc

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  2. One of my favourite ECW battles. You lucky so and so's. Enjoy the experience and look after Brian he clearly needs some wit and good humour to cheer him up. I am not sure who will provide that through.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Cheers Robbie,I also like this battle,not so much for the tactics etc. but for the personalities involved-as for Brian,he keeps us all amused with his anecdotes,swearing and "windage"!!!!
      johnc

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  3. Great looking game and result (hooray for Parliament). Glad to see your club getting into the festive spirit Cromwell approved of.
    cheers
    Mike

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    Replies
    1. Hi MIke,good to hear from you-do I detect a hint of "Republicanism" in your comment??(me too!)-this was agood game,and of course an historical result.
      keep the comments coming,
      johnc

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  4. Great job, John. A pivotal battle refought successfully. I used to live in Tockwith and it's cool that some parts of the battlefield survive, the ditch, White Syke Close and the 'main' road to/from York
    Cheers
    Chris

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    Replies
    1. Hi Chris,I used to have a customer who lived in Tockwith,and always took the opportunity to visit the battlefield,when selling to him-well,it's better than working!!
      johnc

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  5. Great looking battle! Well done!

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    1. Hi Doug-it's always difficult recreating actual battles,but we enjoyed this one,and judging by the result,we got it right!
      Keep the comments coming.
      johnc(william)

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