Irish vs Vikings.

Last night,after a delay of weeks due to bad weather,illness and lots of Rum(!) we had a game involving Brian's newly painted Dark Age Irish against my Vikings,and what an interesting game it turned out to be.

Opening moves-with Brian's instructions,the Irish moved at what could only be called "Zulu Rate!! and were onto the Vikings before they could form a shield wall!!-this was going to be short and bloody!!-Paul commanded the right of the Vikings,I commanded the left,whilst Dave and Graham commanded the Irish.

Paul was immediately attacked by Graham holding the Irish left,while I desperately tried to form a shield wall,but I was being "peppered" by arrows and threatened by wild hairy(?) Irishmen armed with all manner of weapons-what more could Dave throw at me????

Bloody hell!!-who let the dogs out,woof,woof,woof!!!-somebody yelled SIT! but the Vikings mis-heard and promptly S--T themselves!!

Two shots of Paul and Graham's tussle-the fights went on for most of the game,neither side really gaining an advantage.

Two shots of  my flank,with Dave piling the pressure on,only the intervention of my CinC saved the day,and \I actually killed Dave's commander,but his troops mustn't have liked him much,because they didn't run away,and continued the fight!!

Now that's more like it-the Vikings have formed a good line,and with Paul eventually winning on his flank,the outcome is in no doubt-a Viking victory!!

One last shot,showing the state of play-a good game,although a bit more research to be done on how the Irish actually fought,and how good they were at organising themselves-over to you Brian!!-we won't be playing next Sunday as York show is on,and there's money to be spent!!

 

1020AD

Sunday night saw a full complement fighting a rather savage Vikings vs Saxons game.

Top photo is scenario,bottom is table lay-out. Brian and Graham were the Vikings,whilst Dave and Paul were the Saxons-I sat this one out,and acted as referee.

Graham's right flank Vikings advance on the town held by Dave.-The viking high command was given information that the archers they had could be treated as normal infantry,and not just skirmishers,because they had a shield,armour and a sword-however they chose to ignore(ie not read!) the info given,and so lost a great opportunity!!!(why do I bother?)

Dave's shield wall-come and get it Vikings!!

The protagonists!-Brian,that's not your best side!!

What's happening?? Both Paul and Brian are moving towards each other! Paul had decided to break his shield wall and take the fight to the Vikings!(note both sides are skirmishing with their archers in front). meanwhile on Graham and Dave's flank,a most vicious melee has broken out........................

Graham has tried to force the pass,but has been met by Dave's Housecarls,wielding their big choppers(now,now,I meant axes!!)-the result was a resounding defeat for the Vikings,forcing them back!!,However,Graham also put in an attack on the Town..........................

Which was also met by Dave's Housecarls wielding their big choppers(axes!), with the same result!!

Dave's troops have driven the Vikings back!! But what of Paul and Brian? are they standing about being indolent? Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

Paul has retired(it's good being retired!) back to the town and reformed his shield wall,Brian has pressed on up the hill,and a grand melee is developing-great stuff!

After some early success,Brian suffered a morale "situation" that required him to put his "main man" into the fray,to hold off a retirement(no,I refuse to say it!),and of course,got him killed!! which meant that his whole command had to take a morale test-and they failed it,and off they ran,back to Denmark!! With both flanks held and both towns intact,the Saxons were declared the winners-hurrah!!
Well done boys,and roll on next week-I feel a sea shanty coming on!!

Battle of Uxbridge 1070AD.

Last night saw the "Fab Four" (Dave couldn't make it!) fight this tense and interesting game,pitting Vikings/Saxons against Normans.

This is the scenario-Paul and I were the Saxon/Viking commanders,whilst Brian and Graham were the Normans...............I had planned a couple of options available to each side...........

As Saxon commander,I chose to take my option of losing a heavy infantry unit,but gaining two lengths of "stakes" to protect my left flank-this worked a treat!!
Graham,as Norman vanguard,decided not to take up his option,of losing a heavy cavalry unit for a light skirmish cavalry unit,but Brian did take up his option and lost a heavy cavalry unit for a mercenary Viking infantry one.

Brian is contemplating his moves-most of his infantry were light,and would be at a dis-advantage against the Vikings in the first round of melee,so he had to tread carefully!

The dreaded stakes,preventing Graham's cavalry from gaining the flank!-I've just thought of a title for a new film-Stakes on a plain!!(groan!!)

Paul is moving his Vikings against Brian's combination of cavalry and light infantry on our right flank.

With his cavalry thwarted by the stakes,Graham is moving his infantry against the town,and the centre-this looked spectacular!!

The inevitable clashes in the centre and right flank-both Paul and I had ordered our troops to form a "shield wall" which was effective,making the Normans fight at -1 from their dice throws.
Brian actually did quite well against the heavier Vikings,but then the "demon dice thrower known as PAUL, started to throw high and killed officer after officer,and the Normans under Brian's control started to retire(it's good being retired!)
However in the centre(under my control) wasn't doing too well-well now there's a surprise!!

Graham's attack against the town,saw him gaining ground against my Saxons,but I reinforced the town troops and began to push him back-hurrah!!

Top photo shows Paul's domination of the flank,with Brian in full retreat,bottom photo shows the Normans in the centre also going backwards!!
Graham then "double-guessed" my out-flanking move,through the stakes,and charged my heavy infantry as they formed up!!!.....................

This was a hollow victory for the cavalry,as the town was still in Saxon hands,and the centre and right was in Viking hands,and a victory was declared for the Saxon/Vikings-hurrah!!
Once again,a great game,long may they continue!
Roll on next Sunday,probably a Marlburian battle.

The "new look" me-handsome and distinguished-actually I just can't be arsed to get a shave!!!
Roll on next week.

Battle of Bamburgh 1090AD

Last night we had a full turn-out for this fascinating game of two halves!!

This is the scenario and initial troop dispositions-Graham and Dave were the Saxon and Viking commanders whilst Brian and Paul were the Normans-all was set for a classic attack/defence game.

Top photo shows Graham's attack,by the Fyrd, against Paul's troops in the village,bottom shows Dave's attack on Brian's troops coming out of the castle-colourful stuff!

The Fyrd are in the village,but the Normans are fighting back!-in the background you can see Paul's reserves taking up their positions,awaiting the Huscarls advance-this was tense wargaming,at its best.

On the other flank,there was a tremendous tussle going on,first Dave was winning,then Brian was winning,each side reinforcing where necessary-what a game!!

Back at he village-it was "Hokey Cokey" wargaming(in,out,in,out,shake it all about!!!)
The Saxon Huscarls and Norman reserves are about to slug it out-Paul's magnificent defence was matched by Graham's tenacity.

This shot,taken from behind the village,shows the state of play towards the end of the game-although heavily out-numbered,the Normans are holding on-just!!!

Even with the intervention of the Cavalry,Brian's line is being broken up by successive Viking attacks,and is about to collapse-this could spell the end for Norman occupation in Northern Britain!!

Yes,despite Paul's defensive posture,it was all over-the village was in Saxon hands,and the castle was about to be entered by Viking hordes-a "cracking" game full of "nip and tuck" wargaming,good banter,very bad language and lots of wind!!(in the Viking sails of course!)
On Friday we start our annual invasion of Scottish hospitality,by putting on a game at Carronade(Falkirk)-we are all of an age when we don't really get excited about anything,but this three day trip gives us a chance to let our hair down(what hair??) have a good wargame in congenial company,meet new and existing friends,and encourage the general public to participate in our wonderful hobby-a full report will follow next Monday.