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.