Turn Four of the Wars of the Roses Battle.

After a major mistake in turn three, in which a unit of light cavalry, not only wiped out a unit of heavy mounted knights, they also gave pursuit and killed Richard III! I had missed a line in the rules that stated 'light cavalry can only attack skirmisher units to the front', so the brave charge was actually illegal and as such Richard and his knights live to fight again.

So the position at the end of the turn.

The Lancastrian light cavalry have maneuvered in front of their spear men. 

Looking down the table, Lancastrian foot knights are in melee in the centre as are bill men on the far right flank.

More foot knights are advancing on the Yorkists in the centre.

The heavy mounted knights with their respective kings attached are jostling for position in the coming fight.

This unit of Lancastrian archers have already inflicted three kills on the Yorkist spear men, one more casualty and they will rout!

Foot knights in melee in the centre, with help rushing forward.

On the other flank bill men exchange pleasantries!

Another Lancastrian unit of bill men are attempting to close to assist.

This unit of Lancastrian foot knights have routed.

So the battle rages on, the Yorkists on the ridge look as strong as ever, but casualties on both sides are taking their toll.

A resurrected project.

When I first got back into the model soldier painting and wargaming hobby after close to 50 years away from it. I didn't realise how much the hobby had changed. My initial purchases when returning of course were the 1/72nd scale of my youth. A lot more pricey now! I used to get them for two shillings a box (10p).

I hadn't really considered wargaming at that time and was really just wanting to paint up some troops for fun and relaxation. One of the periods that has always interested me greatly was the Hundred Years War, though to be honest all Medieval periods float my boat. With access to the internet, I was able to browse the now huge range of 1/72nd scale figures, it seemed any era was now possible, even obscure conflicts I had barely heard of.

I ordered a number of boxes with the HYW in mind and at the same time bought a Miniart Castle and Fortress, the idea being to combine the kits to make a bespoke castle. Along with them were a battering ram and other siege equipment, though I was unable to get my hands on a Zvezda siege tower for this period. I must look again for one of them.

I had been painting up some Napoleonic's in the same scale and fancied a change was the main reason. I already had some Crusaders and Saracens painted up, and some Greeks and Persians, this project would fill a gap in my armies.

I did paint up a few English archers, foot soldiers and mounted knights, but then I was attracted to new shiny things, not only that, but a new scale too. I discovered 28mm and was immediately hooked and a new journey began. The HYW project shelved for future times and the whole lot boxed up and forgotten.

My goal this year is not to buy any new shiny soldiers, but to complete everything that I have already. Part of that of course is my stash of 1/72nd scale figures. I am currently coming to the end of my current project, 28mm Wars of the Roses, the last box of figures are currently on the painting board. I was going to return to completing my 28mm English Civil War armies, as I have the Irish and Scottish contingents still to assemble and paint. However, I have also been playing with two sets of rules that I am thoroughly enjoying, namely Lion Rampant and Sword and Spear, both perfect in their own way for the games I want to play.

So of the numerous boxes of 1/72 I have selected the ones relating to the HYW as of course I can use those two rule sets with them. A change of scale will also make a pleasant change too. So here are some photographs of the next project.

Two boxes each of Zvezda knights for either side. Miniart French knights and Burgundians.

Some boxes of infantry for both sides.

With the castle in mind, I had also bought some specialists.

A stand of English mounted knights.

Some close to completion, archers. (must sort out those mould lines)

Finally, some foot knights and men at arms.

So the next armies for the two rule sets are already in stock and awaiting a splash of paint. Add to that the building of the castle and I am in business for a few months to come.

Turn Three of the Wars of the Roses battle.

Some more photos of the Wars of the Roses battle being played using Sword and Spear rules. This is the position at the end of turn three. The Lancastrian foot knights strike into the Yorkist centre and the light cavalry of Henry engage in combat with Richard's heavy knights.

Looking along the Lancastrian lines, this is the second wave, making ready to advance under the watchful eyes of Henry.

The spear men on the Yorkist right flank await their turn as the Lancastrian foot knights crash into the Yorkist centre.

Lancastrian archers loose off against Yorkist spear men.

A melee in the centre with the Lancastrians suffering losses.

Bill men move up on the Lancastrian right flank.

At the very far end a cavalry melee resulted in the destruction of the Yorkist heavy mounted knights and in the pursuit, King Richard III was killed!

King Richard and his mounted knights are off the board.

Wars of the Roses battle using Sword & Spear rules.

Having a lot of fun learning and attempting to teach the rules on my You Tube channel, however, I have a few photos of the action at the end of Turns one and two.

The Yorkists are holding a ridge line in the centre and the Lancastrians are advancing to meet them.

King Richard with his mounted men at arms moves out onto the flank.

The Lancastrians have a unit of light horse leading King Henry and his mounted men at arms.

Lancastrian archers, spearmen and foot knights advance in good order.

On the other flank, bill men advance to attack the Yorkist line.

The Yorkists defend the ridge line.

End of Turn Two sees the bill men get ever closer and Yorkist spearmen step forward.

The other unit of bill men need to catch up!

Lancastrian light horse advance toward the flank of Richards mounted men at arms, whilst the Lancashire troops continue to advance.

Arrows rain down on the foot knights, but they survive without loss.

Yorkist foot knights taunt their foe.

Having a lot of fun with this set of rules, they are ideal for solo play.

Next battle turn and thoughts of Imagi-Nations

Managed to take more photos of the battle.

King Henry moves ever closer to King Richard.

On the other flank, foot knights, billmen and spear men jostle to join combat.

The two kings are still outside charge range.

The Yorkist battle line prepares to meet the advancing Lancastrians.

Crossbowmen climb the ridge to replace the hotheaded foot knights who charged toward the enemy.

The next turn should witness the forces collide.

The Lancastrian advance.

Archers have already taken a toll of the most advanced unit of foot knights

Overall view of the table at the end of the turn.

With excellent articles in the February 2016 issue of Wargames Illustrated, on Imagi-Nations, plus wars that never were also. I began thinking about my own WotR campaign game. I am actually well down the route of an imaginary country already! I have fictitious leaders and towns and an abstract map. Why not go the whole hog and create a country of my own, based on Medieval England at the time of the Wars of the Roses? 

With that thought in mind, I have begun to write a narrative, which like my English Civil War diary, will be driven by the events on the table top. Just the early stages yet, but when I have the first chapter completed, I shall post it to the blog.

Wars of the Roses battle - Using Sword and Spear rules.

Finally began playing a full game of S&S, previously I had fought minor skirmishes between different unit types to get used to the game mechanics. Happy with how that turned out I laid out the table and chose two forces for a proper battle. The Yorkist force under King Richard III had one extra unit of troops (11 opposing 10), but the Lancastrian force commanded by Henry actually had a higher points value.

Part of the table looking along the Yorkist line on the ridge.

The Yorkist left flank is anchored beside a walled field. The Lancastrians are advancing all along the line.

On the other flank, Richards mounted knights face off against Henry's mounted knights, however, the latter also has a unit of light horse backing him up.

Looking along at the Lancastrian troops advancing.

Some shots from troop eye level taken from the Lancastrian lines.

The Yorkists hold a ridge line in the centre.

Lancastrian foot knights and archers advance.

A Lancastrian captain encourages his men forward.

Yorkist archers let fly a volley of arrows.

All the photographs were taken at the end of turn two and it is proving to be a very enjoyable game. I have made some errors in placement of troops that meant some dice were wasted, so a learning curve too. The game certainly punishes a poor commander! Does it give the flavour of the period? I certainly think so, and it really does make you think all the time. I am playing solo but even in a two player game, the reactive player cannot just sit back and relax whilst his opponent moves. No periods of inactivity for either player in this rule set!

Well, I am off to play a few more turns, I will of course give a full account in a later post, with lots of photographs too.