Tarifa 1340 AD

[ZeaBed]

This large battle near the Strait of Gibraltar was the decisive event in the conflict between the Christians and the Nasrid-Marinid forces over the Strait of Gibraltar in southern Spain.

15 April 2015- Updated to version 3.0.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/405 ... 20v3.0.zip

Thanks to the Spanish and Arab chronicles and other accounts (including a detailed eyewitness narrative by Bishop Gil de Albornoz, who was a participant), this is the best documented historical battle that I've yet researched. These sources are all in Spanish. The Spanish wikipedia version of the battle includes the entire Christian OOB and names the head of each battle group. The English wikipedia version is sketchy and unreliable by comparison, imo.

It's really amazing how many detailed accounts of this battle are now available on the internet. A good thing, for this is a large and fairly complicated terrain to map. A Spanish language National Geographic account includes a beautiful medieval painting of the battle. These are just a few of the available sources online.

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batalla_del_Salado

http://www.aytotarifa.com/cultura/aljar ... salado.pdf

http://www.tarifaweb.com/aljaranda/num58/art2.htm

Correction: Deleted the "Aragonese archers" which I had erroneously selected and replaced them with "Aragonese crossbows" as intended.

[Turk1964]

Gday Zeabed
Ive just downloaded this one and it looks very interesting. I have put up a paired game challange if you like to have a game.
Password= Turk

Cheers Turk

[ZeaBed]

The National Geographic image actually depicts a slightly earlier battle, but gives a good 'vibe' regarding the Reconquest in Spain.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/ar ... #gallery-0

Edit: BTW, this also gives a fairly good idea of what a 'tropel' (en masse) assault must have looked (and felt) like.

[ZeaBed]

Gday Zeabed
Ive just downloaded this one and it looks very interesting. I have put up a paired game challange if you like to have a game.
Password= Turk

Cheers Turk

Thank you Turk. I have a slow wireless modem connection and it keeps me away from any 'challenging' bandwith adventures. I've been meaning to upgrade but really never got around to it. Also, the area in which I live is iffy regarding most speedy internet connections, but I'm still looking. I usually play in the computer itself with friends and relatives.

[Turk1964]

Thats ok mate i will leave the challange there if anyone else would like a game. I will put an open challange on the gameboard aswell.

Cheers Turk

[ZeaBed]

Thats ok mate i will leave the challange there if anyone else would like a game. I will put an open challange on the gameboard aswell.

Cheers Turk

Very good, Turk. If someone answers the challenge please do provide me with any feedback and insights you consider useful.

[ZeaBed]

I'm not into gameboard modeling (life is too short) but I do admire some nice figurines (no pun intended). As I was ransacking the internet searching for information on the Battle of Tarifa, I came across the following webpage. This toy store has some nice statuettes. The Knight of Santiago depicted in it is described as a soldier in that battle, although his helmet seems to be from a much earlier era and he is on foot. The Order of Santiago, who played a crucial role in the battle, were all mounted. This one must have been thrown from his horse. Maybe carrying a two handed sword made him lose balance. Oh but why cavil. It's a nice little statuette.

http://www.sierratoysoldier.com/ourstor ... -p8590.htm

[amenofi64]

Great scenario, thanks. Played as Christian army, very fun.

[Micha63]

Thanks.

[ZeaBed]

Version 1.1 is available in the original post.

I was finally able to get sourcing on some of the components and secondary leaders in the Nasrid-Marinid army and some more detailed information on the battle map (which has been a challenge!) and the initial positions of the armies, particularly the curious formation chosen by King Alfonso.

When the French tried a similar approach in Crecy just six years later, they did not meet with comparable success. They forgot that Alfonso's men were facing cavalry and spearmen, not longbowmen with stakes and dismounted knights on prepared ground. Also, the Castilians were not as disorganized and chaotic as the French attacks at Crecy. Apples and oranges I guess.

Along with the game files I included a MS Word document inside the zip file, with some information on the battle and this particular scenario version.

[ZeaBed]

Version 1.2 now linked in the original post.

[ZeaBed]

Version 2.0 now downloadable from link in the top post.

[ZeaBed]

Version 2.1 now downloadable in the original post. Changes are explained in the scenario description box.

[ZeaBed]

Version 3.0 downloadable with the dropbox link in the original post. I corrected an error with the Moroccan swordsmen (they had spears instead), and minor terrain and cosmetic changes.