War of the Roses - Seige of Shrewsbury
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:06 am
Meta-Scenario Story
I played my first FoG game and reported that on the forums here:
viewtopic.php?t=14473
My intention was to try out these new fangled rules and see if they suited. Well they did indeed suit me. In the playing the game I decided to send reports to my nephew and, as it turned out, also my niece. They enjoyed these reports very much, but it wasn’t until I took the game down that I realized how much they enjoyed it and that they wanted to see the game. Ooops! Well that immediately led to another game, which I decided would follow the fortunes of my fictitious Richard and Henry. My inspiration was taken, again, from one of Charles Grant’s books, Scenarios for Wargamers. The chosen scenario was on page 81 and it was called, “Convoy (1) – Wagon Train”, which I thought would appeal to my nephew and niece.
The “Convoy (1) – Wagon Train” scenario is a straight forward one. The Red Force is besieging the Blue Force in a town or fort. The Blue Force has decided to send supplies with an armed guard. The Red Force has to stop Blue Force from resupplying the town.
The orders of battle are:
Army of Richard III
Richard III (Inspired Commander - at least “inspired” on that day)
4 Mounted Men-At-Arms
4 Heavily Armoured Dismounted Men-At-Arms
8 Retinue Archers
Northumberland (Troop Commander)
4 Currours
4 Superior, Armoured Billmen
8 Retinue Archers
Norfolk (Troop Commander)
4 Northern Border Spearmen
4 Northern Border Light Horse
8 Militia Bowmen
Total Points: 650
Army of Henry, Earl of Richmond
Henry (Inspired Commander - perhaps “desperate commander” would be more correct)
8 Retinue Archers
8 Retinue Archers
8 Stakes to cover archer’s front
Oxford (Troop Commander)
8 Welsh Archers
4 Average, Armoured Billmen
4 Currours
4 Stakes to cover archer’s front
Shrewsbury (Troop Commander)
4 Mounted Men-At-Arms
4 Heavily armoured, dismounted Men-At-Arms
4 Mercenary Crossbowmen
4 Mercenary Handgunners
2 Bombards
Total Points: 702
Deployment note: All of Shrewsbury’s men start in the town and cannot move until they see Henry’s troops arriving along either the West or East Road. Then Shrewsbury can sally out only with his Men-At-Arms. The Crossbowmen and Handgunners must remain in the town.
Terrain Note: It has been raining heavily which has increased the difficulty of the slopes from “open” to the next level of difficulty, “uneven”. “Damn”, declared the Northern Border infantry.
The Story – The Seige of Shrewsbury
Following this defeat at the Battle of Shrewsbury, Henry, Earl of Richmond, retreated back to his support base around the town of Shrewsbury (no relations there at all to the Earl of Shrewsbury) and in Wales.
Fig. 1: Henry’s retreat from Merevale Abbey to Shrewsbury and Wales
Meanwhile, Richard, reinforced by more troops from his supporters followed Henry and laid siege to the town of Shrewsbury and Henry’s garrison led by Shrewsbury (again – no relationship to anyone in the town – it’s a coincidence, honest!). As Richard was not strong enough to storm the town, he hoped to force the garrison to surrender through starvation. Naturally this wasn’t a plan that made Henry happy so Henry tried to sneak supplies into the town.
Henry’s plan didn’t work too well as Richard captured every wagon sent by Henry. As you can imagine, feeding Richard’s troops wasn’t a plan that made Henry happy either. So, Henry came up with yet another plan, which was to bring a large wagon train of supplies into the city with a very strong escort led by none other than himself. It didn’t occur to Henry to consider whether or not he was an asset or a liability to the plan.
Fig. 2: Deployment
Definitely not an asset to Henry was the deserter who informed Richard of Henry’s plan to relieve Shrewsbury (the town and the man). Well known for being an opportunist, Richard saw that there was as an opportunity to not only to foil Henry’s plans but to actually capture and kill his rival, Henry.
As Henry approached Shrewsbury he’d have two options, the easier West Road or the more rugged, due to the heavy rains, East Road. Richard decided to block the easier route and force Henry onto the more difficult route. Encumbered with his heavy laden supply wagons, Henry would have to take the slower East Road and this would give Richard enough time to surround and destroy Henry. Norfolk would wait to ambush Henry from the forests to the east of the East Road while Northumberland would come from the northwest to assist Norfolk and to block any aid that Shrewsbury might send from the besieged town. With Henry thus trapped, Norfolk and Northumberland would attack Henry’s van while Richard attacked the rear. [Just don’t go there folks!]
Fig. 3: Richard blocks the West Road
Fig. 4: Norfolk waits to ambush Henry on the East Road
Fig. 5: Henry’s relief column moving along the East Road
Fig. 6: View from Northumberland’s position
It pretty much went Richard’s way. Not wanting to take the change of his force becoming embroiled fighting Richard’s men, Henry did indeed take that East Road and marched into Richard’s trap. So far Henry wasn’t really showing that he was that much an “inspired” commander. With his English billmen and longbowmen, Henry headed off with the wagons, while Oxford guarded the rear from Richard. [Again, just don’t go there. You are better than that.]
Fig. 7: Turn 1 – Norfolk and Northumberland trap Henry
Fig. 8: View of Norfolk and Northumberland
Too late, since Henry failed to provide Shrewsbury with a signal, Shrewsbury sallied forth to Henry’s aid. Unfortunately, Northumberland’s troops were ready, but Shrewsbury’s troops were hungry and it is said that one must be hungry to win….or something like that.
Fig. 9: Shrewsbury and his hungry troops sally out to help Henry
At the rearguard of Henry’s supply column, the Welsh found that they were quite good at adding up numbers and the tallies weren’t coming out to their liking.
Fig. 10: Oxford’s Welshmen wonder how long they can delay Richard
With his forces all in place according to his plan, Richard’s troops attacked…..everywhere. Hmmmm….not really that inspired either.
Fig. 11: Turn 2 – Henry is in trouble as Richard attacks everywhere
However, Richard forgot one thing…..the same terrain that would slow Henry’s troops would hinder Richard’s troops and Norfolk’s Northern Border spearmen weren’t finding this much to their liking. Fortunately, Northumberland’s billmen had gained the top of the slope and were in a fine position to attack Henry’s archers in the flank.
Fig. 12: Norfolk and Northumberland attacking Henry’s vanguard
Meanwhile, Shrewsbury had to decide between satisfying his hunger and the possibility of an early grave.
Fig. 13: Stand-off between Shrewsbury and Northumberland
The troops at the rear of Henry’s column had no such option as the fighting there was heavy and the Welshmen were finding their tallies being steadily recalculated in the enemy’s favour.
Fig. 14: Heavy fighting at the rear
Fig. 15: The height of the battle
Unexpectedly, Henry’s force didn’t collapse. While Richard recalculated the Welsh tallies to include no Welshmen, Oxford evened the score by emptying a few saddles of Richard’s supporters. At the front, things were also in the balance. While not being an inspiration at planning, Henry rushed to front to bolster his archers. This didn’t please the Northern Border spearmen who were already not happy with the mud; and they promptly routed, which rather shook up the rest of Norfolk’s troops. On the other hand none of this fazed Northumberland’s billmen as they set about hacking and separating the heads, arms and legs of Henry’s archers. But still Henry’s archers withstood the onslaught….
The Billman cut off the Archer’s left arm.
Billman: Now stand aside, worthy adversary.
Archer: 'Tis but a scratch.
Billman: A scratch? Your left arm’s off!
Archer: No, it isn't.
Billman: Well, what's that then?
Archer: I've had worse.
Billman: You liar!
Archer: Come on you pansy!
The Billman cuts off the Archer's right arm.
Archer: Come on then.
Billman: What?
Archer: Have at you!
Billman: You are indeed brave, Sir Archer, but the fight is mine.
Archer: Oh, had enough, eh?
Billman: Look, you stupid bastard, you've got no arms left.
Archer: Yes I have.
Billman: Look!
Archer: Just a flesh wound.
Billman: Look, stop that.
Archer: Chicken! Chicken!
Billman: Look, I'll have your leg. Right!
Billman cuts off the Archer’s leg.
Archer: Right, I'll do you for that!
Billman: You'll what?
Archer: Come 'ere!
Billman: What are you going to do, bleed on me?
Archer: I'm invincible!
Billman: You're a loony.
Archer: The Archers always triumph! Have at you! Come on then.
The Billman cuts off the Archer's other leg.
Billman: Victory is mine! We thank thee Lord, that in thy mercy...
Archer: All right; we'll call it a draw.
Billman: Come, Patsy.
Archer: Oh, oh, I see, running away then. You yellow bastard! Come back here and take what's coming to you. I'll bite your legs off!
Richard considered the lesson that planning and execution were two sides of one coin; and just who in Norfolk’s force needed that lesson in execution.
Fig. 16: Turn 3 – Henry hangs on while Shrewsbury is desperate to break through
Fig. 17: The Welsh have had enough but so have Richard’s knights – what’s left of them
Seeing Norfolk’s men waver, Shrewsbury decided that between dying of starvation or dying on the battlefield, the battlefield it was and led his men forward in a desperate charge.
Fig. 18: Norfolk is repulsed but Northumberland’s men continue to hack Henry’s longbowmen apart.
While it may not have been death on the battlefield for Shrewsbury, it was a good number of his men, but their savagery tore through Northumberland’s lines. The Northern Border Horse and the archer crumbled while the Northumberland’s cavalry were fragmented.
At the rear, Oxford continued to frustrate Richard, while he hurried reinforcements forward to Henry.
Fig. 19: Who will crack first?
Fig. 20: It looks like it will be Norfolk and Northumberland
Fig. 21: Oxford expertly delays Richard
Glorious victory for Northumberland’s billmen turned out to be short lived. Busily looting the wagons at the front of the supply column, they failed to notice the advance of Shrewsbury’s knights and Oxford’s infantry until it was too late. Hit from the flank and rear they shattered and fled in all directions. Richard had been defeated. With those men under his immediate command and a few archers under Norfolk, his army retired from the field of battle. But it had been a tough fight for Henry. His army was in no condition to pursue Richard and those men in Shrewsbury’s garrison that had not yet been engaged in combat were more content to just enjoy a good meal.
Both sides set about rebuilding their forces before they could decide who would be king.
Fig. 22: Turn 5 – End of the battle
Fig. 23: Aftermath – Shrewsbury’s men look forward to a good meal
Fig. 24: The battlefield today – preserve your heritage!
Thanks to madaxeman for posting the link to the Battlefield Chronicler software which I used to make the above maps. The softare is free and available here:
http://www.battlechronicler.com/index.html
I played my first FoG game and reported that on the forums here:
viewtopic.php?t=14473
My intention was to try out these new fangled rules and see if they suited. Well they did indeed suit me. In the playing the game I decided to send reports to my nephew and, as it turned out, also my niece. They enjoyed these reports very much, but it wasn’t until I took the game down that I realized how much they enjoyed it and that they wanted to see the game. Ooops! Well that immediately led to another game, which I decided would follow the fortunes of my fictitious Richard and Henry. My inspiration was taken, again, from one of Charles Grant’s books, Scenarios for Wargamers. The chosen scenario was on page 81 and it was called, “Convoy (1) – Wagon Train”, which I thought would appeal to my nephew and niece.
The “Convoy (1) – Wagon Train” scenario is a straight forward one. The Red Force is besieging the Blue Force in a town or fort. The Blue Force has decided to send supplies with an armed guard. The Red Force has to stop Blue Force from resupplying the town.
The orders of battle are:
Army of Richard III
Richard III (Inspired Commander - at least “inspired” on that day)
4 Mounted Men-At-Arms
4 Heavily Armoured Dismounted Men-At-Arms
8 Retinue Archers
Northumberland (Troop Commander)
4 Currours
4 Superior, Armoured Billmen
8 Retinue Archers
Norfolk (Troop Commander)
4 Northern Border Spearmen
4 Northern Border Light Horse
8 Militia Bowmen
Total Points: 650
Army of Henry, Earl of Richmond
Henry (Inspired Commander - perhaps “desperate commander” would be more correct)
8 Retinue Archers
8 Retinue Archers
8 Stakes to cover archer’s front
Oxford (Troop Commander)
8 Welsh Archers
4 Average, Armoured Billmen
4 Currours
4 Stakes to cover archer’s front
Shrewsbury (Troop Commander)
4 Mounted Men-At-Arms
4 Heavily armoured, dismounted Men-At-Arms
4 Mercenary Crossbowmen
4 Mercenary Handgunners
2 Bombards
Total Points: 702
Deployment note: All of Shrewsbury’s men start in the town and cannot move until they see Henry’s troops arriving along either the West or East Road. Then Shrewsbury can sally out only with his Men-At-Arms. The Crossbowmen and Handgunners must remain in the town.
Terrain Note: It has been raining heavily which has increased the difficulty of the slopes from “open” to the next level of difficulty, “uneven”. “Damn”, declared the Northern Border infantry.
The Story – The Seige of Shrewsbury
Following this defeat at the Battle of Shrewsbury, Henry, Earl of Richmond, retreated back to his support base around the town of Shrewsbury (no relations there at all to the Earl of Shrewsbury) and in Wales.
Fig. 1: Henry’s retreat from Merevale Abbey to Shrewsbury and Wales
Meanwhile, Richard, reinforced by more troops from his supporters followed Henry and laid siege to the town of Shrewsbury and Henry’s garrison led by Shrewsbury (again – no relationship to anyone in the town – it’s a coincidence, honest!). As Richard was not strong enough to storm the town, he hoped to force the garrison to surrender through starvation. Naturally this wasn’t a plan that made Henry happy so Henry tried to sneak supplies into the town.
Henry’s plan didn’t work too well as Richard captured every wagon sent by Henry. As you can imagine, feeding Richard’s troops wasn’t a plan that made Henry happy either. So, Henry came up with yet another plan, which was to bring a large wagon train of supplies into the city with a very strong escort led by none other than himself. It didn’t occur to Henry to consider whether or not he was an asset or a liability to the plan.
Fig. 2: Deployment
Definitely not an asset to Henry was the deserter who informed Richard of Henry’s plan to relieve Shrewsbury (the town and the man). Well known for being an opportunist, Richard saw that there was as an opportunity to not only to foil Henry’s plans but to actually capture and kill his rival, Henry.
As Henry approached Shrewsbury he’d have two options, the easier West Road or the more rugged, due to the heavy rains, East Road. Richard decided to block the easier route and force Henry onto the more difficult route. Encumbered with his heavy laden supply wagons, Henry would have to take the slower East Road and this would give Richard enough time to surround and destroy Henry. Norfolk would wait to ambush Henry from the forests to the east of the East Road while Northumberland would come from the northwest to assist Norfolk and to block any aid that Shrewsbury might send from the besieged town. With Henry thus trapped, Norfolk and Northumberland would attack Henry’s van while Richard attacked the rear. [Just don’t go there folks!]
Fig. 3: Richard blocks the West Road
Fig. 4: Norfolk waits to ambush Henry on the East Road
Fig. 5: Henry’s relief column moving along the East Road
Fig. 6: View from Northumberland’s position
It pretty much went Richard’s way. Not wanting to take the change of his force becoming embroiled fighting Richard’s men, Henry did indeed take that East Road and marched into Richard’s trap. So far Henry wasn’t really showing that he was that much an “inspired” commander. With his English billmen and longbowmen, Henry headed off with the wagons, while Oxford guarded the rear from Richard. [Again, just don’t go there. You are better than that.]
Fig. 7: Turn 1 – Norfolk and Northumberland trap Henry
Fig. 8: View of Norfolk and Northumberland
Too late, since Henry failed to provide Shrewsbury with a signal, Shrewsbury sallied forth to Henry’s aid. Unfortunately, Northumberland’s troops were ready, but Shrewsbury’s troops were hungry and it is said that one must be hungry to win….or something like that.
Fig. 9: Shrewsbury and his hungry troops sally out to help Henry
At the rearguard of Henry’s supply column, the Welsh found that they were quite good at adding up numbers and the tallies weren’t coming out to their liking.
Fig. 10: Oxford’s Welshmen wonder how long they can delay Richard
With his forces all in place according to his plan, Richard’s troops attacked…..everywhere. Hmmmm….not really that inspired either.
Fig. 11: Turn 2 – Henry is in trouble as Richard attacks everywhere
However, Richard forgot one thing…..the same terrain that would slow Henry’s troops would hinder Richard’s troops and Norfolk’s Northern Border spearmen weren’t finding this much to their liking. Fortunately, Northumberland’s billmen had gained the top of the slope and were in a fine position to attack Henry’s archers in the flank.
Fig. 12: Norfolk and Northumberland attacking Henry’s vanguard
Meanwhile, Shrewsbury had to decide between satisfying his hunger and the possibility of an early grave.
Fig. 13: Stand-off between Shrewsbury and Northumberland
The troops at the rear of Henry’s column had no such option as the fighting there was heavy and the Welshmen were finding their tallies being steadily recalculated in the enemy’s favour.
Fig. 14: Heavy fighting at the rear
Fig. 15: The height of the battle
Unexpectedly, Henry’s force didn’t collapse. While Richard recalculated the Welsh tallies to include no Welshmen, Oxford evened the score by emptying a few saddles of Richard’s supporters. At the front, things were also in the balance. While not being an inspiration at planning, Henry rushed to front to bolster his archers. This didn’t please the Northern Border spearmen who were already not happy with the mud; and they promptly routed, which rather shook up the rest of Norfolk’s troops. On the other hand none of this fazed Northumberland’s billmen as they set about hacking and separating the heads, arms and legs of Henry’s archers. But still Henry’s archers withstood the onslaught….
The Billman cut off the Archer’s left arm.
Billman: Now stand aside, worthy adversary.
Archer: 'Tis but a scratch.
Billman: A scratch? Your left arm’s off!
Archer: No, it isn't.
Billman: Well, what's that then?
Archer: I've had worse.
Billman: You liar!
Archer: Come on you pansy!
The Billman cuts off the Archer's right arm.
Archer: Come on then.
Billman: What?
Archer: Have at you!
Billman: You are indeed brave, Sir Archer, but the fight is mine.
Archer: Oh, had enough, eh?
Billman: Look, you stupid bastard, you've got no arms left.
Archer: Yes I have.
Billman: Look!
Archer: Just a flesh wound.
Billman: Look, stop that.
Archer: Chicken! Chicken!
Billman: Look, I'll have your leg. Right!
Billman cuts off the Archer’s leg.
Archer: Right, I'll do you for that!
Billman: You'll what?
Archer: Come 'ere!
Billman: What are you going to do, bleed on me?
Archer: I'm invincible!
Billman: You're a loony.
Archer: The Archers always triumph! Have at you! Come on then.
The Billman cuts off the Archer's other leg.
Billman: Victory is mine! We thank thee Lord, that in thy mercy...
Archer: All right; we'll call it a draw.
Billman: Come, Patsy.
Archer: Oh, oh, I see, running away then. You yellow bastard! Come back here and take what's coming to you. I'll bite your legs off!
Richard considered the lesson that planning and execution were two sides of one coin; and just who in Norfolk’s force needed that lesson in execution.
Fig. 16: Turn 3 – Henry hangs on while Shrewsbury is desperate to break through
Fig. 17: The Welsh have had enough but so have Richard’s knights – what’s left of them
Seeing Norfolk’s men waver, Shrewsbury decided that between dying of starvation or dying on the battlefield, the battlefield it was and led his men forward in a desperate charge.
Fig. 18: Norfolk is repulsed but Northumberland’s men continue to hack Henry’s longbowmen apart.
While it may not have been death on the battlefield for Shrewsbury, it was a good number of his men, but their savagery tore through Northumberland’s lines. The Northern Border Horse and the archer crumbled while the Northumberland’s cavalry were fragmented.
At the rear, Oxford continued to frustrate Richard, while he hurried reinforcements forward to Henry.
Fig. 19: Who will crack first?
Fig. 20: It looks like it will be Norfolk and Northumberland
Fig. 21: Oxford expertly delays Richard
Glorious victory for Northumberland’s billmen turned out to be short lived. Busily looting the wagons at the front of the supply column, they failed to notice the advance of Shrewsbury’s knights and Oxford’s infantry until it was too late. Hit from the flank and rear they shattered and fled in all directions. Richard had been defeated. With those men under his immediate command and a few archers under Norfolk, his army retired from the field of battle. But it had been a tough fight for Henry. His army was in no condition to pursue Richard and those men in Shrewsbury’s garrison that had not yet been engaged in combat were more content to just enjoy a good meal.
Both sides set about rebuilding their forces before they could decide who would be king.
Fig. 22: Turn 5 – End of the battle
Fig. 23: Aftermath – Shrewsbury’s men look forward to a good meal
Fig. 24: The battlefield today – preserve your heritage!
Thanks to madaxeman for posting the link to the Battlefield Chronicler software which I used to make the above maps. The softare is free and available here:
http://www.battlechronicler.com/index.html