Sunday 18 November 2018

English Civil War Game

Today we played a fictitious English Civil War game. I have managed to lose my original briefing sheet so I will try to remember the setup as best I can.

It was set a short time after the action at Cropredy Bridge in June 1644 where Waller, played by me, was defeated and lost most of his artillery train. Waller concieved a plan not only to retrieve the guns, but also to capture the King who was enroute to Oxford. The forces were more or less equal and arrived on the table from opposite ends. 

The field of play from the Royalist end of the table
And from the Parliamentarian end 

The King and his entourage 

The arrival of the Parliamentary foot

By chance, and possibly by the umpire's design, the opposing cavalry forces quickly confronted each other along the road and an indecisive fight erupted, after which the Royalist cavalry retired.

 

In the centre of the table the dragoons of each site engaged in a fire fight in which Parliament soon gained the upperhand.


Action then centred around the hill opposite the Parliament horse





The battle see sawed for some time while the Scots swung wide out on the rught flank. 

After a prolonged struggle the Royalist were beaten and most of their troops quit the field, allowing Waller to recover his guns, but more critically capture the King 


So it was that in late June 1644 the English Civil War ended.

12 comments:

  1. The King and his entourage are so atmospheric, what a fantastic period to play...and what a beautiful game!

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    1. I agree it is is a nice grouping and it was the first time it was in the table.

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  2. We don’t see your ECW collection out on the table often so when it makes an appearance, it is a treat.
    Capturing the Kng certainly is one way to stop hostilities.

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    1. Usually when the ECW armies get on the table it is for a special game and this was no exception. Regreatably none of these figures were mins, but (aprat from the Scots) belonged to one of our group and most of them date back more than 35 years.

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  3. Lovely looking game...
    And an excellent result...
    Will we see a rescue attempt?

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thanks Aly, although the set up was none of my doing. Yes a rescue attempt could be a possiblilty, maybe something for the New Year.

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  4. Very nice and the coach is a lovely touch.

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    1. Thanks Norm. The coach is the Warlord piece, bought and painted by our game organiser, who has a liking for this type of piece.

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  5. Nice report Mark - I have just done my own although many of the pictures are not that great unfortunately.

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    1. I am glad you got shots if your Scots. My shots came out poorly...too much light behind them.

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  6. Lovely looking game, nice table and troops! I should try and dig out my ECW troops!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain. They are a great collection of figures - none of which are mine - Foundry, Essex, Warlord and Empress dating back 35 years.

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