WOTR 1455-1461 - Mortimers Cross Battle Report

 Mortimers Cross, a fight of two sides!

Scenario can be found here: https://themosquitoonthetenthfloor.blogspot.com/2023/02/wotr-1455-1461-mortimers-cross.html

Initial Deployments and Table Layout

Both sides begin to move towards one another, with the cavalry putting the spurs on

The fight on either side of the river seems to be more of a classic archery battle, with both sides trading equally.

Meanwhile, the cavalry is kicking the absolute shit out of one another, with feints, counter charges, evades and infantry getting in the way. Both sides still fairly equal at this point, although York a lot more in the face of Lancaster.

Yorkist reinforcements arrive on one flank, although the way things have progressed on that side of the field, there may not be much left on either side.

Table of two halves - the fight around the river much more controlled and disciplined.

Lancastrian households start getting combine charged, now York knights are dominating their side of the table........albeit pretty smashed up and weakened.

Good indicative view of how the two halves of the table were unfolding. Complete carnage at one end, organised lines of men on the other, with York pressing advantage on the other side of the river. This is likely reflective of the commanders at each end!

Engagement actually starts happening across the river, as Lancaster feels slightly outnumbered.

Plucky Men at Arms suddenly charge out to force some action and fight their way through an unholy amount of people.

York looks to have this side sewn up, but not as easily as they'd have hoped.

And with that, it was all over. Yorkist win.

Really two battles in one, with the key points being whoever was going to win that almighty cavalry ruck, who was able to bring support up to claim any advantage from the cavalry fight, and the mad men at arms who punched straight through the Lancaster line after a couple of hours positioning and trading shots at one another, which allowed York to push the advantage on that side.

WOTR 1455-1461 - Wakefield Battle Report

 Wakefield, a royal ruck indeed - will the Yorkists fall into the trap?

Table set up and inital deployments.

Yorkist lines

Lancastrian deployments - initially behind the treeline, with a couple of sacrificial tactically deployed households up front.

Other side of the Yorkist lines

Some unusually efficient moving from the Lancaster bait leaves them in a fine position, as the main line moves up

As the lines approach one another, York gets a shock when a mass of reserves arrive on their flank and don't look especially friendly.

Trading eloquence.

Yorkists find some v unfriendly cavalry arrive on their flank. Best start getting that attack in!

Main lines begin engaging

Yorkists put up a hell of a fight and storm through anything facing them

Casualties begin to mount up, but neither side has a decisive break

Casualties eventually tell on both sides, commanders fall, so Richard of York ups and heads for the safety of castle walls.

(Richard of York seen at the v back there, centre table, legging it at high speed)

A draw, essentially. Pyrrhic!

WOTR 1455-1461 - Mortimers Cross

 

Date: Weds 22nd February

Table Size: 8x6

Context: After the death of his father, Edward Mortimer sits safe in Yorkist territory awaiting the next move from the Lancastrians, which will inform his own decisions. Margaret of Anjou is the dominant force in the Lancastrian forces, following another mental health episode from Henry VI. Accordingly, she orders Jasper Tudor, his father the Earl of Pembroke, and James Butler, Earl of Ormond and Wiltshire (who brought his own French and Irish mercenaries) to march from South Wales and put down the Yorkists based in the Marches at Ludlow and Wigmore.

A foul winter, poor ground and delays cause issues for the Lancastrian forces amassing, which Edward uses to his full advantage. Choosing a site to give them optimal chances of success, the Yorkists move out and attack Jasper Tudor as he marches through the valleys.

Battlefield Map:

Objectives - Yorkist: Engage and destroy the Lancastrian forces. Orders have been given by Edward for the capture of any opposing commanders.

Objectives - Lancastrian: You must hold in good order and defeat the Yorkist enemy. The capture or death of Edward would be a prize indeed!

Order of Battle - Yorkist: 6 Households, 1 Light cavalry, 1 Medium Cavalry, 2 Mounted Men at Arms,  1 Crossbows, 2 Men at Arms, 3 Pike

Order of Battle - Lancastrian: 6 Households, 1 Light cavalry, 1 Medium Cavalry, 2 Mounted Men at Arms, 1 Crossbows, 3 Men at Arms, 2 Pike

Deployments: See above map.

W is for WYNGARDE #4

 

Painting Tally - January 2023

8 Uruk Hai Bersekers

1 Troll

4 Uruk Hai Crossbows

2 Uruk Hai Standard Bearers

Witch King (mounted)

Witch King (foot)

36 Morannon Orcs

24 French Napoleonic Infantry

18 1870 Prussian Line Infantry

Month Total: 95

Year Total: 95