WOTR 1469 - Battle of Edgcote - Scenario

Date: Weds 30th September 2026

Table size: 8x6

Context: As Edward IV grew into his role as King, he recognised his over-reliance Warwick and broadened his support to include men personally loyal to him, like Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, and Stafford, Earl of Devon.

Warwicks plan at this point, was to marry his eldest daughter to the Duke of Clarence the Yorkist heir to the throne, Edward having no son at this point. A swift campaign resulting in a victory against Edward would put his son-in-law on the throne and the reigns of power into his hands. 

Around the same time in early in 1469 there were several risings in the north. Although some of these may been spontaneous, by late May/early June a rebel named ‘Robin of Redesdale’ (likely a Warwick associated figure) was proving particularly problematic, and beyond the ability of local Yorkist forces to suppress. Edward started to raise forces to deal with the problem, but was slow in doing so.

During July, Edward was based around Newark and Nottingham, building his army, watching out for Redesdale’s forces (now openly led by Warwick retainers).

Shortly thereafter, Warwick and Clarence publish a manifesto outlining their grievances with Edward IV and begin moving North.

Despite Edward’s massing his forces in the North Midlands, the rebels move past him. Shocked to discover he is outnumbered by the rebel forces, Edward falls into a defensive position on Edgcote Hill.

Due to a quarrel over a barmaid amongst the Royalist commanders, Devon withdraws his forces and leaves in a huff, with the possibility of returning to the main field on the day.

On the evening prior to the battle, a small rebel force led by Sir Henry Neville, encountered the pickets protecting the royalist camp. Whilst asking for quarter, Neville was dismounted and slain by his captors, causing the following battle to be especially vicious.

Battlefield Description:

Royalist forces were camped on Edgcote Lodge Hill, overlooking an area known as Danesmoor, bounded on the far side by a tributary of the River Cherwell and a ridge line in front of Culworth. 

The rebels were camped near Thorpe Mandeville, concealed by high ground. 

The armies probably numbered 2-3,000 each

Objectives - Royalist: Engage and destroy Rebel forces, attempt to capture or kill Warwick

Objectives - Rebel: Engage and destroy Royalist forces, attempt to capture or kill Edward

Order of Battle - Royalist: 

4 Households

2 Heavy Cavalry/Mounted Men at Arms

2 Medium Cavalry  

1 Crossbows

1 Handgunners

2 Men at Arms

2 Cannon

Note, the below forces will arrive later in the battle from reserve:

Devon

2 Households

1 Crossbow

1 Men at Arms

Order of Battle - Rebel: 

6 Households

2 Heavy Cavalry/Mounted Men at Arms

2 Medium Cavalry  

1 Crossbows

2 Handgunners

3 Men at Arms

2 Cannon

Revenge of the Doomlord - Battle Report

 Revenge of the Doomlord! Classic, classic, battle report and scenario from White Dwarf way back in the day. Mid 90s glory days! Remember it well.

By request, got this one onto the table, but using Midgard rules. Good excuse for me to tidy a few armies up, get some things built that have sat around too long and so on.

This is actually the second time we've played this scenario, having done it circa 2013 but nowhere near as well as we do it nowadays.

One major event in this game was we had to rerack slightly, due to the Undead commander getting a *bit* too overconfident with Dieter Helsnicht and getting him killed way way way too early, effectively ending the game haha. You know who you are!

Part 1

As the undead begin assembling and it became obvious a battle was to happen, there was a scramble for Imperial reinforcements from the North. Helsnicht diverted off all of his cavalry to meet this and tie them up, allowing his main lines to concentrate on attacking the town.

Accordingly, a smaller game using Erehwon rules happened a couple of days prior to the main game, with the results being kept secret to the GM, who would control the winners as appropriate reinforcements. This meant the players on the day knew something was going to turn up, but no idea what.

Each model was treated as a standalone activation, to promote the skirmish elements of this encounter.

Undead cavalry waiting their moment. They have all the time in the world.

Imperial cavalry arrives

Outrider heads straight out and shoots down the closest wight, signalling the advance

It very soon became a complete confusion of individual fights, but who would win?

Part 2

Table setup, with the village of Beeckerhoven waiting on the undead advance

Imperial positions

Undead begin their long advance towards the walls and town

Almost immediately the Doomlord swoops straight towards the village to menace the place.

At this point, he got himself killed by that mounted Imperial commander, so we had to rewind and start again from a suitable point.

So, Undead then begin pushing into the town with their faster moving units, while the main lines follow rapidly.

Pressure starts to tell on the defenders, who are doing a decent job of it, but being forced back

Just in time, the Imperial reserves begin arriving, under cover of a magical fog.

Poor skeletal crossbowyers find a bloody great war wagon charging out of the mist at them suddenly.

The reserves from the North appear (as they were successful at breaking through in part 1 above) and attack the undead supporting artillery.

Combat reaches the main defensive line, who need to hold until those reserves can march to assist.

Steam tank blows up on arrival, because of course it does.

Lines begin to buckle under attack from all sides.

War wagon crushes ANOTHER unit.

Imperial reserves start piling into the undead flank, forcing them to redraw their lines.

and it finishes with another combat between commanders, before Helsnicht takes to the air and leaves the armies to their fate.

Final result: Undead victory on table, Empire moral victory.

Great fun, great game, in spite of the fuck up early doors (I said be careful!)

Albionic Muster ov Dwarf Steel

The (re)discovery of Albion would have been nothing more than idle gossip, had Oni, the famed/mocked wanderer not arrived at the doors of the King requesting an audience with Ravensoak

Oni - considered by some of the clan nobles as little more than an annoyance with better days  long behind him, retained the ear of many high figures in Dwarf society, for some reason they kept to themselves.

A period of private discussion followed, until Ravensoak sent for Ungrim Grunnson, middle son of a family in long decline, decent reputation and reliable, and informed him that he had an opportunity for him. Simply put - to assemble an expeditionary group for Oni and head out to Albion

The purpose of this mission, Grunnson was informed, that Oni had come into certain information about undiscovered runic lore contained on the island, carved onto the Ogham Stones themselves.

"Albion is an untapped resource, so some form of exploration should be done at least. If Oni has it right, then could be worthwhile. I'll send Burlinson with you, as well, just his sort of affair. Good sort to have on a job like this"

Not thinking it politic to state his reservations at this point, Grunnson accepted and headed out to begin recruiting for the trip, quickly followed by salesdwarfs specialising in ships, waterproofing and blacksmithry.

Ungrim Grunnson, force leader. In it to restore his family name and fortune.

Hearthguard, carrying double handed axes. Not to be trifled with.

Oni, former Runesmith of high regard, took to wandering post forge accident, often seen muttering to Nia the Crow, and Skeggi, his long suffering apprentice, who is considerably more sociable and practical in day to day matters.

Burlinson. Famed amongst Tuath Duar for his scouting abilities, and accompanied by his Rangers.

30 solid Dwarf spears. Backbone of the force.

Grima Facebiter. Complete lunatic, but on a job like this, exactly the sort you need to get shit done.

Any trip into the unknown with a high chance of death, shitty weather and large monsters, is going to be gathering Slayers.

Crossbows and bolt thrower. Due to the wet weather, black powder (of scant availability in the wilds of Tuath Duar anyhow) was considered to be a risk.

Archers, just in case.

The full expeditionary force marches. Makes yer proud.