WOTR 1455-1461 - Wakefield

 

Date: Thursday 26th January

Table Size: 8x6

Context: After the comprehensive victory at Northampton, capturing Henry VI, the Duke of York has been pressuring parliament to accept his claim to the throne. This is unsuccessful, but parliament agrees that on the death of King Henry, then York would become the king. This, naturally, causes Queen Margaret to react as it is her children that will stripped of their birthright, so a Lancastrian army begins assembling and harrying Yorkist estates in the North.

Accordingly, the Duke of York gathers forces and marches North. With Christmas approaching, he stays at Sandal Castle, finding Queen Margarets army has gathered outside. Determined to sally forth and attack in spite of advance and aware that a reinforcing army of Yorkists is on its way, the Duke of York rides out to attack what he sees as an inferior force in front of him.

Battlefield Map:

Objectives - Yorkist: Attack in force, defeat the Lancastrian line and close down the counter attack.

Objectives - Lancastrian: Capture and defeat the Duke of York and any other commanders on the field.

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

Order of Battle - Lancastrian: 6 Households, 1 Hobilar light cavalry, 1 Medium Cavalry, 2 Mounted Men at Arms, 1 Crossbows, 1 Handgonners, 2 Men at Arms, 4 Pike

Deployments: One small Lancastrian Brigade must be deployed in the centre of the table, representing the advance force that has become the target of York. 

Margarets force deploys on table at the rear end. Other Lancastrians arrive at a later point in the battle.  

York deploys in force on the opposite edge of the table.