Game 47 Mini-Siege

This game was played using 40mm figures by Tom Nolan vs his son Sean & myself
 
This was a game that would have benefited from a bigger table but we had fun anyway. Sean took command of the tower with 5 archers, a ballista and 5 of Count Hubert's wall guards. King Thom had brought along 10 armoured cavalry and 5 heavily armoured foot, I added 5 archers and 10 lightly armed warriors on foot, a Visigoth raiding party perhaps. Some quick die rolling determined the breech would not be ready till the 2nd day but the returning foraging party would return mid afternoon on the 1st day.  So the game began with the appearance of Preisages, 4 of his Alans and 5 local spearmen.

Tom's Sash & Saber figures trying to drive off the returning foraging party.   

King Thom's cavalry quickly closed in on them from the East while a line of infantry started forward to block the way to the gate on the West. At first it looked like the Alans' superior mobility would enable them to evade the enemy while the bow fire might cover the return of the party but in the end only 2 foot soldiers and 3 Alans made it to the gate and safety. Tribune Johan in the tower received an arrow in the neck whilst peering over the rampart but luckily he was patched up and ready for battle the next day.

The 2nd day began with the arrival of Duke Stephen and the wagon train simultaneously with the assault on the breech, the fighting was bloody and renewed  but at the 3rd assault Tribune Johan went down again and the besiegers carried the breech. The eagle was borne back up to the top of the tower and the archers drew swords for a last stand.

Meanwhile, the relief party made slow work of  crossing the ford but Duke Stephen and his knights  rode ahead and  the Alans sortied out to meet them. At the 1st clash, Duke Stephen's charge rolled over the Visigoth cavalry although his helmet appeared to save him from an enemy blow, he reeled in the saddle as the next wave of enemy cavalry rode forward and his squire led him from the field. (I'm sure that's what boxcars on his morale test meant). Seeing the duke leaving the field, all of the relief party, apart from Prince Michael and 2 spearmen, took to their heels. High atop the tower a handful of lightly armoured archers drew swords as the heavily armoured Visigoths climbed the stairs. The outcome was never really in doubt and within minutes the Dragon banner waved from the tower top.

Game 48: Tourney

This game was played solo on 19 Dec 2009 using my 40mm Elastolin Prince Valiant figures and Medieval mayhem.  I did briefly consider digging out my 54mm toy knights for this but decided to stick with the Days of King  Arthur instead, esp since I could muster at least a few spectators. So let us set the scene.

As part of treaty  negotiations, Count Hubert has arranged a friendly tourney between his knights and those of King Pharlain. Initially each mounted knight would fight one knight from the opposing camp. If neither was unhorsed after 3 passes, a draw would be proclaimed. Next each knight would fight one different knight on foot and lastly a general melee would occur with only 1 Champion being left standing. Remember that in Foster's Prince Valiant strip, knights don't all dress like medieval knights. The 3 champions for the Count were Duke Stephen, Sir Preisages the Alan and Prince Michael. On the other side was the King himself with his ally Dearg Mor  the Pict and Sir Gorm.

The first pass saw the Duke and the King exchange mighty blows as they passed. Wheeling their horses about, they charged again but this time, the Duke, standing high in the stirrups smote a mighty blow and sent the King reeling. Next up was Prince Michael vs Dearg Mor. Three passes did these famous warriors make but neither could best the other. Lastly Preisages the Sarmatian took the field and on the first pass, dumped Sir Gorm on the field.

Next came the foot round. This time the Duke smashed down Dearg Mor, Prince Michael won over the unlucky Sir Gorm and Preisages fought a drawn combat  against the King.

Last came the melee, a swirling cloud of dust and steel, sparks flying as sword and mace bit on iron bound shield and steel helm but at last only 2 warriors were afoot. Panting heavily, Duke Stephen looked across at his nephew, Prince Michael. Many times they had faced each other on the exercise ground but never yet had the Prince bested him. They met with a mighty clash and exchanged blows with the nimble Prince skipping lightly aside from his Uncle's powerful blows. Sweat poured down their faces and their breath grew laboured. At last Michael saw his chance and darting in managed to hook his leg around his uncle's and brought him down.

Not the most glamorous victory but within the rules of the tourney and Prince Michael smiled at the bright eyes shining at him from beneath a tall yellow yellow cap as the Count proclaimed him as Champion..  

Game 52: Highwayman

This game was played solo on Dec 31 using 40mm Elastolin figures and Medieval Mayhem.


I do have a stagecoach but don't have any really suitable highwaymen and anyway, I didn't have a good back story so I time shifted back to the early medieval period and got out my Elastolin figures. Needing two good guys disguised as innocent passengers, I went with the bare-headed Prince Valiant & Sir Gawain.


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Word reached Count Hubert's court that the Red Knight and a band of  ruffians were stopping travelers on the road to Belmont.  When ever a patrol of the Count's men  came down the road, the robbers melted away into the forest. Val approached Gawain  with a proposal. The next day, as an envoy from Rome and the Lady Alison climb into the carriage, two strangers muffled in cloaks climb in behind them. 

Shortly after the carriage left the way station at Mount Uniake and entered the woods,  a fallen log blocked the road. As the driver slowed, a cry rang out, "STAND and DELIVER!",  and an archer with draw bow stepped from the shadows.  In accordance with his instructions, the guard put his bow aside and stepped down. The passengers stepped out as the Red Knight and a ruffian swiftly moved out on the other side and began pilfering the envoy and the lady Allison. Seizing the moment, Gawaine threw off his cloak, drew his sword and lunged at the ruffian. Val started forward but his cloak caught, taking a moment to clear but he was on the Red Kight before he could escape.

The guard now drew his sword and rushed on the archer who, startled, shot wide then drew his own sword. A clash of blades rang through the forest and the issue stood in doubt but at last the guard felled his man while Prince Valiant pulled the Red Knight from his horse and put an ended to his thieving ways. The last ruffian turned and fled for the woods. Gawain started in pursuit but Val  grabbed his arm saying "Let him go, tomorrow is New Year's Eve and we have fought enough battles for one year."