The Battle of Palmer's Cross 1643

Games hosted here in GHQ have been somewhat disrupted here; a combination of holidays, illness and domestic work combining to restrict opportunities to gather the chaps together at any one time. So this Monday's game was anticipated more than usual I felt, at least it was by yours truly! I settled on a fictional ECW game, pitting once more Sir Marmaduke ' Gaylord' Robinson against that stout Parliamentarian Obadiah Bykleigh. So, to the Battle of Palmer's Cross in our ongoing loosely linked games set in the south of Staffordshire around Wolverhampton. First, the field of battle before any troops are deployed ~

The buildings making up the hamlet of Palmer's Cross are from Conflix, the trees and hedges from The Last Valley, Phil made the terrain boards for me and, lastly, the animals from a host of sources too numerous to mention. {Pay more than usual attention to this layout as it's going to feature again later in the month, with some C20th additions, in a VBCW game, Incident at Palmer's Cross, 1938.}
Back to the C17th now though with some images from the game. We revisited Victory Without Quarter for the rules in a real nostalgia fest ~

Three turns into the game and the Parliamentary army is finallyunderway.
The cards were not favourable to me in the early phase of the game.

The Royalist infantry have advanced with gusto, supported by their Horse.
The first clash is on their left flank when the outnumbered Parliamentary Horse
counter charge their opponents.

On the Parliamentary left the Horse clash and the first blood is to their cause.
More Royalist Horse hurry to their support as the guns are threatened.

On the Royalist left the Parliamentary Horse sweeps all before them. The rout
exposes the infantry to destruction.

On the Royalist right their Horse is also routed and the guns are in jeopardy.
Only the Lifeguard of Horse are between the Royalists and utter defeat.

Parliamentary Foot surge forward supported by fresh Horse. The situation is
grave for the Royalist's cause.

It was all up for Sir Marmaduke Robinson in Turn 7 as his cavalry on both wings was routed by the Parliamentary Horse, leaving his artillery and infantry at their mercy! As an adjunct to the main action a number of vignettes which gave flavour to the table ~

"This may hurt!" The surgeon set by Foundry.

"I'm sure if we attack there we shall find a weakness!" Figures
from Foundry & Redoubt with Irregular furniture.

She had a cunning plan I suspect. He should have listened!
Foundry figures and dog with more Irregular furniture.

"For want of a shoe the
 battle was lost!" 

No game here in GHQ now until the end of the month when we shall be playing a VBCW game across substantially the same terrain, although the canal and railway might be a bit of a C20th giveaway. Next week the action switches to Phil's Olaf's HQ for the final game in the Strontium Campaign with both Goths and C3rd Romans tussling for final victory.