After a bit of an hiatus on the gaming front during October Phil and I finally got down to tabletop battlefield action here in GHQ earlier this week. A second run out for my small Wars of the Roses collection using Hail Ceasar Mk2. Once again I took command of the Lancastrians, leaving Phil to lead the Yorkists into battle seeking a second win into the bargain. As is usual, here is an annotated photomontage carrying you down into the action ~
The Yorkists have the initiative thanks to Phil's superior dice roll! They advance with determination all along their battle lines.
Still smarting from their defeat in the first encounter elements of the Lancastrian host were reluctant to advance!
Storms of arrows unleashed by both sides have little effect, perhaps falling short of the intended targets? Both sides are closing in ready for the mayhem of close combat.
Elements of Warwick's retinue surge forward to close with Wenlock's men. The remaining troops find the going much harder and lag behind.
Wenlock's retinue steadies itself ready for the upcoming clash of steel. Meanwhile Buckingham's mounted MAA have appeared on Warwick's flank threatening the supporting retinue.
To counter the threat Warwick sends forward his own mounted MAA hoping to shield his supporting retinue in their attack.
While the infantry of both factions seem reluctant to get to close quarters, the mounted MAA show no such hesitation, thundering into each other in a determined charge and counter!
Buckingham's MAA push back Warwick's charge, surging forward with steely determination. The Yorkist Vanward sees its attack faltering almost before it is underway.
Meanwhile, away on the Lancastrian left the Scots mercenary spearmen, having been assured of a bonus, charge forward on the Yorkists' mercenary pikemen. The canny Scots are supported by a rabble of swordsman armed with two handed weapons.
Warwick's impetuous charge falls short of their target where Wenlock's billmen and MAA eagerly await the disjointed attack.
The Burgundian pikemen are routed in short order by 'Black George's' spearmen who immediately crash into the unprepared Burgundian handgonnes supporting the pikemen!
Fearing the worst Norfolk sends De La Pole's mounted MAA forward to turn back the Lancastrian tide.
Despite the odds, Warwick's bowmen with support from the Bills throw back Wenlock's MAA and Billmen! It is the Lancastrians turn to fear the worst if their centre crumbles.
The Scots mercenary spearmen make short work of the Burgundian handgonnes blithely unaware of the threat posed by the mounted MAA to their flank.
Back on the Lancastrians' right despite his mounted MAA being steadily forced back Warwick tries to coordinate an all out assault on the enemy foot.
The Lancastrian position is far from secure despite successes on their left. The centre appears vulnerable if the Yorkists can coordinate their assaults.
Desperate times call for desperate measures as Henry VI must lead his Household foot knights and MAA into the thick of the action and shore up his army's position.
Buckingham throws Sir John Savage's billmen into the fight and despite the odds they break Warwick's retinue and secure the Lancastrian centre once more.
Worn down by repeatedly being bested in combat Warwick's mounted MAA are finally routed leaving his foot exposed to a flank attack. Edward's left and right are seeming to crumble before his eyes.
Despite his rising anxiety the situation on his right is not all lost yet. The mounted MAA have routed the mercenary Scots spearmen and threaten the swordsmen in support. However the final retinue on that flank cannot hold off the advancing Lancastrians and the Ward has suddenly reached Break point.
With his left and right Wards broken Edward realises it is all up for the Yorkist cause. The day is Henry's on this occasion it seems! He and his commanders slink away ready to raise fresh troops and fight another day.
A splendid game with fortunes changing back and forth as they do with Hail Ceasar2. Early successes for Phil's Yorkists were not sustained as the momentum swung my Lancastrians' way after a very hesitant start. We are not sure we will bother with Midgard for this period, it seems that we are somewhat set in our ways in ours 70's now. But, never say never...
