To Topple a King: Baron Astley of Reading

 

It has been widely reported that Baron John Astley of Reading has joined the Royalist cause in Wales

Astley was born in Norfolk and grew up in a military family, his first experience of war was at the tender age of 18 years when he joined an expedition to the Azores in 1597 under the command of teh Earl of Essex and Sir Walter Raleigh.

In 1598 he joined Maurice of Nassau and Henry of Orange in the Netherlands, where he served with distinction in the Dutch Revolt. Afterwards he fought under Gustavus Adolphus in the 30 Years War.  

In 1622 Astley joined the household of Elizabeth, daughter of James I of England and her husband Frederick, King of Bohemia serving as military tutor to Frederick's son Prince Rupert.  

His characteristic battle-prayer has become famous: "O Lord, Thou knowest how busy I must be this day. If I forget Thee, do not thou forget me" which he followed promptly with the order "March on, boys!" 

To Topple a King: Lord Cockington makes his move

 

1642: November

Delayed reports of Lord Cockington's occupation of the Welsh region with part of the forces at his disposal have now filtered back to Army Headquarters in Oxford and London. Whilst Royalist military staff are aware of Cockington's exact dispositions, their adversaries in London have no indication of his relative strength or if the pro Royalist Lord has garrisoned any location in either the Welsh or Upper Thames Valley, as far as they are concerned at present Cockington's  entire Royalist force remains in the field, albeit spread across two regions.

Strategic initiative now passes to the Parliamentary Team, where Mark acting as Sir Osborne Black-De'arth must deliberate on his and the Royalist's next move.

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Campaign Materials sourced from Steven Bagalan / Map by Peter Davies

Friday Night Games: WW1

Friday 26th May saw the first week of a WW1 game put on by Phil, using his recently rebased French & German figures and a newly created set of rules for early war battles loosely based upon John's Boer War rules.

French 1st Battalion of four companies and an MG Platoon.

The game saw a force of five French Infantry Battalions and their supporting Artillery stage an attack against a German position, atop a long ridge held by two German battalions with additional battalions arriving in support.

The Germans were ably commanded by Dave & Rupert whilst the attacking French were commanded by Mike W, Mike N, Ollie & Steve. Mike N commanded 2 battalions of Zouaves, whilst the others had a battalion each of a full Infantry Regiment. Mike W, commanded the Regiment overall.

Attacking French Zouaves, accompanied by their attached Artillery's FOO

1st Battalion assault against German positions starts to go in and casualties begin to be taken

The French opted for an Oblique attack on the German lines, with their left flank (1st Battalion) leading first with the Zouaves, following and then the 2nd & 3rd Battalions going in from left to right.

Vive la France! as the Zouaves push on the central German position.

More of the Zouaves with a view of Ollie's battalion in support to their right 

A wider view of the central attack by Mike N & Ollie's forces

As with any WW1 scenario it is the Machine Guns and Artillery that rule the battlefield, here it is no different. Above can be seen the white targeting markers from German Artillery landing amongst the Zouaves.

And a close view as Artillery takes its toll on the gallant Zouaves

On the Left its grim for both the French & Germans, Mike W's French casualties are high but so are Dave's German casualties. To the rear can be seen German re-enforcements arriving to plug the gaps in the German lines on the ridge. 

To Topple a King: Parliament's 4th Strategic Move

 

1642: September/October

Reports reached London and Oxford of the recent successful move by SirArron Graces, the famous actor, poet and bard who commands one of Sir Bevill Dedge's brigades, he has now secured the South East Region for Parliament.

Sir Aaron was seen leading his men south, accompanied by his twin Border Collies Piper & Drummer, as ever Sir Arron was on foot at the forefront of his forces.

With this move the towns, cities and countryside of the South East region are in the hands of the People. In doing so he also takes control of the strongly pro Parliament towns & cities of Dover & Canterbury, see  the blue dots on the map below. 

Graces' force is signified by the light blue tile.

Whilst Parliamentary leaders in London are congratulating themselves on completing this part of their master plan, the enemy in Oxford are also aware of Graces' movement - but as ever, they have no indication of his relative strength or if he or Sir Bevill have garrisoned any location in either the South East or Lower Thames Valley, as far as they are concerned at present the  entire enemy force remains in the field, albeit spread across two regions.

In celebration of his occupation of the region, Sir Aaron writes and performs his latest Sonnet to the gentlefolk of the South East to much applause...

In yonder realm, where shadows cast their pall,

A valiant knight did rise, by honour driven,

Sir Aaron Graces, leader strong and tall,

With heart ablaze, his cause was thusly given.

 

From Sussex to fair Surrey's verdant plains,

He led his foot brigade with steadfast might,

To break the chains of tyranny's cruel reign,

And free the land from Charles the tyrant's blight.

 

Brave Graces, noble knight of righteous aims,

His sword gleamed bright, his armour staunch and true,

With every step, he quelled the people's claims,

And ushered in an era that was new.

 

Oh, gallant leader, fierce and full of grace,

Your name shall shine through time, a beacon's trace.

Strategic initiative now passes to the Royalist Team, where Paul acting as Lord Cockington must deliberate on his and the Royalist's next move.

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Campaign Materials sourced from Steven Bagalan / Map by Peter Davies

To Topple a King: Royalist 3rd & 4th Strategic Moves

Royalist Dragoon waving his musket about

1642: September/October

After what seems like many days of lack of information for each of the opposing command teams in Oxford & London, finally word comes through of significant Royalist strategic movements.

Firstly, German born, Prince Ruprecht of the Elbe moves his forces from the Upper Thames Valley region to that of the West Midland, this is the closely followed by the Italian stallion - Giovanni da Verrazano - moving his forces to the Yorkshire region via the newly secured East Midlands region.

In the West Midlands, Prince Ruprecht's force took control of the Pro-Royalist tows/cities of Chester & Shrewsbury, whilst in Yorkshire Giovanni's forces got control of pro-Royalist locations of Newcastle & York as well as the pro-Parliament port of Hull.

As noted, enemy leaders in London eventually become aware of Giovanni & the Prince's movements - but they have no indication of his relative strength of these forces or if any garrisons have been set-up in either region, as far as they are concerned at present, both Royalist forces remain in the field.

Strategic initiative now passes to the Parliamentary Team, where Sir Bevill Dedge is cogitating on his first move.

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Campaign Materials sourced from Steven Bagalan / Map by Peter Davies

To Topple a King: Parliament takes the Initiative

 

Escalating Public Order offences and vicious Dog fights result in Parliamentary forces
liberating the Lincolnshire region on behalf of the People, to prevent further violence.

1642: September/October

Parliamentary forces surge onwards and northwards as Sir Matthew Bacon secures access to the north by occupying the Lincolnshire region of the campaign map. In doing so he brings the formerly neutral region and it's notable towns & cities of Nottingham, Newark & Lincoln to the side of righteousness and democracy.

Whilst Royalist leaders in Oxford are initially shocked by Parliament pulling off two phases sequentially, they now prepare to do likewise themselves, with first Prince Ruprecht of the Elbe and then Giovanni da Verrazano displaying their extravagantly continental military prowess on the campaign field.

However of the recent moves by Sir Matthew, the Royalist know little, they have no indication of his relative strength or if he has garrisoned any location, as far as they are concerned at present the entire enemy force remains in the field.

What has been heard however is that the Parliamentary forces have been supplemented by mercenaries sourced form Scotland, they northern hosts having apparently been sent south by their overlords to bolster Sir William's weakened forces.

Strategic initiative now passes to the Royalist Team, the forces of the English People wait with baited breath!

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Campaign Materials sourced from Steven Bagalan / Map by Peter Davies