Friday Night Games: Battle of Hastings, October 1066 (Week One)

Friday 28th March saw us conviene at Mikey's to fight out the Battle of Hastings in 28mm scale. The game was organised by Mike W, using his figure collection and rules, Mike also umpired the game.

Anglo-Danish General Fryd on th right of their line

The Anglo-Danes were led by John (Harold Godwinson), Steve (Gyrth Godwinson) and Nigel (Leofeine Godwinson). Pitted against them, leading ghe Norma's were Mat (William 'the Badtsrd'), Dave (Bishop Odo aka 'Knuckles') , Rupert (Count Eustace 'the Useless') and Mikey (Alan of Breton aka 'Alan the Bumkin'). Note Mat really got into the role of William and ruled his team with a rod of iron and a Savage tongue! 😀

The Anglo-Danish line

The Norman left

Both sides lined out their troops, Anglo-Danes first, as they held the defensive lines on the hill. Harold in the centre, Garth to his right and Leofwine to his left. Troops were in shieldwall formation with reserves to the rear over the crest of the hill.

Norman Centre

Normans advance - blue counters are ammunition supply for missile men

Norman Archers prepare to fire

William took the centre  commanding the army and the Normsn Cavalry. Odo commanded the central infantry whilst Alan placed his Bretons to the left and Rupert placed his Feench to the right.

Alan and his cavalry contingent

As expected the Normans lined up with Archers and Crossbows to the front, followed by infantry and with Cavalry to the rear.

A view of the general Norman advance along their lines

Normans archers reach the foot of the defendeed hill

Norman foot closing behnd the archers

The Normans had 36 turns to destroy the Anglo Danush Army and kill or captur Harold and his brothers. If William was killed or captured  the Anglo-Danes win. Any other result is a draw  leading to a possible final showdown at the Medway Crossings or at Pevancy Bay  depending on who did best in the draw results above.

Anglo-Danes ready to receive

Archers pour fire on the defenders but to little effect

Week One started with a Norman advance followed by their infantry. Norman missile fire started at long range but then closed to short range but achieved little, other than driving off some Anglo-Danish skirmishers. A final full volley of arrows did drive a unit of General Fryd off the hill  before the Normans ran out of arrows

Archers in action

On game turn 5, William called a time out and pulled his lines back to the base line  resupplying the archers and assessing the impact of his fire power.

Normans call time out and reset to base positions to re-supply archers

The advance begins again 

Anglo-Danes re-aligned and waiting again

The Anglo Danes took the opportunity to reorganise and replace the unit of General Fryd in the line.

More Anglo-Danes

More missile fire

The Normans started over again  this time marching their archers and crossbowmen in to short range before letting rip with their missiles. This proved quite effective, and as a result drove Gryth's General Fryd shueld wall off tge far left of the hill linse by turn 12.

Norman infantry close for second time

Meanwhile on the Norman right the French, began ascending the frontal slopes and trying to directly engage enemy skirmishes.

Another view...

At this point, 1/3 through the battle we broke off until next week.....