Friday Night Games: The Battle of Cerigmoza, 1503

Friday 28th February, saw us all reconvene at Rupert's for a second week of Italian Wars fun and games, this week we refought the Battle of Cerigmoza, which occurred a few weeks after last week's refought Battle of Seminara.

Seminara had been fought on the 'Toe of Italy', this Battle was on the 'Heel of Italy' with the French and their Swiss troops, looking to check Spanish armies uniting and creating an even larger problem for the French.

This week the Spanish were commanded by Mike N, John and Steve, whilst the old stalwarts Mike W, Mat and Dave commanded the French army.

The difference this time was that the French Command had learn the hard lessons from the week before and improved their initial deployment set-outs and with a better understanding of the rules, they were much more effective in getting their powerful Swiss pike blocks into contact with the enemy and checking the Spanish Horse wings with their own balanced mounted wings!

Both armies attempted to secure the advantage on the flanks, with spirited fights extending through out the game on both sides.

Gradually the French prevailed on both flanks, but on the French right the victory was Pyric and thus  no advantage was really gained. On the French left, it went better, with the Spanish ultimately pushed back and French units, including a supporting pike block, turning the Spanish flank.

In the centre the Spanish strategy had been to hold their positions on the slope, behind the dried stream and force the French had to attack .

This week, better coordination between pike and shot allowed the French to engage their pike blocks as well as sustain ongoing fire into he enemy.

A French pike block centre right refused to engage much of the game, but the two Swiss pike blocks did Stirling work in the centre and centre left.

The left most block, immediately routed a German Landsknechts block and then whittled down a Spanish block before breaking that. 

By the time the central Swiss pike bloke (it had been stopped by heavy fire and a Spanish block), the Spanish flank had been turned and the umpire called the game at that point, a victory to the French.

Friday Night Games: The 3rd Battle of Seminara

On Friday 21st Feb, we played a refight of the Italian Wars 3rd Battle of Seminara using Rupert's 25mm collection, his rules and his venue for the evening.

The French Array

Whilst Rupert umpired the game, Mike W, Mat & Dave took on the Swiss Command and Mike N, Steve & Paul ran the opposing French forces. Paul took the French centre with Mikey on the French left and Steve on their right. Mat had the Swiss centre with Dave to his left and Mike W to his right.

Swiss Crossbowmen

French Cavalry on their right

The game opened with the two flanks of cavalry surging forwards to contest their respective grounds, these fights lasted about 2/3 of the game but ultimately the French forces pushed back their Swiss counter parts.

A view of the large battlefield

Swiss pike blocks advancing on the French

In the centre the Swiss had made the mistake of deploying their misslemen in front of their pike blocks, instead of to the side, meaning that as the sides advanced, the Swiss could not easily get their pike blocks into the fight as the misslemen were in the way.

French Cavalry on their left flank

Part of the French Centre / Left line

Centre of the french line

After a lot of fighting the Swiss were in no position to continue and the game went to the French! With a better understanding of the rules and the appropriate tactics the Swiss are looking forward to a rematch....

The Swiss line from their right flank, with massed Light Cavalry on their right

The lines close for battle

Centre / left of the Swiss line as the sides close

Cannon fire errupts from both lines.

A large Cavalry melee erupts on eth Swiss right, despite stiff resistance the French finally prevail

French Heavy Cavalry

More French Heavies

Swiss Crossbowmen nearest camera as in background the Swiss / Frech melee continues

Swiss Cavalry on their left  of the line

Swiss Light cavalry finally being chased off by the French on the Swiss right

French forces close in around the Swiss pike blocks

Friday Night Games: 25mm ECW

Friday 23rd August saw us playing a 25/28mm ECW game, trying out the 1644 ruleset, at Mike N's venue. This was a fairly straight forward encounter game with Steve, Mat, Dave and Mark playing the Royalists whilst Mike W, John & Rupert were playing the Parliamentary forces. Figures were from Mikey N's collection.

Advancing Parliamentary infantry in the centre of the line. 

The forces of Parliament took the initiative to attack in the center whilst both cavalry wings surged forwards to try and gain advantage and turn the enemy's flanks.

A major Cavalry melee that developed on the Parliamentary right flank, this fight continued through much of the game, until finally the bulk of the Royalist units broke at the end of the game

This was ultimately successful for both side's right flanks! With the Royalists gaining an advantage mid game and then allowing them time to turn and attack the Parliamentary left from the flank and rear, causing much consternation!

Close-up of advancing Parliamentary units in the centre

Similarly, although much later in the game, the Parliamentary cavalry in their right, routed much of the Royalist horse but really only doing so in the last turn of the game. A  couple more turns and the Royalist left would likely have been significantly mauled.

A view of the waiting royalist line

In the center the attacking Parliamentary infantry took casualties from the defending Royalist artillery battery and musketeers, disuading their commander from committing further to the attack. A similar Royalist infantry attack to support their Cavalry on their right was also abandoned due to the high casualty rate as they tried to close.

A close-up of the Royalist grand battery and supporting infantry regiments, in their center / left

Early in the game, Royalist Horse surge forwards to engage their Parliamentary counter parts

All in all, an interesting game, the rule set was put through its paces by a group who included a number of ECW period enthusiasts, who were concerned about the strength of the artillery and the way that Cavaltry fights seemed to get bogged down. 

Close-up of a royalist infantry regiment

We may try Warhammer ECW next or even and adaptation of Beneath the Lily Banner, as alternatives to our old friend Forlorn Hope. 

One of the Scots regiments supporting Parliamentary forces on the tabletop.

The brisk cavalry mele on teh Roalist left / Parliament right flank.
Ultimately the Royalists broke throug hand turned to attack teh Parliamentary lines from their flank / rear.

Advancing Parliamentary units