ECW Campaign 2017 Common Thread

[Kelen2]

Gavin,

thank you for all the work you have done on this campaign. I've really enjoyed it, although I have failed miserably at the battles (Cornishmen always have less than half of the muskets the enemy has, and Kerry loves using massed musketry), and been frustrated when some people didn't put in moves at critical times.

Some suggestions.....use 30 years war armies...lots of variety but the armies appear well balanced, even the weird ones like transylvanians.

Personally I like the idea of two sides battling it out, campaigns where everyone is an individual tend to end up like Risk, once one player gets big the others work against him, you don't get a decisive result. But allow the sides to have an overall commander who players can (if they wish) allow to move the armies and the players fight the battles. Some of us enjoy the strategic stuff, others just want to kill things.

I would avoid having garrisons dotted around the place, keep the economics simple, 1,000 points for your first area, 50 for each additional area. Divisions getting a bonus was brilliant.
How would garrisons work? Can 50 points somewhere really delay 1,200 points, if so for how long.....it just gets messy.

Just my thoughts.....who ever runs the campaign has ultimate choice.

I look forward to the next one,

Andre

Must say I do agree with Awesum with regards playing for a 'team' rather than as an 'individual'. Depending on the size of the map though you could have more than 2 factions (although not sure how/if that would work if say 2 Imperial armies from different factions end up fightin geach other).

[GDod]

The Naki Bardman.jpg (3.38 KiB) Viewed 6605 times

Gavin,

thank you for all the work you have done on this campaign. I've really enjoyed it, although I have failed miserably at the battles (Cornishmen always have less than half of the muskets the enemy has, and Kerry loves using massed musketry), and been frustrated when some people didn't put in moves at critical times.

Some suggestions.....use 30 years war armies...lots of variety but the armies appear well balanced, even the weird ones like transylvanians.

Personally I like the idea of two sides battling it out, campaigns where everyone is an individual tend to end up like Risk, once one player gets big the others work against him, you don't get a decisive result. But allow the sides to have an overall commander who players can (if they wish) allow to move the armies and the players fight the battles. Some of us enjoy the strategic stuff, others just want to kill things.

I would avoid having garrisons dotted around the place, keep the economics simple, 1,000 points for your first area, 50 for each additional area. Divisions getting a bonus was brilliant.
How would garrisons work? Can 50 points somewhere really delay 1,200 points, if so for how long.....it just gets messy.

Just my thoughts.....who ever runs the campaign has ultimate choice.

I'll take your suggestions on board awesum
I look forward to the next one,

Andre

[GDod]

The Naki Bardman.jpg (3.38 KiB) Viewed 6605 times

I guess that I arrived at the "last call", but having one battle is better than none. I think that you have done an excellent job working out the details of a campaign.

I created an ECW campaign map, using freeware AutoREALM, based on the board game Unhappy King Charles. I was working on a campaign system (I called Cocked Pistol) for fighting the battles with miniatures, but it is incomplete. The map uses a point-to-point movement system rather than area (county) movement. The map has a lot of details that I would strip out for a much more simple campaign system. Each map element is an object, which can be dragged to a new location, copied, or even the colour changed. It makes annotating the campaign easy and clear. If anyone wants to play around with the map then I would be happy to give them the AutoRealm file that I made.

Attached is the map I created:

The attachment ECW_CockedPistolMap.jpg is no longer available

Thanks William I'll have a look at the software

[w_michael]

The Naki Bardman.jpg

I guess that I arrived at the "last call", but having one battle is better than none. I think that you have done an excellent job working out the details of a campaign.

I created an ECW campaign map, using freeware AutoREALM, based on the board game Unhappy King Charles. I was working on a campaign system (I called Cocked Pistol) for fighting the battles with miniatures, but it is incomplete. The map uses a point-to-point movement system rather than area (county) movement. The map has a lot of details that I would strip out for a much more simple campaign system. Each map element is an object, which can be dragged to a new location, copied, or even the colour changed. It makes annotating the campaign easy and clear. If anyone wants to play around with the map then I would be happy to give them the AutoRealm file that I made.

Attached is the map I created:

ECW_CockedPistolMap.jpg

Thanks William I'll have a look at the software

I recommend the board game Unhappy King Charles. I own it, but have never played it because I do not have any local opponents. It is the best ECW strategic game that I have found. It has a deck of random events that would be fun to include in a campaign.

[awesum4]

I like the map of England, this one works well. The idea of a civil War appeals. But using Royalists against Parliament doesn't, I don't think there is Enough variety of troops and armies, and I really struggle to win with Royalists (but I know TGM does amazing things with them). You could fight a campaign using Wars of the roses armies, but they don't really appeal, most battles are real slogging matches with little room for maneuver.

I would push for an ECW campaign but using 30 years war armies. One side is Imperial/Catholic/Spanish the other Anti-Imperial/Protestant/Danish/Swedish/French, you could have Poles and Transylvanians as wild card armies who turn up by random event and go home if defeated.
The war could start in 1618 using only armies available at that date. Every 3 seasons (no rational person fights in winter, that's for recruitment and training) you could advance it one year, so armies would evolve gradually. Danish, Swedes and French would become available to the Anti-Imperials at roughly the time they intervened in the actual war.

[ianiow]

For what its worth, here is the result of the 1st battle of Berkshire:

Lord Essex (Parliament) 38% defeated Sir William (Royalist) 64%

In a battle that swung wildly between one side then the other. Sir William took a commanding lead and came within one unit-rout of winning. However several Parliament pike units were rallied by lord Essex and lead back into the fray.

[GDod]

The Naki Bardman.jpg (3.38 KiB) Viewed 6571 times

For what its worth, here is the result of the 1st battle of Berkshire:

Lord Essex (Parliament) 38% defeated Sir William (Royalist) 64%

In a battle that swung wildly between one side then the other. Sir William took a commanding lead and came within one unit-rout of winning. However several Parliament pike units were rallied by lord Essex and lead back into the fray.

Hurrah!

[w_michael]

For what its worth, here is the result of the 1st battle of Berkshire:

Lord Essex (Parliament) 38% defeated Sir William (Royalist) 64%

In a battle that swung wildly between one side then the other. Sir William took a commanding lead and came within one unit-rout of winning. However several Parliament pike units were rallied by lord Essex and lead back into the fray.

I was able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The funny thing was that I mentioned in the chat that the game was close and whoever rallied one or two regiments first would be the winner. On the next turn three Parliament regiments rallied! It was a very good, and exciting game.

[TheGrumpyDoge]

Hey all, whilst i was a late starter in this campaign i want to thank Gdod for the work and effort. I am always keen on campaigns like this, they add flavour and some banter.

I am always contactable through the CHC wargamers even if working remotely. Look forward to being in the starting line up for the next one.

And, i leave with a victorious defense .. Parl 34 Royal 60

[GDod]

Hey all, whilst i was a late starter in this campaign i want to thank Gdod for the work and effort. I am always keen on campaigns like this, they add flavour and some banter.

I am always contactable through the CHC wargamers even if working remotely. Look forward to being in the starting line up for the next one.

And, i leave with a victorious defense .. Parl 34 Royal 60

The Committee of Both Kingdoms will have to think of a fitting reward for such a resounding defense of London's soft underbelly in the far south Since Kent is known as 'The Garden of England, how about "Head Gardner of the Home Counties and Chief Parliamentarian Procurer of Prime Royalist Horseflesh" ?

[Kelen2]

Have been in contact with Seaport and he has said that he won't be starting our battle as we won't be able to complete it before the dealine. Looks like my army will have a narrow escape, for what it's worth being the last turn and all.

[GDod]

The Naki Bardman.jpg (3.38 KiB) Viewed 6454 times

Have been in contact with Seaport and he has said that he won't be starting our battle as we won't be able to complete it before the dealine. Looks like my army will have a narrow escape, for what it's worth being the last turn and all.

A fortunate escape indeed... the King will have to refer to you as Kelen, the most fortunate,Houdini of the north

[Kelen2]

The Naki Bardman.jpg

Have been in contact with Seaport and he has said that he won't be starting our battle as we won't be able to complete it before the dealine. Looks like my army will have a narrow escape, for what it's worth being the last turn and all.

A fortunate escape indeed... the King will have to refer to you as Kelen, the most fortunate,Houdini of the north

Indeed. I would like to think that I had him scared, what with mine being a seasoned veteran force, and his being a raw untried rabble, but I doubt it.

[Triarii]

Gavin -
Big thanks for the campaign - really enjoyed it.
Sad to say - Parliament just lost 63% to 53% in Bacup.
It would have been another season of wound licking in Lancs. for both of us though.

[Doyley50]

The battle of Bacup was fiercly fought, the Royalists prevailing despite a shortage of black pudding and meat and potato pies. The outcome was in doubt right up to the very last move,thanks for a great game Triarius!

[GDod]

The battle of Bacup was fiercly fought, the Royalists prevailing despite a shortage of black pudding and meat and potato pies. The outcome was in doubt right up to the very last move,thanks for a great game Triarius!

A belated victory, which I will scribe into the short history when I can. Well done to both of you for tying down the loose ends, and enhancing the Royalist hand before negotiations for terms commence. Perhaps a later invitation to treat with the enemy may eventuate [who knows, the conflict may be rekindled on mainland Europe if negotiations completely break down!]

[GDod]

CAMPAIGN HISTORY at a Glance; Final Instalment


THE PLAYERS and Awarded Titles. With victories come titles and immortalisation in the annals of the campaign
Royalists......................Starting Home County..............Colour
Doley50.......................Lancashire (34)..................... pink...................... Sir Doley of Ripley, Decorated Dresser to the King, Castilian of Ripley castle and Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire
TGM ..........................Shropshire (24) .....................light green............... Lord Quiggly de la Mouse, signor of the hamlet of Much Wenlock of Shropshire, awarded after the BATTLE OF WARWICK Duke of Warwick, Lord High Steward of the West Midlands awarded after the BATTLE OF NASEBY - Viscount of Cranborne and 'The Hart of Hertfordshire'
Awesum4 ....................Cornwall (20)........................dark green .............. Andre Devereaux, Duke of Cornwall and Devon and Somerset, spokesman for his illustrious Highness Charles Stuart, King of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales...etc
BrentBJ (Retired) ..........Gloustershire (22)..................dark red.................. Duke of Gloucester
w-michael................... Buckinghamshire(8)................dark red.................. Sir William, 2nd Duke of Gloucester
Lascar.........................Norfolk (16)..........................middle red...............Duke of Norfolk, Captain of the Honourable Band of Gentlemen Pensioners, awarded after the BATTLE OF BUCKINGHAM HOUSE Chequers Court country house and allowed to quarter his coat of arms to include the chequer board of the Exchequer,
Kelen2........................Nottinghamshire(31)................yellow.................... Lord Kelen, awarded after the BATTLE OF IKLEY COMMON 'The Sheriff' of Nottinghamshire awarded after the BATTLE THAT WASN'T the most fortunate,Houdini of the North.
Youngr........................ Rutlandshire (29)....................cream.................... Younger Duke of Rutland awarded after the BATTLE OF WHITE HORSE HILL Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire & residence in perpetuity of Mapledurham House awarded after the BATTLE OF the VALE twin titles of Guardian of the Vale and Royal Market Gardener.
Damatrois.................... County Down (48) ..................light grey................ Earl of Ulster, Protector, Lord Lieutenant and Chief Secretary of Ireland,awarded after the BATTLE OF Llanthony PRIORY 1st Earl of Cardigan and keeper of the Royal Kennels
Kingi.......................... Sussex (3).............................khaki..................... Lord Kingi, Gentleman pensioner, ex-member of Parliament for Chichester, High Court of Justice, standing member of the army committee, head of the committee for the advance of money, committee for plundered ministers and the committee for compounding

Parliamentarian...........County................................Colour
Tairius.......................Northumberland (39).................dark blue................ Lord Lieutenant of Dover Castle, member of Parliament for Tunbridge Wells (and former Wobble) former ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. awarded after the BATTLE OF PRESTON, Lord High Protector of the Lancashire Hot-pot
Snugglebunnies..............E. Riding Yorkshire (36)..............darker middle blue... awarded after the BATTLE OF EAST RIDING YORKSHIRE Lord Lieutenant of Hull and the East Riding awarded after the BATTLE OF FRAGGED-BY-RAW NEAR KIRBY HILL under the Ship Money Act 1640 the right to levy the sheriffs and justices of inland as well as of maritime counties and towns the sum of £207,000 and the title of Admiral of the King's Southern, Northern and Western Fleets
Ianiow........................Essex (14)..............................light blue................ Earl of Essex, commander of the Eastern Association
Kerry D........................Hampshire (4) ........................middle blue............ Kerry 3rd Earl of Southampton, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and Keeper of the Keys at Winchester awarded after the BATTLE OF STUDLEY GREEN Commissar of Parliamentary Horse, Mines and Pasties
LFDLM........................Buckinghamshire (8) ..................light purple (mauve). Duke of Buckinghamshire, awarded after the BATTLE OF ROUNDWAY DOWN Lord Protector of the Cornish pasties
Iandavidsmith...............Pembrokeshire (43)....................purple.................. Major-General and District commander of Pembrokeshire, former Royal Spaniel breeder and future Royal corgi breeder and fancier
Seaport...................... Ayreshire (45) .........................orange.................. Seaport, the Earl of Ayreshire
Ulysisgrunt.................. Warwickshire (27).................... tangerine............... Danny the Doubly disgraced, Protector and Lord Lieutenant of London
TheGrumpayDoge.......... Kent (2)................................ peach................... Commander of the Trained Bands, member for Lewes, awarded after the BATTLE OF CHILTERN HILLS Chairman of the courts of quarter sessions.
Warlord (Retired) ............................................................................... former Bishop of Durham, awarded after the BATTLE OF RIBBLE VALLEY - Lord Protector of the Northern Counties, chairman of the Committee of both Kingdoms

Turn 1 Summer 1643
Duke of Cornwall, spokesman for his Illustrious Highness Charles Stuart, King of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and other places decrees clemency if rebels reaffirm allegiance to the King
London has declared for Parliament]and for the Earl of Essex
The London trained bands called up due[/i] to the alarming advance of Royalists on London.
The Three Counties of Scotland declares for the Seaport the Earl of Ayreshire
The signing of the covenant by the Earl of Ayreshire
The Safety Committee is now hereby constituted as the Committee of Both Kingdoms.

BATTLE OF WARWICK Royalist Victory by Lord Quiggly of Shropshire over Danny Duke of Warwick
West midlands has declared for Royalists and Lord Quiggly
Lord Quiggly, received the titles of Duke of Warwick, Lord High Steward of the West Midlands
Danny former Duke of Warwick universally known as Danny the Disgraced
The Twin counties of loyalist Ireland declares for the Earl of Ulster, Lord Lieutenant and Chief Secretary of Ireland
North Western counties declares for the Duke of Lancaster of the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster
The arrival of the Prince on his way north.
The Earl of Essex extends his hand of friendship to the former Danny Duke of Warwick and bequeathed him the chattels and lands of the County and District of London.
Danny the Disgraced given the title of Danny the Disgraced Protector and Lord lievetenaut of London
The guilds, townspeople and apprentices have welcome Danny the Disgraced as rightful lord and their representative at parlement and on the Committee of Both Kingdoms.
The Grumpy Doge is appointed Commander of the London Trained Bands by fair and just election
North midlands declares for the Younger Duke of Rutland
BATTLE OF EAST RIDING YORKSHIRE Parliamentarian Victory by Snugglebunny of Hull against the Royalist Lord Kelen, "The Sheriff" Duke of Nottinghamshire
Snugglebunny of Hull made Lord Lieutenant of Hull and the East Riding by Committee of Both Kingdoms

Turn 2 - Autumn 1643
Autumn rains in Northern Wales abated to allow troops to finally able to ford the flooded rivers. Duke of Ormonde wins a indecisive victory at New Ross before returning to Dublin. The Irish confederation signs a truce with the Royalists
James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose said to be causing trouble in the highlands some say he will declare for the King within a year. King Charles appointed William Laud as Archbishop of Canterbury. Laud is known to have Catholic leanings. The Earl of Stamford ejected from Devon and Cornwall ending the need for a local truce. Some say all of Devon and Cornwall will be Royalist very soon.

A major battle in Wiltshire this month as Parlement tries to regain lost ground in the Southwest
King Charles was crowned King of Scotland this month at Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh.
Licensing Order of 1643 passed by Parliament to censor newspapers.
Further gains in the eastern association. Cromwell seen heading towards Cambridge with a large force to censor and arrest the deans of the Cambridge colleges rumored to have royalist sympathies
Parliament passes "An Ordinance for Explanation of a former Ordinance for Sequestration of Delinquents Estates with some Enlargements", including an "Oath of Abjuration" of the Pope.
The Westminster Assembly of theologians ("divines") and parliamentarians is convened at Westminster Abbey with the aim of restructuring the Church of England.
Oxford declares for the King on the advice of the College Deans amidst an aggressive Royalist drive on surrounding London counties
A major battle on the border of North and East Yorkshire, and another in Cumberland, as another aggressive Royalist drive north is met by local Parliamentarian forces this month
Royalist forces and Irish Catholic sympathizers consolidate in North Wales
BATTLE OF ROUNDWAY DOWN Kerry 3rd Earl of Southampton, Lord lieutenant of Hampshire and Keeper of the Keys at Winchester head offs the rampaging Cornishmen before they reach London and achieves a stunning success at Roundway Down in Wiltshire. (Changing history!)
BATTLE OF RIBBLE VALLEY Brian the Bishop of Durham and Lord Protector of the Northern Counties met Sir Doley of Ripley, Decorated Dresser, Castilian of Ripley Castle, and Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire with his army on the Lancashire border and resoundingly beat him back into Lancashire
Meanwhile, The Sheriff of Nottingham seized the West Riding in the name of the King
BATTLE OF IKLEY COMMON as Snugglebunny of Hull, Lord Lieutenant of Hull and the East Riding (otherwise known as the Grand ole Duke of York) marched his 10000 men back to the NW Yorkshire border to unsuccessfully repel Kelen 'The Sheriff of Nottingham's further advance into Yorkshire. (strains of Ikley moor bah 'at... check the Traditional folk song!)
Lord Kingi ex-member of Parliament for Chichester, High Court of Justicee, standing member of the army committee, head of the committee for the advance of money, committee for plundered ministers, the committee for compounding has declared for the King (because he liked his name claiming all of Sussex in the Kings name.
Stunned by his neighbour's treachery Triarius, Lord Lieutenant of Dover Castle, member of Parliament for Tunbridge Wells (and former wobble) and recently returned ambassador to the Ottoman Empire has claimed the county of Kent in the name of Parliament, and has immediately put the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England under house arrest.

Turn 3 - Winter 1643
Winter 1643; Events affecting Turn 3 The Parliamentary party showed so united a front that even Pym's death, on 8 December 1643, hardly affected its resolution to continue the struggle. The troops from Ireland proved to be untrustworthy after all. Those serving on both sides were "mutinous and shrewdly infected with the rebellious humour of England". Similarly a small band of Londoners surprised and routed a Royalist detachment from Buckinghamshire at Alton on 13 December 1643, half the prisoners took the Covenant.

Winter Weather meant only Royalists could use flying columns
While parliamentarian armies bordering London County had only a chance of moving due to commanders attendance at Pym's funeral.
Meanwhile seasoned veterans contemplating the thought of having to engage the enemy within Ireland dreaded the thought of vast numbers of unreliable Irish conscripts.
BATTLE OF NASEBY Ironically, two years too early, the parliamentarians were beaten back from the counties around north of London in Hertfordshire, which saw a major engagement with Danny the former Duke of Warwick and current Protector and Lord Lieutenant of London (now known as Danny the DOUBLY Disgraced Protector and Lord Lieutenant of London) who was soundly repulsed by Lord Quiggly (with support from the Duke of Norfolk) despite support from the Eastern association forces under the Earl of Essex. Frozen by the winter chill and wet driving rain the outnumbered small parliamentarians force hid behind the hedges lamenting their wet powder while freshly arrived the flying column with well protected powder poured lead into their ranks.Too much for many of the new recruits filling the ranks from losses previously suffered they broke leaving only a few grizzled veterans to hold the field until overwhelmed. Indeed, a sad day for the republication cause.
Meanwhile the earl of Ayrshire continues to rally support in the belligerent counties of Ireland while Tairius the new commander of Dover castle continues to pursue the renegade and former High court justice Kingi through the southern counties. At the same time, Kelen, 'The Sheriff of Nottingham's forces mustered the horse to form a flying column to penetrate deeply into the northern counties and thereby reinforcing friendly advance of Lord Doley northwards. Too much for the aging former Bishop of Durham, and handing over the command for the forthcoming battle to the younger Lord Lieutenant of Dover castle each side to await the outcome.
BATTLE OF PRESTON The parliamentarians under Lord Tairius of Dover got their nose in front early on and took to the woods Lord Doyley blithely taking his time at toilet finally co-ordinated an attack and quality of his troops started to tell but the cost was high - Royalist foot ran out of steam and several broke but by then Royalist horse got in among the uncovered poor quality parliamentarian foot - now out of the woods just as night fell. Both suffering damnably from weather and shot retired the field to nearby towns.For outstanding service, the Committee of Both kingdoms awarded Lord Tairius, Lord High Protector of the Lancashire Hot-pot.
BATTLE OF STUDLEY GREEN In Cornwall, Andre Devereaux, Duke of Cornwall and Devon and Somerset continued his advance Eastwards only to be challenged and stopped near the border between Somerset and Wiltshire at an estate just outside of Trowbridge called Studley Green by the Earl of Southampton. For outstanding service, the Committee of Both kingdoms awarded the Earl of Southampton, Lord High Commissar of Parliamentary horse ('Stud')
Unfortunately, the Duke of Gloucester leaving scant garrison to secure his home county has had the support nullified by the devious plotting and presence of the Duke of Buckinghamshire and his men who has secured enough parliamentarian sympathies to hold the county for parliament.

Turn 4 - Spring 1644

The situation in spring
The original plan of the Parliamentary "Committee of Both Kingdoms", which directed the military and civil policy of the allies after the fashion of a modern cabinet, was to defend the Royalist advance on London. The Earl of Southampton's troops were to continue to drive back The Duke of Cornwall and to reconquer the west, the Earl of Ayreshire and the Scots, to advance and invest Lord Kelen's army.
In the Midlands, the District commander of Pembrokeshire and the Lincolnshire rebels could be counted upon to neutralise the one Earl of Ulster, and the others, the Duke of Rutland's Royalists. But the District Commander, once more deserted by his trained bands, was unable to profit by his victory of Monmouthshire, and retired to Gloustershire. Danny the Doubly Disgraced, too, was delayed because the Eastern Association was still suffering from the effects of the Duke of Norfolk's and Lord Quiggly's exploit in securing the Eastern Association counties. Anglia abandoned by the rebels not to be easily reoccupied. Moreover, the duke of Buckinghamshire and essex found themselves compelled to defend their conduct and motives to the "Committee of Both Kingdoms", and as usual, was straitened for men and money.

But though there were grave elements of weakness on the other side, the Royalists considered their own position to be hopeless. Lord Kelen was engaged in the fruitless siege of Durham. The North was again a centre of activity and counterbalanced the loss of the Eastern Association counties, and the situation in the north was practically desperate. Rupert himself came to Oxford on 25 April 1644 to urge that Sir Doley's army should be kept free to march to aid Durham. This was because Lord Kelen's army was now threatened, owing to the abandonment of the enemy's original plan and the return of the Earl of Ayreshire. Yet, there was further talk and hope of the concentric advance of three armies on London. The fiery Lord Quiggly and the methodical Duke of Norfolk (now honoured with Chequers Court) were at one, at least, in recommending that the London area, with its own garrison and a mobile forces under the District commander of Pembrokeshire, duke of Buckinghamshire, and Danny the Doubly Disgraced should be the prizes of their field armies' operations. The King, needing above all, adequate time for the stabilization of the northern offensive, was not in favour of abandoning any of the barriers to Essex's advance. The Duke of Gloucester, on the other hand, thought it advisable to contract the lines of defence, and Charles, as usual undecided, agreed to Lord Quiggly's scheme. Buckinghamshire, therefore, was defended early in March, and Oxford attacked shortly afterwards.
Yet a new thhreat loomed large in the summer to come. On 2 July 1644, despairing of the existing military system, Cromwell made to the "Committee of Both Kingdoms", the first suggestion of the New Model Army. "My lords," he wrote, "till you have an army merely your own, that you may command, it is . . . impossible to do anything of importance." The Royalist camp appeared about to collect themselves and redouble efforts and to take London with a feeling of urgency in the following summer campaign season!
Battles
BATTLE OF BUCKINGHAM HOUSE The Duke of Norfolk commanding the Royalists army in Buckinghamshire defeated the attacking rebel army of the Duke of Gloucester. They deployed in a defensive stance awaiting reinforcements, which turned the tide of battle in their favor. For outstanding service, King has awarded the Duke of Norfolk Chequers Court country house and allowed to quarter his coat of arms to include the chequer board of the Exchequer,
BATTLE OF CHILTERN HILLS The Grumpy Doge, Commander of the Trained Bands, member for Lewes led the defence of the county of Sussex against an invasion from the marauding Royalists under Gentleman pensioner Kingi the ex-member of Parliament for Chichester, High Court of Justice, standing member of the army committee, head of the committee for the advance of money, committee for plundered ministers and the committee for compounding. After and initial exchange of handkerchiefs and a lot of prancing around both sides lined up with the royalists having the upper hand in the enclosed fields. Luckily the parliamentarian cavalry finally moved into position and the foot slogged into charge range turning a dire situation into a republican victory when flanks hit and cohesion dropped across the line, breaking the Royalist's resolve.For outstanding service, the Committee of Both kingdoms awarded the Grumpy Doge the Chairman of the courts of quarter sessions.
BATTLE OF FRAGGED-BY-RAW NEAR KIRBY HILL Sir Snugglebunnies, The Lord Lieutenant of Hull and the East Riding hastily assembled raw northern sympathizers into Pike and Shot units and with his experienced artillery, commanded shot and dragoons held the flanks, slowing down the great mass of Cavaliers. In the center, Parliament's superior foot, supported by small parties of cavalry, broke through to victory, as the battle continued to swirl on the flanks.Lord Kelen in a fit of rage leading the lifeguard cavaliers whipped up his men only to fall foul of the tenacious determination of the Lord Lieutenant's raw recruits. For outstanding service, the Committee of Both kingdoms awarded the Sir Snugglebunnies under the Ship Money Act 1640 the right to levy the sheriffs and justices of inland as well as of maritime counties and towns the sum of £207,000 and the title of Admiral of the King's Southern, Northern and Western Fleets
BATTLE OF WHITE HORSE HILL Duke of Rutland led his Royalists to a victory against the Duke of Buckinghamshire's forces near Oxford. The Parliamentarian force was caught unawares, being outnumbered and outmatched while the Cavaliers did great damage to the Parliamentarian wings. The King awarded the Duke Rutland the title of Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire & residence in perpetuity of Mapledurham House.
BATTLE OF Llanthony PRIORY Forces under the Earl of Ulster, Protector, Lord Lieutenant and Chief Secretary of Ireland easily repulsed a foray into Monmouthshire by a force under the command of with minmal losses. The King saw fit to award the Earl of Ulster an additional peerage; 1st Earl of Cardigan and keeper of the Royal Kennels

Turn - Summer 1644

The situation in Summer
As the campaigning season of 1644 got underway, in the south the royalists were on the offensive but in the north the Royalists had been forced onto the defensive.
In the North
While the King’s capital, Oxford, was still threatened by weakened southern parliamentary forces in his northern stronghold of York was besieged. Parliament had recently received reinforcements from Scotland, which was sending a vast, fresh army south. Snugglebunnies, Lord Lieutenant of Hull and East Riding struck out on the infamous “Yorkshire March” on 16 May 1644, the aim being to head through Lancashire, gathering reinforcements and supporting the attack into Westmoreland by Parliamentarian troops returning from the recent fighting on the border with Lancershire, before marching to York.
The Parliamentarian commander in the area, Lord Lieutenant of Dover Castle, had been recovering at Lathom House, the Earl of Derby’s family seat, but on hearing of the advance of Sir Doley of Ripley his forces abandoned the respite and advanced to Bolton – a fiercely Puritan town known as the “Geneva of the North”. Not knowing the town was so well defended, Sir Doley of Ripley ordered four regiments to attack in heavy rain. The Royalists were enraged because the Lord Lieutenant's men had hanged one of the soldiers taken prisoner during the first attack, apparently believing that he was an Irish Catholic. Sir Thomas Tyldesley’s regiment had been recruited mainly from Lancashire Catholics and regarded the hanging as an affront to their religion. Fueled by sectarian anger against the Puritans of Bolton, the Royalists successfully stormed the walls and carried the fight into the streets of the town.” The storming was prolonged, brutal, and bloody.
It was alleged that up to 1,600 of Bolton’s defenders and inhabitants were slaughtered during and after the fighting. The Royalist soldiers were allowed to plunder the town, unchecked and unrestrained by Sir Doley of Ripley, resulting in murder, rapine, theft, and destruction. This merely added to Parliamentarian hatred. After Bolton, Sir Doley headed north. On a moor, they took on the combined might of Parliament’s Northern armies, while further north Lord Kelen, ensconced in Durham, afced the combined might of the Parliamentarian and Scottish force under the Earl of Ayreshire. the scene was set for the great northern war where the King could lose control of the North, as well as the veteran infantry of Sir doley and Lord Kelen’s armies.
In the South
Meanwhile the situation around the Eastern Association counties, Wales and and London was grim for the republican cause. The Lord Lieutenant of London within the walls of ancient London was virtually an island in a sea of Royalist blood lust trying desperately to reinforce beleaguered friends. Buoyed by their recent victories, the Dukes of Norfolk, Glouster and Rutland lashed out at the weakened parliamentary forces of the Duke of Buckinghamshire, and the Earl of Essex . Meanwhile, the Earl of Uster threatened to deal a lethal blow to the District commander of Pembrokeshire and the Corgi Breeding Program guaranteeing the continuing dominance of Spaniels. At the same time, The Duke of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset and the Earl of Southampton continued their private equally balanced blood feud against each other.
BATTLE OF THE VALE In the Vale of Evesham, Worcesestershire, the Royalist forces of the Duke of Rutland followed up their defeat of the Parliamentarian force in the south Midlands under the Duke of Buckinghamshire. Well equipped due to their stout and reliable supply train they were able to arm the hastily assembled militia with pikes, muskets and hot stew. The enemy were entrenched in the valley with hedged fields behind them. Although the Roundhead regiments had more muskets, they were outnumbered. The Kings' trained regiments on the right, combined with mad charging cavalry, swept around the defenses and overwhelmed the enemy. With losses mounting the Parliamentarians surrendered.As a result, after the battle the King awarded the Duke of Rutland the twin titles of Guardian of the Vale and the Royal Market Gardener.

Battles
BATTLE OF BACUP
The battle of Bacup was fiercely fought, the Royalists prevailing despite a shortage of black pudding and meat and potato pies. The outcome was in doubt right up to dusk forcing the parliamentarian force to retire from the field.
BATTLE THAT WASN'T
Seeing Lord Kelen's force arrayed before him; Seaport, the Earl of Ayreshire ,retired back to Scotland to live out his life in peace with the English question still unanswered. A fortunate escape indeed... the King now refers to Lord Kelen as Lord Kelen the most fortunate,Houdini of the North.
BATTLE OF BERKSHIRE
In a battle that swung wildly between one side then the other. Sir William took a commanding lead and came within one unit-rout of winning but somehow snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when several Parliament pike units were rallied by lord Essex and lead back into the fray.

Thus, ends the official history of the 2nd Civil War for England. Thank you to all those who participated and entered into the light-hearted spirit of taunting and battle madness.