Fedem and I have now started our campaign with Fedem playing Lancastrians and I Yorkists. I will use this post to report the progress in the campaign.
Episode 1 Blore Heath 1459
Lancastrians – Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham; John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury.
Yorkists – Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury; Lord William Hastings.
L 15/38 beat Y 33/31.
Lancastrians 5pts (won battle) + 2pts (Yorkist nobles killed in battle) = 7pts
Yorkists 0
Notes: Both Richard Neville and Lord William Hastings were killed in the battle. (Trustworthy sources tells that the Lancastrians cowardly attacked the Earl in the back, and many now say that this battle put an end to honour and chivalry.) The Yorkist line of defence was stretched very thin from the beginning, and when the Lancastrian cavalry outflanked the Yorkist left flank and turned to attack from behind, the battle was soon lost for the Yorkists.
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Episode 4 Northampton 1460
Lancastrians – Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham; Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset; John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury.
Yorkists – Edward Plantagenet, Earl of March; Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick; John Neville, Marquess of Montagu.
Y 50/53 beat L 50/45.
Lancastrians 0
Yorkists 10pts (won battle)
Notes: Very bloody battle. The Lancastrians lost 6800 men and the Yorkists lost 8400 men.
From campaign text:
Yorkist victory – King Henry VI is captured and imprisoned. His mental health is very poor. Succession Event. An Act of Accord is passed and it is decided that Edward Plantagenet, Earl of March will succeed Henry VI on his death - a situation of dual power now pertains. Margaret of Anjou and Prince Edward flee to Scotland.
Campaign score:
Lancastrian 5pts (battles won) + 2pts (nobles killed) + 2pts (throne 1459) = 9pts
Yorkists 10pts (battles won)
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Episode 5 Wakefield 1460
Lancastrians – Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset; Thomas de Ros, Baron of Helmsley; James Butler, Earl of Wiltshire.
Yorkists – Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York; Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick; William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke.
L 32/34 beat Y 25/25.
Lancastrians 5pts (battle won)
Yorkists 0
Notes: The Yorkist force begun marching forward toward the enemy line. Men-at-arms and billmen in the middle with archers protecting the flanks. The Yorkists initially had the advantage in the battle, but as the Lancastrians flanking forces emerged from the forests, the Yorkist had to defend the flanks and rear. In the end no clear battle lines could be seen, units from both sides were mixed up an eagerly fought to win the battle. Even if many units were beaten and run away, they fought bravely. But one unit, the Sandal garrison, really made a shame of themselves. Four times (four consecutive turns) they cowardly refused to attack a unit of
Lancastrian billmen. If they had attacked their would be a chance this battle had become a draw.
Campaign score:
Lancastrian 10pts (battles won) + 2pts (nobles killed) + 2pts (throne 1459) = 14pts
Yorkists 10pts (battles won)
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Episode 6 Mortimer's Cross 1461
Lancastrians – Jasper Tudor; Thomas de Ros, Baron of Helmsley.
Yorkists – Edward Plantagenet, Earl of March; John Neville, Marquess of Montagu.
Y 23/41 beat L 42/40.
Lancastrians 0
Yorkists 5pts (battle won) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) = 7pts
Notes: Both sides begun with deploying their forces. The Lancastrians sent most of their MF over the stream on their right flank and left their HF in the open area. The Yorkist sent archers in front of their force while their MF positioned themselves on the hill to their right. Meanwhile the HF moved over the hill and formed the Yorkists right flank, facing the Lancastrians HF. The Yorkist cavalry was sent to threaten the extreme left of the Lancastrians. Once in place the Yorkist HF supported by the cavalry attacked the Lancastrians HF and succeeded in outflank the Lancastrians. Meanwhile both sides MF and archers fought a skirmish battle. The Yorkists MF were supported by Edward Plantagenet on the extreme flank. When the Yorkists HF was able to outflank the enemy, the battle soon ended.
In the pursuit the Lancastrian commanders were captured, but they were allowed back to their home with the promised that if any Yorkist commander would see them leading Lancastrian forces again, it would only be their heads that were sent back home...
Campaign score:
Lancastrian 12pts (battles won+nobles killed) + 2pts (throne 1459) = 14pts
Yorkists 15pts (battles won) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) = 17pts
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Episode 7 2nd battle of St Albans 1461
Lancastrians – Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset; Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham; John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury.
Yorkists – John Neville, Marquess of Montagu; Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick; William Neville, Lord Fauconberg.
Draw Y 32/37 vs L 17/39.
Lancastrians 0
Yorkists 0 + 1pts (nobles killed) = 1pts
Notes: The Lancastrians hurried to catch the Yorkists before they could form a line of battle. But the Yorkists managed to form their line in time. Most of the battle the heavy units stood shouting insults at each other while the archers had a shooting contest on the flank. After some skirmish fightings on the other flanks, the heavy units in the centre closed on each other. In the clash Humphrey Stafford lost his head after he lost his footing in the charge.
Campaign score:
Lancastrian 12pts (battles won+nobles killed) + 2pts (throne 1459) = 14pts
Yorkists 15pts (battles won) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) + 1pts (nobles killed) = 18pts
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Episode 10 Skirmish at Ferrybridge 1461
Lancastrians – Thomas de Ros, Baron of Helmsley; James Butler, Earl of Wiltshire.
Yorkists – Edmund, Earl of Rutland; Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick; John Neville, Marquess of Montagu.
Y 19/37 beat L 30/30.
Lancastrians 0
Yorkists 5 + 1pts (nobles killed) + 2pts (royal character present) = 8pts
Notes: James Butler died in battle and Thomas de Ros was executed after being captured in the pursuit.
Campaign score:
Lancastrian 12pts (battles won+nobles killed) + 2pts (throne 1459) = 14pts
Yorkists 20pts (battles won) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) + 2pts (nobles killed) + 2pts (royal character present) = 26pts
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Episode 11 Towton 1461
Lancastrians – Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset; Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter; John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury.
Yorkists – Edward Plantagenet, Earl of March; Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick; John Neville, Marquess of Montagu.
Y 49/50 beat L 59/53.
Lancastrians 0 + 1pts (nobles killed) = 1pts
Yorkists 10pts (battle won)
Notes: The Lancastrian took positions on the hill on their side while the Yorkists sent their archers forward. On the Lancastrians left flank a force advanced and came in contact with a Yorkist force coming late to the battle. Another part of the Yorkists army crossed the stream and attacked the Lancastrians right flank. In the midst of the battle John Neville got his head cut. The battle could have ended in a draw, but with some luck the Yorkists managed to hold the line, fragmented but still a line.
With the Yorkist victory, all Lancastrians flee into exile and Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York is crowned king. Henry VI is deposed and imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Campaign score:
Lancastrian 13pts (battles won+nobles killed) + 2pts (throne 1459) = 15pts
Yorkists 30pts (battles won) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) + 2pts (nobles killed) + 2pts (royal character present) = 36pts
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Episode 12 The Siege of Bamburgh Castle 1464
Lancastrians – John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury.
Yorkists – Richard Plantagenet, of Gloucester.
Draw L 8/10 vs Y 8/19.
Lancastrians 0
Yorkists 0
Notes: Both sides archers shot at the other side's troops. Meanwhile the Yorkists attacked through the gaps in the walls, but the sun set before the Yorkist force could defeat the Lancastrians. Had the attackers had another turn, they would have routed the defenders and John Talbot had lost his head...
Campaign score:
Lancastrian 13pts (battles won+nobles killed) + 2pts (throne 1459) = 15pts
Yorkists 30pts (battles won) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) + 2pts (nobles killed) + 2pts (royal character present) = 36pts
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Episode 13 Hedgeley Moor 1464
Lancastrians – Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset.
Yorkists – Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.
L 29/34 beat Y 41/38.
Lancastrians 5
Yorkists 0
Notes: The Lancastrians took positions upon the central hill while the Yorkists spread their men on three sides of the hill. After the battle the Lancastrians still hold the hilltop, even though Henry Beaufort was routed at one stage of the battle.
Campaign score:
Lancastrian 18pts (battles won+nobles killed) + 2pts (throne 1459) = 20pts
Yorkists 30pts (battles won) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) + 2pts (nobles killed) + 2pts (royal character present) = 36pts
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Episode 14 Hexham 1464
Lancastrians – Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset.
Yorkists – Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.
Y 29/42 beat L 40/40.
Lancastrians 0
Yorkists 5pts (battle won) - 2pts (executing royal character) + 2pts (throne 1464) = 5pts
Notes: After finding the Lancastrian campsite the Yorkists divided their force and surrounded the Lancastrians. When the Lancastrians found themselves surrounded, they attacked the Yorkist's main force. But the Yorkists backed away and let their archers do as much damage before melee. The Lancastrians still succeeded in causing a lot of damage, but in the end their army was broken. Henry Beaufort was captured and executed.
This battle ended the first phase of the campaign.
Campaign score:
Lancastrian 18pts (battles won+nobles killed) + 2pts (throne 1459) = 20pts
Yorkists 35pts (battles won) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) + 2pts (nobles killed) + 2pts (royal character present) - 2pts (executing royal character) + 2pts (throne 1464)= 41pts
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Episode 18 Barnet 1471
Lancastrians – Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick; Jasper Tudor; Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter.
Yorkists – Edward Plantagenet, Earl of March; Lord Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby; Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland.
L 19/48 beat Y 47/47.
Lancastrians 10pts (battle won) + 2pts (royal character killed in battle) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) = 14pts
Yorkists 0
Notes: Both sides right flank attacked the other sides left flank (for both sides these moved backward), so the whole line of battle pivoting at the centre. Lancastrians clearly took advantage of this manoeuvring. In the heat of battle Edward Plantagenet was killed. Rumours tells it was a Lancastrian assassin that had infiltrated Edward's bodyguard and cut Edward's throat when he charged some Lancastrian levy billmen.
Thomas Stanley and Henry Percy were captured in the pursuit, but both were ransomed back.
Campaign score:
Lancastrian 30pts (battles won+nobles/royals killed) + 2pts (throne 1459) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) = 34pts
Yorkists 35pts (battles won) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) + 2pts (nobles killed) + 2pts (royal character present) - 2pts (executing royal character) + 2pts (throne 1464)= 41pts
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Episode 19 Tewkesbury 1471
Lancastrians – Prince Edward of Westminster; Thomas Courtenay, Earl of Devon; Jasper Tudor.
Yorkists – Edmund, Earl of Rutland; William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke; John Howard, Duke of Norfolk.
Y 22/32 beat L 35/32.
Lancastrians 0 + 1pts (noble character killed in battle) = 1pts
Yorkists 10pts (battle won)
Notes: The Yorkist moved their men to the hill on their left flank. Both sides archers sent volley after volley of arrows into the ranks of their enemy. The Lancastrians attacked a section of the Yorkist line, but they were beaten back. William Herbert held the Yorkist extreme right flank and when he spotted Jasper Tudor, William charged with his men. But this day Jasper Tudor was the better of the two nobles and crushed William's head and helmet with a mighty blow.
But this was not enough for the Lancastrians to win the battle.
Campaign score:
Lancastrian 31pts (battles won+nobles/royals killed) + 2pts (throne 1459) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) = 35pts
Yorkists 45pts (battles won) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) + 2pts (nobles killed) + 2pts (royal character present) - 2pts (executing royal character) + 4pts (throne 1464, 1471)= 53pts
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Episode 23 Bosworth Field 1485
Lancastrians – Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond; Lord Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby; Sir William Stanley.
Yorkists – Richard Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester; Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland; John Howard, Duke of Norfolk.
Y 24/40 beat L 40/40.
Lancastrians 0 + 1pts (noble character killed in battle) = 1pts
Yorkists 10pts (battle won) + 2pts (royal character killed in battle) = 12pts
Notes: The Yorkist main contingent took positions on the hill and waited for the advancing Lancastrians. Henry Tudor led the charge, but in the battle he got his heart pierced by a spear. Not far away Henry Percy was killed in the fightings. When nearly half the day had past, both sides got some reinforcements, but at this point the Yorkist advantage was too much for the Lancastrians. The Yorkists made a final push down the hill to end the battle. In the pursuit that followed, both Thomas and William Stanley were captured. No mercy was showed and both were executed.
And so ended the War of the Roses...(this time
)
Campaign score:
Lancastrian 32pts (battles won+nobles/royals killed) + 2pts (throne 1459) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) = 36pts
Yorkists 55pts (battles won) + 2pts (ransomed commanders) + 2pts (nobles killed) + 4pts (royal character present) - 2pts (executing royal character) + 6pts (throne 1464, 1471,1485)= 67pts
nice!
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