I opted to try and recreate the battle ground around Caldec hill and the Hoar apple tree rather than the traditional site. I used the Osprey Hastings book for the numbers with roughly 400 men being a standard unit, and the Hail Caesar Dark Age army list to make each division proportional, and the points to make the armies even.
The book that got me inspired to create this version of the battle. Having visited Battles this battle location makes more sense to me. |
What I'm trying to recreate |
The armies lined up. Ideally I'd have 2.5 ft more either side which would make the board size 8x6 |
The Franco Flemish right wing and Williams smallest division |
The Dukes Normans in the centre |
The Bretons on the left wing |
Earl Leofwine's wing |
King Harolds' centre and his left wing commanded by Earl Gyrth |
Earl Leofwine's men |
King Harold's men, with himself under the tree |
Gyrth's men and Danish mercenarines. The mercenaries were their own division but didn't count to the army break points. |
The kids set off cautiously not knowing the rules |
Lots of arrows and eventually javelins flying between the lines. I made the ground off the hills rough so it was slow going for the Norman main line but ok for lights |
Harold blundered with his skirmishers who all veered to the right inadvertently allowing him to concentrate his shooting on the Franco Flemish |
The Dukes cautious advance begins to tempt Lefowine off the hill |
The Saxon skirmishers get bolder |
Earl Gyrth senses an opportunity an tries to move his Gebur up to support the skirmishers against the Franco Flemish |
The Danes being bolder achieve their move straightening the line but not coming off Caldec hill |
King Harold in the shade |
Time ran out and nibbles called leaving the battle on the cusp of a mighty clash. |
Looks great, impressive mass effect on a wonderful terrain!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome setup! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful and inspiring game. Great looking terrain. I'm hoping to do this game with HC at some point as well.
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