The main event at the club this weekend was the second season of battle in Doug Rains' War of the Roses campaign. Nine players took part in the "Summer Season" of the first year of the campaign. The battle was a bloody affair with the forces of York being drawn-and-quartered by the House of Lancaster's forces. After an initial assault by the York armies the battle quickly turned against them and total annihilation was only adverted by the late arrival of York reinforcements that kept them in the game. After the completion of this battle both sides have won one battle and the deciding battle for the first year of the campaign will be fought in June. Below is the recap of the game by Doug Rains:
England
1455 A.D.
Summer
After the abortive battle in the Spring, the 9 Bastards of St Albans have been joined by a 10th. With cast now full and time for all to organize their forces, Battle was once again joined to put down the uprising of the House of York.
The House of Lancaster was represented by Sir Douglas of Mackie, C-I-C, Sir Andrew, Baronet of Plume, Sir Jonathan of Lizard Rock and Sir Douglas of Monteagle. Sir Jeffery of Meadow Park was absent due to laurels being presented to his daughter.
The House of York was represented by Sir Robert of Elmwood, C-I-C, Sir Luis, Baronet de la Rochelle, Sir Brian of Firenze and Sir Edward of Lancaster. Sir Joseph of Churchwood arrived late to the field after closing up shop and entered on the right flank.
This season, having control of both Towns and Bishops, the House of Lancaster chose the favored ground and chose the order of deployment for the House of York. The Lancastrians deployed With Sir Douglas of Mackie on the extreme left, Sir Andrew on the center left, Sir Jonathan on the center right and Sir Douglas of Monteagle on the exposed extreme right. The Yorkists deployed with Sir Brian on the extreme left, Sir Robert on the center left, Sir Edward on the center right and Sir Luis on the extreme right. Sir Joseph arrived on turn 3 on the extreme right as well.
On the center left, Sir Robert established a broad line attempting the pummel the Lancastrians’s with artillery, with which he was unbelievable supplied, having 2 devil spawned batteries belching their foul brimstone smelling smoke. This came to no avail as the stout hearted Englishmen of Sir Andrew and Sir Jonathan marched down their throats and slaughtered their evil attendants. Sir Douglas of Mackie pushed forward as well, slowed by the swamp to his front. Sir Douglas of Monteagle, anchored on the town declining the right flank, knowing he would have to face both Sir Luis and Sir Joseph. A couple of elements were posted in a wood on the extreme right preventing Sir Joseph from deploying on the Lancastrian rear. Once again the House of York, with the exception of Sir Luis, stood their ground and waited for the Lancastrian assault. Sir Luis pushed forward into the empty ground on the right and was able to destroy the isolated elements and several would be rescuers but only after a prolonged struggle. Although perilously close to breaking, Sir Douglas was able to reform his line and bring Sir Luis to the same state. During this struggle, much to his shame, Sir Luis constantly cried for succor from Sir Edward and Sir Joseph. Much to his credit, despite a string of setbacks in movement worthy of a pink die, Sir Joseph marched to the orders and aid of his commander Sir Robert in the center. While Sir Luis and Sir Douglas faced off, Sir Andrew and Sir Robert closed with both locked in pitched battle for what seemed like hours until Sir Robert fell and Richard of York (primary Heir of York) was captured by Sir Andrew. Sir Robert’s forces broke and fled. Sir Douglas of Mackie pushed into the swamps and tenaciously fought Sir Brian but alas the disadvantage was too great and his forces broke and fled the field leaving Sir Douglas and the King alone on the field. In the center right, Sir Jonathan pressed Sir Edward sorely and pushed him back and around the town. Sir Edwards Pikes were stout to a man but continued to be pushed back (It happens when you’re not on top of a hill) until one element reached the pond against which all had been warned. Eyewitnesses swear that an element of Pike pushed to the very edge was pulled into the water and drowned by a Terrible Thing. (I warned them but did they listen? NO!) The horror of it caused Sir Edward’s Army to break and flee the field. Sir Jonathan’s Mercenaries immediately attacked and sacked the Yorkist camp. Back to the left, with the victory hanging in the balance, Sir Andrew pressed alone into the flank of Sir Brian’s forces (We’re back to that King Arthur thing again!) while the rest of his forces attacked. While gallant but very foolish, at the moment that his army broke the back of the Yorkist side and caused it rout, Sir Andrew himself fell and Richard of York was released while alas our good Queen Margaret of Anjou (secondary Heir to Lancaster) was taken captive.
While some may say that Sir Joseph played little part in the battle being unable to reach combat, I say that the only reason the battle was as close as it was is because the additional troops of Sir Joseph allowed the Yorkists to stand horrendous casualties and stay in the fight. Without him, our good Queen would never have been captured. Lancaster will remember. Sir Douglas of Mackie, as the winning commander promoted Sir Brian and Sir Jonathan to Baronet.
The year 1455 now stands with one victory for the House of York and one for the House of Lancaster. The Fall battle will decide which house will stand ascendant for Winter is Coming!
As the cast is now full, it behooves me to introduce the players.
Cast of Characters
Sir Andrew, Baronet of Plume (The Traitor)
Sir Brian, Baronet of Firenze (The Clever)
Sir Douglas of Mackie (The Impetuous)
Sir Douglas of Monteagle (The Crafty)
Sir Edward of Lexington (The Not Nearly so Impetuous as Sir Douglas)
Sir Jeffery of Meadow Park (The Merciless)
Sir Jonathan, Baronet of Lizard Rock (The Bald Bastard)
Sir Joseph of Churchwood (The Merchant of London)
Sir Luis, Baronet de la Rochelle (The Whiner)
Sir Robert of Elmwood (The Wizard)
Respectfully,
Your Chronicler
