This evening’s main event was the latest installment of Doug Rains’ War of the Roses campaign. Nine players participated in this month’s battle representing the Fall battle season of 1456 A.D. The Lancastrians were outnumbered five to four by the forces of York as one of the Lancastrians was unable to partake in the battle. With the numerical advantage, the Yorkists forced the battle by attacking the Lancastrian right wing. Supported by troops from the center, the York forces were able to drive back the Lancastrian left and eventually break the moral of the entire Lancastrian army. With their victory, the Yorkist generals dispatched one of Lancastrian nobility that was captured during the battle by separating his head from the rest of his body.
Next month will see the start the of Spring battle-season of 1457 where the forces of York will attempt to build upon the advantage they’ve won last season.
Below is the official recap of the battle from our esteemed chronicler...
England
1456 A.D.
Fall
Alas, your Chronicler has once again been remiss in relating the account of the great battle in the Fall of 1456. Renovations of a Manor in the city and dealing with craftsmen, laborers and scurrilous suppliers have taken up far too much time. Said Manor will be rented to visiting nobility at such scandalous rates that it has occurred to your Chronicler that he is in dire peril of being mistaken for a “merchant”. Gasp! Such terrible depths to which we have fallen! Before the narrative begins there are two matters of comment. First, we are saddened to hear that the Triple S Brewery and Pub is closing which means that our favorite Noble Bard Lord Lamont will have lost the venue for his performances that allowed him to sing multiple songs. For the time being we shall have to be satisfied with limited performances. Lord Lamont assures me that when another suitable venue is found he will let us all know. Second, I have been approached by Lord Monteagle who asked me to offer his sincere and humble apology to Lord Luis for the vulgar epitaph he hurled at him. After all, while a Frenchman, Lord Luis is our very most bestest favorite…Frenchman,
On to the battle. The House of Lancaster was represented by Sir Jeffery, Baronet of Meadow Park, C-I-C (One begins to believe that his reputation as an aggressive leader and fighter may be somewhat inflated.), Sir Edward of Lexington, Lord Douglas, Baron of Monteagle and Sir Andrew, Baronet of Plume. The House of York was represented by Sir Brian, Baronet of Firenze, C-I-C, Sir Douglas, Baronet of Mackie, Sir Robert, Baronet of Elmwood, Lord Luis, Baron de la Rochelle and late to the field Sir Joseph, Baronet of Churchwood. Sir Jonathan, Baronet of Lizard Rock was once again absent and attempts at communication have failed. We fear that he has fallen in some undocumented calamity.
Lancaster controlled the Towns and so had choice of field. York controlled the Bishops and so controlled the matching of opponents.
The forces of Lancaster took the field with the left flank refused, Sir Edward on the middle left, Lord Douglas in the center, Sir Jeffery in the right center and Sir Andrew on the far right. York matched Lancaster by also refusing the left flank with Sir Douglas on the middle left, Sir Brian in the center, Sir Robert on the center right and Lord Luis on the far right. Sir Joseph’s Levies appeared on the far left when he arrived on the field.
As the battle commenced, Sir Edward, who had been tasked with holding the left flank, set up an impenetrable wall of troops that anchored on a small hamlet. It was a great wall, an awesome wall, nay a truly magnificent wall, a wall that could not be Trumped and that would not be moved and in fact didn’t move. Oh yea, he put a couple guys on a hill too. Lord Monteagle and Sir Andrew rushed forward to battle and between them Sir Jeffery kind of shuffled off in the general direction of the York forces. The Yorkists rushed forward in a coordinated assault against the center and right and daunted by Sir Edward’s wall, left it completely alone. This left Lord Monteagle facing Sir Douglas and Sir Brian, Sir Robert against Sir Jeffery and Lord Luis against Sir Andrew. Both Lord Monteagle and Sir Andrew fought nobly but in their advanced positions, with flanks left uncovered by Sir Jeffery, took heavy casualties and were quickly overwhelmed. As they fell, Sir Jeffery’s flanks were left exposed and he also took heavy losses. When Sir Joseph arrived on the field he took one look at Sir Edward’s wall and immediately attacked the guys on the hill. Due to a deployment error, Sir Joseph killed one of the guys on the hill which pushed the Lancastrians over the edge and their remnants fled the field. Sir Edward, despondent over the loss on the hill, fled with them. The house of York stood triumphant on the field.
In the Parlay after Battle, the Yorkists voted overwhelmingly to remove the head of the captured Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, 4th Heir of Lancaster. This leaves 2 Lancaster Heirs and 4 York Heirs left in play. Following the recent developing custom , Sir Brian promoted himself to Baron and Sir Robert to Baronet.
As the King is still living, no Parliament was called this year.
Things look grim for Lancaster and one can only hope that 1457 will be a kinder year.
Your Chronicler
