Yesterday saw three games being played at the club. Included were WFG 2.0 Almost Written, Star Wars: X-Wing, and the latest installment of the club's monthly War of the Roses campaign. WFG was put on by game creator Walt Williams and the scenario was set early during World War II. Peter Hope and his son hosted the Star Wars game where Imperial forces attempted to prevent the escape of group of rebels stealing Top Secret Imperial plans. The War of the Roses campaign was the playing of the Spring season of fighting of 1458. Eight players took part and the result of the battle was a Lancastrian victory. The campaign is set to continue until only one heir to the English throne survives!
Below is a recap of the Fall 1457 campaign season as written by campaign scribe Doug Rains:
England
1457 A.D.
Fall
The third meeting in battle between the Houses of Lancaster and York in the Fall of 1457 continued the trend established in the summer battle. The House of Lancaster was represented by Sir Joseph the Merchant, Baronet of Churchwood, C-I-C, Sir Edward of Lexington, Sir Douglas, Baronet of Mackie and Lord Brian, Viscount of until recently Firenze. The House of York was represented by Sir Andrew, Baronet of Plume, C-I-C, Sir Jeffery, Baronet of Meadow Park and Lord Douglas, Baron of Monteagle. Absent from this tumultuous conflict were Sir Robert, Baronet of Elmwood, down with a bit of the plague and kindly refusing to share with all, Lord Luis, Baron de la Rochelle and Lord Jonathan, Baron of Lizard Rock. The whereabouts of the last two are unknown, perhaps attending a Lords conference somewhere concerning the proper shade of pink and amount of padding for Ladies undergarments.
Lancaster controlled the towns and had choice of field. York controlled the Bishops and chose the matchups.
In a turnaround from the Summer battle, this time the House of York was outnumbered but at least Sir Jeffery was not in charge, Sir Andrew was. Lancaster deployed with Sir Edward on the far left opposite that big, beautiful, perfect hill, Sir Joseph on the near left, Sir Douglas on the near right and Lord Brian on the far right. After some discussion on which side, York refused the far left flank. The reasoning being that Sir Edward might be preoccupied by that perfect hill. Sir Jeffery deployed on the near left, Sir Andrew on the near right and Lord Monteagle on the far right. The battle account must start on the far left. Sir Edward advanced and brutally subjugated the unoccupied perfect hill. The ruthlessness with which he accomplished this chills the blood. With his Pikes firmly entrenched on the hill it is reported that Sir Edward celebrated its capture with a picnic lunch and observed the carnage occurring further to the right. Sir Joseph advanced on Sir Jeffery who, unclear on the concept of refusing the flank, dashed forward to meet him with a flank completely exposed to Sir Edward on the hill. In his defense, Sir Jeffery’s troops proceeded to pound Sir Joseph to the brink of demoralization. I guess it can happen with a merchant in charge. Eventually, Sir Edward did dispatch troops to attack Sir Jeffery’s flank putting him in great peril. On the near right, Sir Andrew advanced on Sir Douglas on the widest front that his army could manage. It is surprising that a career military man would have so little understanding of the concept of reserves but apparently both he and Sir Jeffery are not good choices for C-I-C. (Sir Andrew keeps muttering under his breath something about Tanks in line abreast.) Sir Douglas proceeded to smash Sir Andrew’s right but was unable to capitalize on the success because of his deployment and his preoccupation with helping Lord Brian. On the far right Lord Brian advanced as far as a small village and stopped for fear of a Warband deployed behind the village by Lord Monteagle. Lord Monteagle was planning a thrust around the village into Sir Brian’s rear however the Hobilars detailed for this attempt were unhorsed by the Terrible Thing that lives in the pond behind the village. Not only did the TT rout the Hobilars, it ate every messenger sent to the archers detailed to support the flanking maneuver. The result left them standing in the background for virtually the entire battle. Never the less, with only half his army, Lord Monteagle advanced on Lord Brian who cowered behind the village. As has been mentioned in the past, Lord Brian is favored by a Goddess and he was able to fend off powerful attacks through a goodly helping of blind luck. At this point in the battle the mounting losses suffered by Sir Andrew and Sir Jeffery broke the will of York to continue the fight. York fled the field in disgrace. Oh for a competent C-I-C.
In the after battle parlay, Lancaster again had several York Heirs to choose from and voted overwhelmingly to remove the head of Richard, Duke of Gloucester. To their dismay, Sir Douglas produced a King’s Pardon and the Duke was released without the loss of his head. Perhaps one could speculate on the identity of Sir Douglas’ secret patron? As the winning C-I-C, Sir Joseph promoted Sir Edward to Baronet for his spirited capture of the hill and Sir Douglas to Baron for his rough handling of Sir Andrew.
With half of the Heirs eliminated, 2 remain for Lancaster and 3 for York, this War is far from over. The houses will meet again in the Spring of 1458.
Your Chronicler