Gaming the Crusades

[OB]

I’m currently enjoying Jonathan Phillips excellent biography The Sultan Saladin.  The Crusades is a long- term interest for me and the book has inspired a new project.

In turn this has inspired a series of blog posts on the battles of the period and how the combatants fought.

The first on what we should be looking for in games of Crusading warfare is on my blog.
If it’s of interest here is the link:

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

[Codsticker]

How about a subsection, You Do Not Know The East?

[OB]

  it has a certain ring to it.

[has.been]

I see there is a 'supplement' for Lion Rampant. It covers the Crusades.

[BeneathALeadMountain]

Interesting post OB, what rules do you intend to use? Are there any you’d recommend or warn against?
As someone with and old English/Norse heritage (with a military themed family name) and a Middle Eastern wife and family in law (their tribal/family name is where we get the word fierce) I probably have links to both sides and have always been interested in the crusades but have never gamed it (unless you count Lego and airfix chaps when little). Just what every war gamer needs - another period of interest 

Keep up the good work I’m going to peruse your blog.
Stay safe and well,
BALM

[OB]

Quite some time ago there was a Crusades Rule set by Dr Brendan Moyles called Shattered Lances.  It proved popular and there was a supporting website.  Lots of good things about Shattered Lances in terms of real period flavour.  It was particularly good on the Ghulam  wave attack. The website is now gone but the rules are still available from Outpost Wargames Services.

I also very much enjoyed Ager Sanguinis by James Roache, again lots of flavour and some good mechanisms. Ager Sanguinis is a Piquet influenced game. I've had some great games with it.  James's plans for a second edition are currently on hold. 

Currently I'm very interested in adapting Never Mind The Billhooks into a Crusades rule set.  So much so that I'm having a trial run this week.  The post on my blog was really to ensure the essentials of battle in Outremer stuck in my mind.  I hoped it might prove interesting to others too.  If my test game proves successful I'll write it up on my blog with a link here. So far, it's looking promising.

Yes, I saw the Lion Rampant Crusades book is now available. I'm hoping someone will review it.

[Sir_Theo]

Nice blog post, I'll look forward to future entries.

The Crusades are a fascinating subject, and while I've never gamed any of it as an adult I remember one of my first ever forays into wargaming came when I got a copy of the 'Outremer' board game as a teenager.

[OB]

Thanks Sir Theo, there should be another Crusades post up tomorrow.

[OB]

Part 2 of my series on Crusading Warfare is now up on my blog.  It is mainly about archery and its tactical importance to both Franks and Muslims.  If it’s of interest here is the link.

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

[Atheling]

Nice article. 

Salah ad-Din Yusef ibn Ayyub would be proud

[OB]

Thanks Atheling.  He was an interesting lad.

[janner]

Are these Legio Heroica 15s?

[OB]

Top pic, yes.  Bottom pic Outpost Wargame Service.  They mix well enough.

[janner]

Oh, I hadn’t heard of them - excellent!

Thank you 

[OB]

 You are welcome  If you are looking for figures compatible with the Legio Heroica range I've found Museum Miniatures infantry work quite well too.