Mortimer's Cross; first go at a proper battle

[max]

So far, i've never actually played a 'historical' battle, so i thought it was time.
I wanted to do a battle from the Wars of the Roses, being my favorite period and already having a bunch of minis ready to go (148 in fact  ). I plumped for Mortimer's Cross and got out the books.

It's currently in research stages. There are no accurate numbers (on the web i found between 6000 and 22 000 men in total and my books say the numbers are 'unknown') so i will take an educated guess. At least the casualties are known, between 3000 and 4000, mostly lancastrian (in the rout i'm sure).

I have names of nobles who were there, so some coats of arms research will follow, and we all know what fun that is  (and plenty of  ). One example is Lord Audley, who is on Edward's side, who is different from the Lord Audley who was killed at Blore Heath.
Good job i enjoy this sort of thing.

I will be posting a thread to show my progress (mainly figure painting, and maybe some specific terrain) and it will be a long project, will exams coming in and all that (it's never slowed me before though  )

[Dave Knight]

As I commented on your blog I will be following with great interest

[Hildred Castaigne]

The best of luck to you, max!

I will be particularly interested to see Ormond.

[Arlequín]

The Lord Audley you mention is the other one's son... he went over to the 'other side' after he was captured in the brief attempt to re-capture Calais by Somerset.

I can't help with numbers, I'm afraid, but if they numbered above 3,000 per side, I'd be surprised.

Good Luck though! 

[max]

Maybe 2500 for Lancaster and 3500 for Edward? I found these on a site, so i might use these as a base.

The Lord Audley you mention is the other one's son... he went over to the 'other side' after he was captured in the brief attempt to re-capture Calais by Somerset.

Found that out, thanks for the verification.

I will be particularly interested to see Ormond.

He's probably the trickiest bit, and most interesting! I have some ideas for the troops and going to make a gallowglaich tomorrow as a test.

[Arlequín]

Maybe 2500 for Lancaster and 3500 for Edward? I found these on a site, so i might use these as a base.

Maybe the other way around? I gather that Edward was raising the retinues of the Marcher Lords of his father's affinity, along with the Herberts and co, while Tudor and Ormond had essentially two small armies, probably raised through royal commissions, as well as various retainers. 

I have nothing with which to back that up with though... 

[Captain Blood]

Looking forward to your progress Max 
Bon chances!

[Fire-at-Will]

Played it two years back on the anniversary of the battle




We used the orbats from the Poleaxed source book

[Sirolf]

Fire-at-Will,

That looks amazing, can we have a link to more pictures?

[max]

@Fire-at-will, a great set up! My game will be of more modest proportions though!
Do you have any good resources you used to research the battle?

@Arlequin, all the accounts i've read so far have said, even if numbers are not mentioned, that Edward had more men. One said he had 1000 more men apparently.

[H.M.Stanley]

I've been there (on the Hadrian's Wall treck) and i have a WotR army. Other than that i can't help 

Nice project chap

[Silent Invader]

Will be following with interest 

[Arlequín]

I've been there (on the Hadrian's Wall treck) and i have a WotR army. Other than that i can't help 

Herefordshire's on the Hadrian's Wall trek? 

@Arlequin, all the accounts i've read so far have said, even if numbers are not mentioned, that Edward had more men. One said he had 1000 more men apparently.

That may very well be the case then... go with your research! 

[Plynkes]

I thought the Mortimer Trail went from Kington to Ludlow, I didn't realise it had been extended all the way to Wallsend. That's quite the walk. 

[Fire-at-Will]

Fire-at-Will,

That looks amazing, can we have a link to more pictures?

Didn't take anymore myself, but there some more on this blog
http://blog.belisarius.org.uk/2011/02/vapnartak-2011-aar.html
 You might find other pictures from a 2011 York show report