The second campaign in 1459 Wars of the Roses "The White Swans".

[Dez]

Situation Cards:



The starting positions of the parties:

[Dez]

First Turn:



Yorkist managed to win over Henry Bourchier and John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk.
Lancastrians failed to win over Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland, Tomas Percy Baron Egremont,  Jasper Tudor Earl of Pembroke and Tomas Stanley, Baron Stanley.

So, the situation at the end of the first Turn:

[Dez]

Second Turn:

After the occupation of London, my (Lancastrians) Confidence Campaign increased by two points.
Formed two battles: the Battle of the Lathom, to the north and Battle of Oxford in the south.
The battlefield at the Lathom:

The field of battle at Oxford:


The situation at the end of the turn, before the battles:

[Dez]

Battle of the Lathom
Stanley decided not to tempt fate and fled the battle ...
The position of the parties after the "Battle" of Lathom:

[Dez]

Battle at Oxford.

So, near Oxford met in battle Lancastrians, led by Sir Humphrey Stafford and Yorkists under the command of Sir Richard, Duke of York. Lancastrians had more than 10,500 people, artillery and some bombards. They were confronted by about 6,500 Yorkist. Yorkists had some artillery.
The weather was clear, the wind was not strong in the direction of the Yorkist army, but could not prevent shooters in any way.
At the beginning of the battle the Lancastrians had already had 2 verse chronicle, after a successful bombardment Yorkist, they got more and a third! Lancastrians were confident of a quick and easy victory!
Lancastrians:
Vanguard – Sir Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter
Mainward – Sir Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham
Rearward – Sir John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury
Yorkists:
Vanguard – Sir Edward Plantagenet, Earl of  March
Mainward – Sir Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York
Rearward - Walter Devereux, Baron Ferrers
The position of the opposing sides in the beginning of the battle:





Lancastrians moved all their forces forward, it would come at a distance shot that was a mistake in the against Sir Henry Holland`s ward, in which three companies were collected entirely from the militias and had no experienced commanders ...
Yorkist heavy fire made a strong impression on untried militia, which led to a rout from the field of two companies, Sir Holland`s ward. Generally in both armies felt the critical shortage of experienced officers, which affected the stability of a hastily assembled militia ...





Further skirmish led to panic and escape another company from Sir Holland`s battaille and escape from the company of militia Sir Edward, Earl of March's ward. Sir Talbot`s battaille was on the "backyard" of the battle and hastened to the aid of their comrades. At this point, the Lancastrians began to have doubts about the outcome of the battle ... Yorkist even managed to close one verse in the Chronicle ...





Ward Sir Walter Devereux the beginning of an aggressive extension to the right, almost shattered flank Lancastrian army. On the left flank Lancastrian hurried into the thick of the battle, Sir Talbot and his men. In a narrow defile congestion, so that their companies Sir Stafford had to make room in the direction that would be to miss the fresh troops of Sir Talbot ... At this point, an arrow company commander in the ward of Sir Holland was killed, brave Sir Robert Hungerford ..., which in turn led to escape from the battlefield the whole company ... Anxiety Sir Stafford intensified even more ... he is furious cries from the hill drove into battle took place near the archers Sir Talbot ...







The guns Sir Holland made a confusion in the ranks of militias Sir Richard York, which resulted in a general flight of both militia mouth ... Finally the archers Sir Talbot came within range and fired a volley ward for Sir Edward March! Volley was extremely successful, he was mortally wounded by an arrow son of the Duke of York, brave Earl of March ...







After this irreplaceable and personal loss, the Duke of York, seeing their hopeless situation and realizing the futility of further conflict, wanting to save the remnants of his army orders to sound a general retreat ... Sir Holland tried though as that to get even for her, virtually destroyed ward, made a desperate volley at the unfolding soldiers York, but no consequences, this idea did not have ... York troops left the battlefield. Lancastrians without cavalry, were unable to prosecute, and the remnants of the army of the Duke of York was able to escape ...





Losses sides were almost identical: the Lancastrians lost in killed about 500 people and more than 3,000 fled Yorkists lost about 600 people were killed and about 4,000 fled, with according to the intelligence of the Yorkist escaped and associates ... In the end, the complete victory of Sir Humphrey Stafford! But there is still waiting for fierce confrontation with Yorkists which received strong support from Calais ...

The position of the parties after the Battle of Oxford:

[Dez]

The second Turn is over! The position of the parties at the beginning of the third turn (after Oxford at the Lancastrian confidence campaign - 10, at the Yorkist - 3):
The death of the heir reduced by 3 points Yorkist Confidence campaign.

[aphillathehun]

Inspiring.  I really need to focus on my WotR forces.

[Dez]

The third turn of the campaign:



Battle of Pleshey or "Black Sunday"

So, after the "wise and clever" maneuvers Lancastrian still managed to hold down a part of the Yorkist forces Pleshey castle district in Essex.
Local farmers reported to the Duke of Somerset on the number of the forces of the enemy, which ultimately turned out to be a complete misinformation! Order this younger Earl Devon, to conduct a thorough investigation, it has been ignored ...
Eventually Duke troops coming on in amazement battlefield saw a handful of enemy soldiers entrenched on a hill, in a large farm ... Junior Devon and Baron de la Warr never found before him an enemy ... Although, in fairness, I must say that the Yorkist troops consisted exclusively from proven, hardened veterans of the Earl of Warwick and the Marquis of Montague, reinforced, such as hardened soldiers, the garrison of Calais, led Trollope.
So, the starting position of the parties:
 






At the beginning of the battle suddenly it started to rain! What completely withdrew from the fight artillery Lancastrian. Damn rain and did not stop until the end of the battle that, in consequence, further undermined the offensive outburst Lancastrian.
The first phase of the battle began with a rapid onset of the Lancastrian left flank on the Yorkist position. In the Duke it was slightly injured during the onset of a stray arrow, but it did not affect the morale of the Lancastrian! In turn, the Lancastrian right flank and tried as quickly as possible to take a position for firing.







Duke fiercely attacked Heinrich Bouchier. Fearless Duke was confident of victory because he led for a selective company, consisting of experienced veterans clad in armor!
On the right flank and in the center of the Lancastrians were approached troops exchanged fire with barricaded behind a hedge Yorkists.
During the shooting, he was slightly wounded a senior Devon.







And then the incredible happened! The brutal felling was hacked to death, Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset! His troops also suffered terrible losses ... The courage of the soldiers of the Duke instantly vanished! Duke`s company turned in a general flight, spreading panic and dragging the rest of the company of his battles ... Inspired by this unexpected victory Bouchier shouting England and York !, rushed in pursuit of the fleeing, causing death in its path ... the elite company of the best people was completely destroyed by the Duke ... the rest of the troops of the Duke scattered battles. This unexpected tragic turn of events on the field of battle, made a lasting impression on the Lancastrian army commanders ... only a grimace of frustration on the faces would not let the harsh Lancastrian burst into tears at the sight of such a loss, and most importantly the loss of such a leader as Henry Beaufort (cloth he rest in peace).








Startled death Beaufort, Earl of Devon throws himself into a desperate and doomed attack on the people of Montague, sat down on the farm! It began a fierce cutting.
Bouchier, elated by the recent success, and possessed by bloodlust, attacked the second company wards Earl Devon. But the captain took courage and gave a fitting rebuff to the brutal blood Yorkists.






In the center and on the right flank of the enemy continued spending boom in tough shootout ... Which also was fatal for the Lancastrians. Unable to withstand such a large number of losses, fled from the battlefield of the two companies ward Baron de la Warr ...





At the beginning of the collision was hacked to death by crazed blood and lost all caution Heinrich Bouchier!
His men, stunned the death of the commander and did not expect such resistance, fled.
Crazy Earl Devon attack bogged down ... She was doomed to failure. Attack the enemy, entrenched behind cover up the hill turned out to be complete madness ... Earl company was defeated and thrown out of the hedge, while fleeing wounded Earl was captured by the Marquis! So Thomas Courtenay, 5th Earl of Devon was captured by Sir John Neville, Marquess of Montagu.
Running soldiers overran the company behind and finding they have not yet departed from the scrum with Bouchier and ready to begin the pursuit of runaway Yorkist, were scattered in panic and fled from the battlefield.








The morale of the army Lancastrian has reached critical limits! The soldiers have already lost all hope of victory, and they all acted hesitantly and not willingly.



In addition to all the misery the north wind and rain blew in the face battles unfolded de la Warr and Devon younger that completely negate the effectiveness of their fire! Having spent the last boom, remaining on the Lancastrians faced a dilemma: to attack farm and die or, having left the tactics of movement, an organized retreat from the battlefield.





The solution suggests itself. Lancastrians withdrew from the field of battle, having suffered a humiliating defeat by conceding four in their opponent ...




When the starting ratio of 14,500 people in 3800 against the Lancastrians at the Yorkist, strontium loss amounted to 4000 against 1400, respectively. A few thousand militia permanently defected after fleeing from the battlefield at the Lancastrian

The battle is very similar to a real battle of Blore Heath, which was held just in 1459!

The situation at the beginning of the 4th turn:

[Dez]

Great Dez! What you're done !!!

[Khmorg]

 

 

IT IS GREATE!!!!!!

[Miantanomo]

Gorgeous! This is something to aspire to!

[Dez]

In Christmas night, tell fortunes on the map! Played the fourth course of the campaign! Part Lancastrian deposited in London. Lancastrians lost 2 points of confidence in the campaign. Yorkists blocked the road on their way to help a Lancastrian at St Albans. To be the battle of St. Albans!

[Dez]

Battlefield battle with the St Albans

[painterman]

I've never played with these rules, but the whole campaign and related battles look inspirational! Great to see.
Simon

[Dez]

Thank you! But always with the fact, that is in the game!