Last Monday we gathered on a cold evening to recreate the battle of Northam from 1069 on our tabletop. We used my 28mm sized figures and Impetus 2 Rules.
A quick summary of what is known of the actual Battle;
It was fought in June 1069 near ironically Northam. The sons of King Harold landed on the Devon coast with an invading force to reclaim their father’s crown with an army backed by Diarmait High King of Ireland. The defending army was made up of Normans, Breton's and English led by Brian of Brittany who had fought with William. There were actually two battles during the day, an initial raiding skirmish then this the major action where the Brothers defended their boats while awaiting the tide. The battle was bloody and a draw. The brothers withdrew on their boats and vanished from history last heard of in Denmark after losing the support of their Irish patrons…
Brian of Brittany urging his men forward...
The Forces;
The Godwinsons, Edmund & Godwine's Anglo Saxon Irish
Edmund Godwinson Reliable 4H Command
Godwine Godwinson Reliable 4H Command
2 x Huscarls
5 x Select Fyrd
4 x Irish Foot
2 x Archers
3 x Skirmishers
Norman Brenton Anglo Saxon Army
Brian of Brittany Reliable 4H Command
William de Vauville Reliable 4H Command
3 x Brenton Horse
4 x Brenton Heavy Infantry
2 x Brenton Javelinmen
3 x Select Fyrd
3 x Greater Fyrd
3 x Archers
Victory Conditions;
The Normans must capture the road edge behind the Godwinson Brother's Raiders for a Total Victory they score a Minor Victory Breaking the Raiders Army.
The Godwinson Brothers gain a Victory by Breaking the Norman Army.
Note - ignore Command Morale only monitor Army Morale for both sides.
Game Length; 8 Turn
The AAR;
Both sides faced off across a valley near Northam on that fateful June day in 1069, there were only a few hours of daylight left and the fate of William’s fledgling Kingdom hung in the balance! The Leaders of both great hosts ordered them to advance and it was not long before archers and javelin men were exchanging fire.
The Brenton Horsemen on Brian of Brittany’s right were sent a missive to turn the flank of the Raiders Army and end the battle swiftly so they charged forward! The long spear armed Anglo Saxons facing them under the direct leadership of Edmund Godwinson cunningly deployed so the mass of horsemen was broken up and hit multiple bands of warriors at the same time! The great surge of the Brenton Knights broke like a wave hitting a shore, many fell to the rabid spearman who drove them back! This one action smashed the Brenton Horsemen and they were no longer strong enough to play any decisive part in the battle, spent they retired under pressure to play little part in the rest of the battle spending it screening the Norman Army’s right!
Brian though dismayed at his setback urged his line of foot forward aware that William de Vauville's flank of his army were already in action against the invaders right wing!
After seeing off the Brenton Knights the Godwinson Brothers were confident they could defeat the enemy before them and pressed the advantage on their left with Edmund’s personal Body Guard leading the way! A grinding clash of shield walls occurred in the centre of the line with the Normans slowly giving way.
William de Vauville now proved his metal and launched his extreme left at Godwine’s flank, led by archers the local Fyrd had great success pushing back the Irishmen guarding this part of the Godwinson’s line! Gitty hard fought melees were now occurring all along the line and both sides believed they were on the brink of victory!
The whole battle line started to pivot around the central units, the Norman right pulling back while their left advanced! The fighting continued with heavy losses on both sides niether would break though!
The light was failing with the two battered lines still fighting and with darkness the fighting subsided. Brian of Brittany had failed to destroy the Raiders and capture their ships but importantly he was not defeated, King Harold’s Sons had not been defeated but their grievous losses and failure to establish a base for themselves on mainland England meant their attempt to regain their Father’s Crown was over, for now!
A DRAW!
The Anglo Saxon Irish Army lost 9 VDs 6 short of breaking
The Norman Brenton Anglo Saxon Army lost 10 VDs 4 short of breaking
Some Pictures;
Our Battlefield Raiders to the right and the Normans to the left…
Both sides advanced…
Edmund’s flank troops watch the Brenton Knights approach with confidence!
A few final taunts are exchanged before the biffo begins…
The Brenton Horse find their charge contacts multiple foot units thanks to Edmund’s clever deployment! They are soundly defeated!
The Horsemen are repulsed and Edmund’s foot soldiers attack them in turn!
Long Spears are useful against mounted troops as the Brentons found at great cost!
The overall situation after Brian’s failed attempt to roll up the Godwinson Brothers army with a great cavalry charge…
William de Vauville's local troops advanced on Godwine's Raiders with success!
The Brenton Foot form a line and move out, to the right their Horsemen can be seen under attack from Edmund's Spearmen...
Godwine's Body Guard engages and defeat some Fyrd...
...while more of his warriors come to grips with a Band of Select Fyrd they were not so fortunate!
de Vauville begin his attempt to turn Godwine's flank, but the sun was setting and time was running out!
All the while on the Raiders other flank they press the Brentons back!
The Brenton Knights continued to withdrew before the Raiding Forces!
With darkness gathering Godwine's Body Guard take a pounding from a second Band of Anglo Saxons!
The back and forth continued as a group of the Godwinson Brothers Irish grind more Brenton Heavy Infantry into the Ground! Despite losses both armies continue to fight on the action only ceased with night falling.
Summary;
Well this was a hum dinger of a game, I planned for eight game turns but added a ninth on the night to see if the battle could be resolved, that didn’t help, it was definitely a bloody draw! We recreated history to a tee! The rules played well and we completed the game in around two and a half hours giving us a time for coffee and a chat. Everyone walked away having enjoyed the night!
Next time I think we’ll be play a Napoleonic scenario using Blucher Rules.
