Outremer, a mini crusades campaign

Once again our star reporter packs his sunhat and cameras and ventures back in time to the early 12th century. This week saw the first encounter of the “Outremer” TTS campaign, and pitted Rob’s Kingdom of Jerusalem Crusaders against Malcolm’s Fatimid Egyptians. The game was set during the 1105AD Fatimid attempt  to reconquer Jerusalem after the loss of Islam’s 3rd holiest city to the Christians in 1099. However pre-battle intelligence revealed Muslim despondency at having to face the much vaunted Christian mounted knights.

The Crusaders deployed with infantry taking their left and centre, and a cavalry-heavy right wing. The Muslims were more balanced but had a noticeably weaker right.

The Muslims began with a general advance along the line. So far so good. 

 

 
The Crusader knights refused to move, maybe they were having a late breakfast? 

 

The Crusader left advanced to seize the high ground but in the centre a general advance was punctuated by a single shieldwall unit being overtaken with bloodlust and charging ahead leaving a gap in the line. Such ill-discipline was not a good omen.

On their right the Muslims used their cavalry to good effect turning the Crusader line which was static on the hill crests. 

 
With the camps threatened another shieldwall unit had to drop out of the line to protect the baggage and the royal treasury. The two sides began to trade missiles, with the Crusaders being pretty ineffective. However  the Arab archery started to strike home killing units, even one of the much feared knights.

The Arab infantry and heavy cavalry finally entered the fray and more Crusader units began to collapse.  The flank march and entry of the Crusader “Turcopole” light cavalry which threatened one of the Fatimid camps was largely ignored as the Arabs concentrated on destroying the Crusader centre and right wing.

With one victory medal remaining and having only killed one Fatimid unit the Kingdom of Jerusalem conceded defeat. A stunning Arab victory that could change the balance or power in the Holy Land….

Simon