The final game in our Wars of the Roses campaign was Towton.

The Battle of Towton took place on 29 March 1461, near Towton North Yorkshire, and has the dubious distinction of being the largest and bloodiest battle fought on English soil.  The opposing armies may have totalled up to 80,000 men which was around 2% of the population at the time.  Casualties are estimated to have been up to 28000.

The night before the battle was cold and wet, nevertheless both armies were under arms by 9 am.  Following protracted negotiations the battle started at 11am when the Yorkists delivered telling volleys of arrows into the Lancastrian ranks.  The Lancastrians returned fire only to have their arrows, opposed by the wind, fall short.

Stung into action, the numerically superior Lancastrian army advanced to engage the Yorkists. An ambush launched from Castle Hill woods piled pressure onto the left of the Yorkist line.  Outnumbered as they were the Yorkist flanks began to give ground.  Things were looking grim for the Yorkists until the timely arrival of the Duke of Norfolk marching up the Scarthingwell Road.  Norfolk attacked the Lancastrian left causing troops to panic and flee northwards.  Disquiet began to spread throughout the Lancastrian ranks as more and more men fell back towards Towton and the River Cock.  Finally the Lancastrian army broke and multitudes were slaughtered as they fled the field across the Cock Beck.  Edward was subsequently recognised as the one true king and reigned for 22 years despite being required to defend his throne several times.

Remember this game is not intended as an historical replay. The aim is simply to kill as many of the enemy as possible.  This is our third historical “grudge” match and each unit destroyed will attract an additional campaign victory point. 

Both generals stuck with their previous armies. The Lancastrians (Adrian) raised a balanced force of archers and billmen including Welsh and Irish mercenaries.  The Yorkist army (David) featured a preponderance of missile troops including the new fangled bombards and handguns.

 

It was a battlefield of two halves. The Eastern half was very open and the Western half was characterised by low rolling hills on both sides of the battlefield flanked by Castle Hill wood.

 

The scouting battle was closely fought with both sides matching each other blow for blow (they both drew 10 chits!).  The small Lancastrian advantage in light cavalry therefore made the difference and the Yorkists deployed first.

 

The Yorkists (David) started the set up by deploying their static artillery under the command of Baron Fauconberg in a defensive position protecting the first of their camp.  The Lancastrians (Adrian) responded by deploying their right flank in Castle Hill woods.  This force was under the command of the Earl of Devon (Reg) and Owen Tudor

 

The Yorkists then occupied the hills in their right centre.   It was here that Edward Plantagenet (David) raised his standard, daring the Lancastrians to come against them. The Lancastrians countered this defiance by deploying a strong centre in the shelter of low rolling hills and under the personal command of Henry VI (Adrian).

 

The Yorkists (David) then refused their left wing.  This command consisted of two units of bills deployed on the Northern edge of the battlefield.  These troops and the adjacent missiles (artillery and longbows) were under command of Baron Bonville (Tony).

The Lancastrians (Adrian) opposed Bonvilles bills with his cavalry supported by longbows and bills. Jasper Tudor (Doug) and Andrew Trollope were in command.

 

Finally David deployed his right wing made up of longbowmen supported by bills and his handgunners. This flank was under the command of Baron Scrope (Paul) and Lancelot Threlkeld.

 

All however was not as it appeared.  The Lancastrians (Adrian) had hatched a plan to seize a forward position in Castle Wood.   The Earl of Devon (Reg) and Owen Tudor smartly moved their front line forward to the Northern edge of Castle Hill wood.

Not to be outdone the Yorkists also planned a surprise for their enemies.  Unknown to the Lancastrians a unit of cavalry under the command of Sir John Middleton was despatched on a flank march to threaten the Lancastrian left.

With the set up complete it looked like the decisive battle would be fought on the Western, side of the battlefield.

As battle commenced the Lancastrian left charged forward out of Castle Hill woods and engaged the leading line of Yorkist troops. 

The Earl of Devon’s (Reg) knights swept all before them destroying two Yorkist longbow units and forcing their second line to withdraw.  On their right the Yorkist billmen stood their ground disordering the Lancastrians as they charged to contact. Meanwhile on the Western side of Castle Hill wood Lancastrian longbowmen moved to a firing position in support of the main attack. Baron Scrope (Paul) was concerned.

Elsewhere on the battlefield the Lancastrian right wing, under command of Jasper Tudor (Doug), moved to their left closing up with their centre.  In the centre of the battlefield Henry VI (Adrian) ordered his troops to move forward with a view of engaging the main Yorkist line in a long range fire fight.

The Yorkists responded by counter attacking the Earl of Devon’s (Reg’s) leading units. 

Baron Scrope’s (Paul) troops threw the Earl’s knights into disorder with their ferocious firepower. While his billmen scattered their Lancastrian opposite numbers who had sallied forth from Castle Hill woods. 

Freed from the threat to their front Scrope’s longbowmen now turned to engage the rampaging Lancastrian knights destroying the Earl of Devon’s (Reg) personal bodyguard.

As the Earl of March (David) and his bodyguard fell back into their camp the rest of the Yorkist centre held their defensive positions awaiting the inevitable archery duel.  Their cannons opened fire on the Lancastrian right to little effect.

Under strict orders to fight a defensive battle the Yorkist left wing under Baron Bonville (Tony) fell back within the Yorkist defences

Henry (Adrian) now advanced his centre into longbow range of the Yorkists line beginning a lengthy but largely ineffective exchange of fire, and covering the withdrawal of the Earl of Devon (Reg) who had become dangerously overextended.  Jasper Tudor (Doug) continued to move to the left attempting to avoid the Yorkist cannon fire

Baron Bonville (Tony) continued to march in support of his centre.

The longbow duel was now beginning to spread disorder through the leading units of the Lancastrian centre as it came under fire from the Yorkist centre and right.

At this moment The Yorkists sprang their ambush and Sir John Middleton’s cavalry arrived deep in the Earl of Devon‘s (Reg) rear.

The Lancastrian right wing now forming a strong reserve behind Henry’s centre moved against the threatening Yorkist cavalry.  Archers in the Lancastrian centre also turned to face the emerging threat from behind.

With disorder spreading through both armies Yorkist handgunners moved into the northern end of Castle Hill woods

The Kerns valiantly dashed forward to harry the Yorkist line.  In view of the volume of fire now directed against them the lead Lancastrian archers fell back to their start line.

Baron Bonville (Tony) continued to march West taking up his new position in support of the Yorkist firing line.

Concentrated Yorkist missile fire from the flank and front shattered Henry’s bills who had moved in support of The Earl of Devon’s (Reg) knights. 

Forced to take cover in the face of overwhelming odds Sir John’s flank marching cavalry came under determined attack from Jasper Tudor’s (Doug) cavalry.

In a last throw of the dice, Edward Earl of March (David) charged his knights against the Earl of Devon’s (Reg) knights but failed to achieve sufficient impetus.  

 

As the last rays of sunshine sank beneath the horizon Yorkist pressure was being applied against the increasingly disordered Lancastrian front but Sir John and his gallant outflanking force was under severe pressure.

The  Lancastrians had lost two units of billmen (6), and  their bodyguard knights (2).  

Yorkist losses were two longbow units (6).

A singularly indecisive game.  The outcome was declared a draw.

At the conclusion of the campaign standings are

Rick  +39

Tony  +34

Paul +30

David +28

Doug/Reg +17

Adrian +16

The Yorkists won six battles and the Lancastrians only two.  Despite losing the war our Kingmaker is the Lancastrian Duke of Somerset (Rick). Whose brutal style showed him to be a formidable opponent in battle.

The Duke of Somerset (Rick) will now follow his king into exile mayhap to return under the banners of Queen Margaret, Prince Edward or even the Tudors…..

Huzzah!

 

The penultimate game in our Wars of the Roses campaign was based on the action fought at Ferrybridge the day before the decisive battle of Towton.   Our game was fought between Richard Duke of York (Tony) and Edmund Duke of Somerset (Rick)  

Despite a historical victory at 2^nd St. Albans Queen Margaret’s victorious army found the gates of London closed to them.  In the face of converging Yorkist forces under the command of Edward Earl of March and the Earl of Warwick, Margaret was forced to retreat North.

As the Lancastrians crossed the river Aire en route for York they made a half-hearted job of destroying the bridge at Ferrybridge. After a fierce fight Warwick captured and repaired the bridge.

The following morning the Lancastrians attacked Warwick’s bridgehead.  To steady his troops Warwick killed his horse in their view demonstrating his readiness to fight and die.  Despite this Warwick was forced to withdrew across the bridge and rejoin the main Yorkist army under the command of Edward Earl of March. 

Remember this game is not intended as an historical replay. The aim is simply to kill as many of the enemy as possible.  This is the second of our historical “grudge” matches and each unit destroyed will attract an additional campaign victory point. 

Confident following his victories at Blore Heath and Mortimer’s Cross, Somerset (Rick) stuck with his proven recipe for success and fielded an unchanged army.  The Duke of York (Tony) refined the aggressive strategy he had adopted at Wakefield by further optimising his army for hand-to-hand combat and favouring bills and heavy knights over missile weapons.

 The main feature of the battlefield was the river Aire separating the two armies.  On the day of battle the river was icy and fast flowing and so was deemed doubly difficult to cross.  A low ridge dominated the ground on the Yorkist right facing woods lining the river on the opposite bank.  Small woods dotted the landscape on the other flank.

 Despite Somerset’s (Rick’s) advantage in light troops the Lancastrians lost the scouting and were forced to start the set up process.   Somerset (Rick) decided to set up on the South side of the battlefield, deploying his retinue troops in the centre of the field opposite the bridge.  His centre was  under the command of Baron Hungerford (Rick) and Lord Audley. 

 Tony responded with a mixed force of shire levy holding the hills on his right centre and heavy infantry covering the road and the left centre The centre of the Yorkist army was under the personal command of the Duke of York (Tony) supported by John Fogge of Ashford. 

 Somerset (Rick) then deployed his left wing consisting of retinue and Welsh longbowmen with a stiffening of retinue bills and armoured men-at-arms.  This wing was commanded by the Duke of Somerset (Adrian) and sir John Roddam

York (Tony) faced off against this force with his retinue longbows and his shire levy bills.  The Yorkists deployed in defensive positions on the low ridge on the right of the army.  Thomas Lord Stanley (David) and sir John Melton were in command

Somerset (Rick) completed his set up by deploying his mounted troops and his kerns on the open Eastern side of the battlefield.  This battle was under the command of the Earl of Wiltshire (Doug) and Sir Thomas Whittingham.

 Completing the set up York (Tony) deployed his left wing consisting of his mounted knights and veteran billmen under the command of Edward Neville, Baron Abergavenny (Paul) and Baron Cobham.

Unknown to the Yorkists a unit of kerns had become separated from the rest of the Lancastrian army.   This unit would arrive at a random location on the board edge.

The Yorkists meanwhile had successfully infiltrated a spy into the body guard of a Lancastrian general with instructions to strike in the heat of battle.

With the set up complete it looked like the decisive battle would be fought on the Eastern, open side of the battlefield.

As battle commenced the Yorkist centre and left advance aggressively toward the river Aire. In contrast the Yorkist right stood firm defending their ridge.

    

In reply the Lancastrian left wing advanced to take advantage of the cover provided by the woods lining the river Aire

Slow to move off the Lancastrian centre (Rick) stood, awaiting developments at the bridge. On their right the Earl of Wiltshire (Doug) advanced his battle in good order covering the possible Yorkist crossing points

 

The Duke of Somerset (Adrian) on the left of the Lancastrian line pressed forward moving into the cover offered by the woods and bringing the Yorkist right under fire.

Inspired by his fellow generals Baron Hungerford (Rick), in the centre of the Lancastrian line, now stepped forward into longbow range.

Seizing his opportunity The Duke of York (Tony) unleashed a barrage of arrows putting an end to the leading Lancastrian billmen. 

 

Responding almost immediately Hungerford’s (Rick’s) longbows swept away the Yorkist billmen on the opposite side of the Aire.

Not to be outdone the Duke of Somerset’s (Adrian’s) wing, now in a favourable firing position, showered the Yorkist right wing with deadly fire wiping out the longbows on the extreme right, spreading disorder throughout the Yorkist ranks and forcing the entire wing to retire behind the cover of the ridge.

   

 As death came calling the Earl of Wiltshire (Doug) edged forward to challenge the resolutely advancing Yorkist left.

 Despite his infantry being stalled on the banks of the Aire Baron Abergavenny (Paul) boldly charged his cavalry across the river driving back the Irish kerns, shattering the Northern Border Staves and wounding the Earl of Wiltshire in the ensuing melee. Carpe diem! The Yorkist assassin struck but failed in his attempt to finish off the Earl of Wiltshire (Doug).

Pinned by the knights to his front Baron Abergavenny (Paul) now found himself outflanked by Sir Thomas Whittingham and his Currours.

Back on the Lancastrian left, having neutralised the immediate threat to his front, the Duke of Somerset (Adrian) decided to cross the Aire but not before despatching a unit of archers to forestall the threatened Yorkist assault in the centre. Fortune favours the brave and as Somerset (Adrian) successfully crossed the river in force the missing kerns appeared on the extreme right of the Lancastrian line.

The Yorkists preparing to cross the Aire in the centre of the battlefield now came under sustained missile fire.  Calamity! The Duke of York (Tony) was struck down by a lucky arrow.

On the Yorkist left the intensity of the battle raged unchecked as Baron Abergavenny’s (Paul’s) knights were struck in flank by Sir Thomas Whittingham’s Currors and swept from the field losing the army standard in the process.   Pressing their advantage the Lancastrian bodyguard, on the extreme right of the line, charged into the Yorkist Currors only to be devastated by a ferocious counterattack.  The Kerns, sheltering in the woods, on seeing this fled in panic.

On the opposite flank Lord Stanley’s (David’s) shire levy billmen turned to their flank driving off the troublesome Kerns from the table but inadvertently exposed their flank to missile fire from the main body of the Duke of Somerset’s (Adrian’s) troops.

Back on the Lancastrian right, the Yorkist bodyguard now aggressively charged into the Lancastrian Currors only to see their target evade away and be hit themselves by counterattacking Lancastrian knights who made short work of them.  Bravely leading the charge from the front, the Earl of Wiltshire (Doug) received yet another wound and was forced to leave the battlefield.

As these events played out on the Lancastrian right, the exchange of arrows continued across the bridge in the centre of the field but this time lady luck favoured the Yorkists as Baron Hungerford (Rick) was struck down by an arrow in the throat.

The Yorkist centre now started to cross the river.  In a cruel twist of fate the Lancastrians counterattacked only to be cut down and destroyed losing their army standard.

With the loss of this unit the Lancastrian army broke and “sauve qui peut” fled the field.  Another Yorkist victory!

The Yorkists have won six battles and the Lancastrians only two.  The Lancastrians are now battling for pride and the title of Kingmaker.  

The next battle will be Towton between Edward Earl of March (David) and Henry VI (Adrian).

 

The seventh game in our Wars of the Roses campaign was the second battle of St. Albans between the Yorkist Earl of Warwick (Paul) and the Lancastrian Earl of Northumberland (Doug/Reg). 

With Edward Earl of March delayed in the Welsh Borders at Mortimers Cross, the Yorkist defence of London fell to the Earl of Warwick. Ranged against him was a Lancastrian army raised in the North of England by Queen Margaret. The Northerners moved swiftly South pillaging as they went.

Warwick took up a position north of St Albans where he set up several fixed defences along the line of an ancient earthwork known as Beech Bottom Dyke. 

The day of the battle (17th February 1461) dawned cold and damp.  Moving via Dunstable Margaret bypassed Warwick's fixed positions and attacked St Albans from the West.

By late afternoon, the Lancastrians were attacking north-east out of St Albans to engage the Yorkist centre and right. 

As dusk set in (which would have been in the very early evening on a February day with poor weather), Warwick realised that his men were outnumbered and increasingly demoralised. He withdrew with his remaining forces.

Remember this game is not intended as an historical replay. The aim is simply to kill as many of the enemy as possible.  This was the first of our historical “grudge” matches and each unit destroyed will attract an additional campaign victory point. 

The players are now becoming more experienced with their chosen units nevertheless for this battle Paul chose to drop his artillery and, in their place, invested in additional cavalry units.  In contrast Doug/Reg stuck with their previous army featuring large numbers of units double armed with bills and longbows.

The main feature of the battlefield was the town of St Albans on the Lancastrian left flank.  The rest of the field was flat and featureless with a small wood between the Yorkist centre and left deployment areas.  

 Despite Paul’s extra cavalry the Lancastrians had a small scouting advantage nevertheless a poor chit draw saw the Yorkists seize the initiative and the Lancastrians were forced to begin the set up.

The Lancastrians decided to set up on the South side of the battlefield.  They started by deploying their right wing.  This wing consisted of Shire Levy stiffened by a few retinue troops and Welsh mercenaries under the command of Baron Clifford (Doug) and Sir Christopher Curwen.

Paul responded by setting up his Shire Levy on the opposite flank.  The task of these units appeared to be to defend the Yorkist camps from behind strong palisades.  They were supported by a unit of Burgundian hand gunners and were under the command of Baron Hastings (David) and Baron Ogle

The Lancastrians now deployed the first of their camps and placed a force of mounted retinue infantry into St. Albans.  This wing was under the command of William Tailboy (Mal) and Ralph Percy

Paul proceeded to set out his left wing.  The extreme left of his line was held by a strong cavalry force and to their right were retinue longbows backed up with a unit of veteran billmen.  This wing was under the command of Sir Thomas Neville (Tony) and Sir John Conyer.  

Both armies now deployed their centres.  The Lancastrians placed their second camp next to their first, the whole surrounded by palisade walls and garrisoned by Irish Kerns.  The Lancastrian cavalry were arrayed in strength behind a line of retinue and veteran billmen.  The centre was commanded by the Earl of Northumberland (Adrian) and Sir Richard Percy. 

Finally, Paul set out the Yorkist centre.  A deep formation of mounted and foot knights were supported on their right by retinue bill and mounted archers behind stakes.  The Yorkist centre was commanded by the Earl of Warwick (Paul) and Sir John Clinton.

The Lancastrians agreed that the Yorkist right flank was probably a holding force designed to draw Lancastrian troops to their doom as they engaged at a disadvantage across the palisades.  It was agreed that the left wing would incline to their right throwing their weight into a combined attack against the Yorkist centre.

The Yorkists appeared to initially plan a defensive strategy weakening the Lancastrian close combat units as they advanced through the Yorkist arrow storm

The battle began with William Tailboy (Mal) moving smartly North East out of St. Albans to engage the archers stationed ahead of the Yorkist centre.

The Lancastrian centre, under the Earl of Northumberland (Adrian) moved forward in support. Their right, Lord Clifford (Doug) began his long march into bowshot.

The Yorkist line also advanced conforming with their leading elements

As the Lancastrian left wing continued to press forward a unit of Irish Kerns which had become lost on it’s approach to the battlefield made an appearance on the Yorkist right flank. 

After much debate it was agreed that they should appear as close to St. Albans as possible.

The Lancastrian line continued to advance moving into longbow range. The Yorkists opened fire, showering the Lancastrians with arrows.  Despite their superior firepower the Yorkist fire was generally ineffectual but did succeed in  disordering the left of the Lancastrian line as it emerged from St. Albans .

    

The Lancastrian left now attacked the Yorkist archers but to no avail as they struggled to engage past the archers’ stakes.  In the  centre Warwick (Paul) now advanced to menace Tailboy’s (Mal’s) left flank only to be met by Northumberland’s (Adrian’s) advancing centre. 

The Lancastrian right flank (Doug) engaged the Yorkists by fire spreading disorder through the Yorkist ranks and destroying a unit of Yorkist bills.

Back on the Lancastrian left the Yorkist archers withdrew, closely pursued by Tailboy’s (Mal’s) billmen.

Hasting’s handgunners (David) sallied forth from the safety of their palisaded camp engaging the extreme right of the Lancastrian line and forcing the late arriving Kerns to retire into the shelter of St. Albans

The Earl of Warwick (Paul) continued to press forward in the centre of the battlefield turning to threaten the exposed flank of Tailboy’s (Mal’s) impetuous charge. A desperate struggle developed in the centre of the battlefield and despite Tailboy sustaining a light wound neither side was able to gain an advantage. 

In the Yorkist centre Northumberland (Adrian) charged forward against Warwick’s (Paul’s) knights, losing both his body guard knights and his Northern border horse in the maelstrom.  Despite these setbacks Northumberland (Adrian) engineered a flank attack against the rampaging Yorkist knights destroying them and capturing the Yorkist army standard.  Things were beginning to look sticky for the Yorkists.

despite his advantage in firepower Sir Thomas Neville (Tony), on the Yorkist left, was making little progress.  In an attempt to break the deadlock Sir Thomas (Tony) extended his cavalry to the left threatening a charge against the Lancastrian line.

Neville’s (Tony’s) cavalry contacted the Lancastrian line to little effect but at last his archers succeeded in destroying a Lancastrian unit.

Back in the centre Warwick (Paul) and his rampaging bodyguard were struck in the flank by Northumberland’s (Adrian’s) Lancastrian knights.

The Yorkist shire levy under Baron Hastings (David) now sallied forth from their camp striking the Lancastrian right and causing a general panic as three Lancastrian units fled the field.

With the Lancastrian centre shattered the battle was declared a Yorkist victory.

With only two games left, the campaign is a Yorkist victory.  The Yorkists have won five battles and the Lancastrians only two.  The Lancastrians are now battling for pride and the title of Kingmaker.   With extra points to be won in the final two battles it’s still an open field.

The next battle will be Ferrybridge between The Duke of Somerset (Rick) and Richard Duke  of York (Tony).