In this week’s exciting episode, those cunning Normans are at it again. Duke Roger’s minions are escorting Saracen hostage takers to Nottingham Castle but first they have to negotiate Sherwood Forest.
Roger and “friend”
Roger has publicised his confidence in being able to get through with a liberal sprinkling of publicity photographs!
Chris and I were more than ready to give a Roger a taste of Saxon steel😜
Newbie Chris always likes to get into character(s)!
Roger’s column rumbled forward😳, but bolts from Earl Locksley’s crossbowmen began to thin out the Nornan ranks. Lion Rampant rules are nothing if not simple but deadly. The procession began to change direction. Leaving one unit of spears to face off against our ambush, Roger reinforced with a unit of Knights but took the rest of his men in a wide arc to the North.
Target number one is within reach…..
But our forester javelin were in wait. The javelins took out the unwary Norman crossbows but the trees could not save the lightly armed Saxons from the return shooting. There was a gentlemanly discussion at this point about line of sight but bidowers cannot be targeted from more than twelve inches anyway. The crossbowmen charged and the foresters were off back to their forest shacks.
The Northern roadblock is breached!
The Earl’s yeomen close in on the Normans who ironically seek safety in the trees.
Meanwhile, there was a battle royal back in the South-East. Our household troops were eager to get to grips with the Norman foot but Roger unleashed his Knights!
First our crossbowmen were ridden down and then Roger’s Knights attempted to roll up our spearmen but they were made of sterner stuff.
The look on Chris’ face said it all. I left my bidowers to rout and brought up our loyal men at arms. Together with the remaining spearmen, we beat back the Norman horsemen.
The battle turns….
Roger’s Knights were forced back and, despite one brave Norman knight holding out single handedly for two turns, they were destroyed. One Saracen emissary would not be meeting King John.
Our first target captured, huzzah!
Christopher charged the cowering Normans into the woods but the Earl’s troops ran away. To my horror, our Knights impetuously charged in automatically. Although they are high quality troops the terrain makes them only the equal of spears when in a forest. It was Roger who was using the terrain well. We sliced through one unit but Roger reinforced with another and our Knights bit the dust…….
Oh dear, Knights in woods…
The melee had given us another emissary though so all was not lost. Our last line of Merrie men accounted for Roger’s crossbowmen and duelled unsuccessfully with the accompanying Bidowers. It was time for the men in Lincoln green to beat a hasty retreat.
Our last line of defence!
We left via the marshes, daring Roger’s remaining two units to follow. I hope I have given some of the flavour of this excellent rules set. My thanks to Ross for the figures and all who made this such an enjoyable evening. I definitely want to return to this era ( or error) again.
Thanks for reading dear reader. Goodnight from the forests of Merry Englande! Richard and the rightful King !
despertaferres 