Lessie's Moor an ECW scenario

For our most recent game (actually roughly 4 weeks ago), Steve used this scenario by Andrew Brentnall, which can be downloaded free from here .  It is set up for the "For King and Parliament" rules by Simon Miller, but Steve adjusted it for our in-house version of "Pike and Shotte".  It was also an opportunity to try out some different formation depths.  There has been a fair bit of discussion on TMP and elsewhere regarding the way in which we, as wargamers, deploy our units and we thought we would try and get the cavalry a bit nearer the formations depicted on contemporary mid-seventeenth century illustrations of battles.

The action takes place in the fictional (unless you are an Archers fan), county of Borsetshire, which lies just to the south of Kelhamshire.

The view from behind the Parliamentary right wing

The scenario map shows that over half the parliamentary cavalry is deployed  in enclosures on the left wing, rather restricting it's ability to manoeuvre.  A roll of the dice allocated command of the Royalists and the persona of Lord Nigel Pargeter to me, whilst Steve was General Edward Grundy.  My plan was to attack with my right and hold in the centre and left.  Steve opted for the same plan, meaning the two armies were pivoting around the small copse seen in the photograph above.

My right wing cavalry made good progress advancing across the moor, but the trained bands were less keen, plodding slowly forward, whilst Perk's regiment became disordered trying to get across a hedge.  Fortunately, the enemy left wing cavalry seemed to prefer to wait on events and remained in position.  It was only when the leading Royalist regiment approached the opening to the enclosure that Elliot and Bellamy's regiments turned to face them and a prolonged melee took place in the narrow opening.  My infantry had now come under fire from the commanded shot placed behind the hedges on the parliamentary left and the first volley caused the Penny Hassett trained band to waver.  David Archer quickly moved over to steady them and together with the Ambridge trained band they fired a volley back at the musketeers.

The fight for the enclosure

Grundy's plans for his right wing were not progressing as he had hoped.  Fairbrother's cavalry lacked cohesion, one unit had been driven back by fire from D'Arcy's musketeers whilst the remainder had been charged by Josh Archer's regiments.  The melee swung back and forth but it was the Royalists who had to give ground, one unit routing, the other falling back to reform.  Archer tried to rally his fleeing troopers, but was swept from the field in the rout; only returning some time later.  Meanwhile Lord Pargeter had re-aligned the infantry in the centre to cover their flank.  He was able to do this because Sterling's brigade of infantry were reluctant to advance, (with the exception of Grundy's own regiment) and Carter's brigade of trained band units were also keen to remain in reserve rather than face the enemy.

D'Arcy's musketeers

Lord Frederick's rout

Although Fairbrother was able to drive off the remaining Royalist cavalry on the Parliamentary right, he was exposed to fire from the musketeers ensconced behind the hedges.  To his left Grundy's regiment had been broken by musketry and Sterling's had been forced back to reform.

On the Royalist right the cavalry fight for the enclosure continued as fresh regiments made their way forward.  Neither side could gain an advantage, but the Royalist infantry now began to exert an influence.  The two trained band regiments had gained the upper hand against McCreary's musketeers and a determined charge broke the small unit.  Perks' unit also overcame Tichener's musketeers and was able to advance to the hedge bordering the enclosure.  Now the Parliamentary cavalry faced charges from the enemy cavalry and also volleys from the infantry lining the hedge.  One by one the cavalry units routed threatening the collapse of the Parliamentary force.  Grundy ordered Fairbrother to move his cavalry quickly to bolster the left, whilst the remains of Sterling's command also moved left to counter the Royalist advance.  This left Carter's untried brigade to hold off the Royalist left and centre.  Grundy's mood was not improved by the sudden demise of his artillery, the axle shattered under the strain of discharging a shot.  Surveying the scene, he ordered a withdrawal.  For his part Lord Pargeter was happy to claim victory by right of possession of the field.

The Ambridge trained band advance

Snell's regiment charge Fairbrother's regiment

The cavalry melee in the enclosure

The trained bands and Perks' regiment line the enclosure hedge

Carter's brigade reluctantly move forward

An enjoyable game, surprisingly won by the Royalists although they were outnumbered.  Steve was hampered by most of his commanders having a lower command factor and thus failing more tests.  The greater depth of the units somehow looked 'right' at least as far as being more like contemporary illustrations.  A bit more testing is required to establish whether they work in practice.

All being well Steve and I will be at the Vapnartak show on Sunday, running our Stamford Bridge game on behalf of the Lance & Longbow Society.  If you are attending the show please drop by and say hello and maybe even join in the game.