Almost Cropredy Bridge ; An ECW scenario set in Kelhamshire

 Traditionally, the Sunday of the Phalanx Show weekend Steve hosts a big game for the Gentlemen Pensioners.  This year he selected an ECW game set in Kelhamshire using our in-house version of the Pike and Shotte rules.  The table was 16 feet by 6 feet and he had assembled around 1500 figures divided into 8 commands, 4 per side.

A view from behind the Parliamentary right flank

  

The Royalist army in march column

The scenario starts with the Lord Mechett's Royalist army marching north in column.  Half of the vanguard and half of the rearguard (both composed of cavalry) are off table.   Sir Victor Meldrew's forces appear on the Royalist flank, but only half the brigades are immediately available, the remainder are still making their way over various bridges and fords.

The Parliamentary infantry advance in the centre

There was soon action on both flanks as the opposing cavalry commanders tried to gain ad advantage.  The situation on the Parliamentary right was the most fluid, with units charging and counter-charging and the balance tilting one way and the other.

The Parliamentary cavalry attack their opponents who are still in column

A couple of photos provided by John
(the Royalist cavalry commander on this flank)

On the opposite flank, the Royalist cavalry commander was having difficulty recalling his leading units, but the leading infantry brigade continued marching forward and then deployed to give support.  This secured the Royalist right, but did mean that the central infantry were outnumbered.

The Royalist cavalry begun to form up, with their
infantry deterring an early Parliamentary charge

The impasse on the Royalist right/Parliamentary
left from both sides

In the centre, the Parliamentary infantry were having a few problems..  One unit  had 'blundered', received no orders and just stood in position  blocking the exit from the bridge.  This meant that a co-ordinated advance by all four brigades was not possible..  

The dragoons on the Parliamentary left deploy into some woods

In what was to prove a significant move, the cavalry commander on the Parliamentary left ordered his dragoons to move into some woods.  This one unit drew the attention of two Royalist infantry units , plus a gun even though the dragoons firepower was relatively small.  

The piecemeal advance of the Parliamentary infantry

The left hand Parliamentary infantry general gathered his units in the lee of the low hill in the centre and then advanced all of them together to threaten the Royalist centre.  His colleague on his right had got his first brigade forward at last, but the second was still crossing the bridge.  Nevertheless, the right hand infantry commander moved forward to engage the enemy, trading volleys, hoping to pin his opposite number in position.  For his part, the Royalist commander used just enough of his units to hold his position and maintained a reserve against possible setbacks.

The two infantry brigades on the left of the Royalist centre

Having made little progress exchanging volleys, the Royalist infantry commander decided to charge the Parliamentary infantry on the hill.  One of his units was stopped in its tracks by a telling volley, but the other continued up the slope into contact.  

There was no quick victory, but gradually the Parliamentarians gained the upper hand and pushed their assailants down the slope.  To the left of the melee the Royalists were gaining the upper hand in the musketry exchanges and the leading Parliamentary infantry unit was beginning to waver. Further to the left another Parliamentary infantry unit was pushing forward, but the courier carrying Meldrew's order for it to charge must have been unhorsed, because nothing happened.  Perhaps sensing a little unease among their opponents, the Royalists did not stand on ceremony and charged themselves.  A rather feeble volley did little to stop them and they crashed into the Parliamentary ranks.

More fighting in the centre

 On the Royalist right the cavalry battle had begun in earnest.  The Royalist commander had broadened his attack by moving round a small wood and forced his opponent to move his reserves to meet this threat.

Unfortunately, we now ran out of time, as some of the participants had to start their journey home.  A good day.  Thanks to Alasdair, Andy, Bob, Chris, Dave, John and Will for taking the various commands. Also, Steve for devising, setting up and umpiring the game and also explaining some of the finer points of the rules to those who were not familiar with them. 

The essential logistics ( a fine lunch) were provided by Gwen and Lynne.  

Perhaps it was as well for the Parliamentary cause that we stopped when we did.  The first cracks were starting to appear in the Parliamentary infantry I was commanding.  One unit was routing and a couple of others were shaken.