Vapnartak 2025

 Once again the first Sunday in February saw Steve and I have an early start for our annual trip over the Pennines to York for the Vapnartak Show.  The Lance & Longbow was putting on our usual Lion Rampant participation game and this year it featured the Battle of Stamford Bridge, from the Wars of the Roses.  We had run the game  about 8 years ago, but this time we tried it with 'Billhooks' sized units and it gave the players a bit more room for manoeuvre.

The scenario involved a force led by Thomas Percy, Lord Egremont intent on raiding Neville family manors in the region of Stamford Bridge, but finding that John Neville, Marquess of Montague with a large body of retainers was waiting for him.  Historically the affair was over very quickly, with some of Percy's men quitting the field when they saw the size of the Neville force.  To even things up the Percy force does not suffer these losses and also the Nevilles are deemed to be still forming up after deploying across the river.  This gives Egremont a chance to do some damage to the Nevilles before their better quality begins to tell.  Also we introduced some uncertainty by creating a flank force of Raby Nevilles, whose ultimate allegiance is unknown.  They were on poor terms with Montague's branch of the family and once the War of the Roses began they backed Henry VI, whereas Montague backed Richard of York.

Egremont's forces prepare to advance

Montague's men hastening to form up

Montague's right wing attacking the Percy left

The Raby Nevilles joined Montague and caused
mayhem amongst the levy infantry on Egremont's right

We ran the game twice and on each occasion the Raby contingent kept it in the family.  However this did not guarantee success.  You lose if half your units are eliminated, or your C in C is killed.  In both games Egremont was on the verge of defeat but was saved by Montague being killed in melee.

During our lunch break I managed a quick tour around the other games all but one of which were on the 2nd mezzanine floor.  Ken Riley (aka Yarkshire Gamer), had brought along his Siege of Forli Italian Wars game.

The East Leeds Militaria Society had the battle of Tabaruzaka which took place in the Satsuma Rebellion when Samurai rebelled against the Imperial government.  Traditional samurai took on the new Imperial Army which was equipped with modern weapons.

Brompton Bankers had an AWI game, Clash on the Alloway Creek.

Finally there was Sally Forth's game, Midshipman Hornblower and the Pirates which had a very nice walled harbour and town as the scene of the action.

My apologies to Lancaster Wargamers, Harrogate Wargamers and the Westow Academy who all produced very nice games, but a combination of shortage of time and the very bright sunlight which bleached out photos meant I did not any photos for the blog.  That being said they have all featured in video reports on Youtube from 'Storm of Steel' and 'Shakos and Spruces'.

This year the organisers made significant changes to the layout of the show meaning more space is available on the ground floor, greatly improving the flow of visitors.  The organisers stress the trade aspect of the show and indeed the show seemed quite busy, but the number of games on view has declined significantly over the last couple of years, only 14 this year and one of those didn't appear.  This may be replicated at shows elsewhere, I don't attend enough to judge and there are probably several factors at play here: fewer people offering games, organisers facing increased costs and needing more traders to cover expenses, I don't know.  It is just an observation of what may be a trend.

All that being said we had a very good day.  Interaction with the public was high, with plenty of people stopping to ask about the game, rules etc.  We also had a good number of volunteers to actually join in, which is gratifying.  Our thanks to Alan, Jim, John. Jeff and James and to anyone who I have forgotten.  Thanks also to Andy, Si, Steve and Will for their work on the game and the society stand.  As always Dave kept us going with tea and coffee.