The 5th Century in Britannia part 8 Arthur’s Battle of the River Bassus 487 AD.

 The following is my personal interpretation, as a wargamer, of events in this era. Everything I have written here is conjectural but I have attempted to use history as a guide. Any mistakes are my own.

486AD, June to December. Arthur’s victory against the Seaxons is a cause of great celebration amongst the Britons. The senior Nobles are glad to see a Seaxon host defeated. Inwardly, they are concerned that Arthur would become Dictator, then use the army against them after defeating the Seaxons.

Once again during the Winter Solstice, the Kings gather at Caerleon. They are;

Alclud;  Tutagual. ( his father Cinuit has died).

Gwynedd;  Einon.

Powys;  Cadell.

Dumnonia;  Geraint Llyngesic. ( the Fleet Owner ).

Gwent;  Iddon Ap Ynyr. 

Arthur, with Merlin in attendance joins the Council. Despite their personal misgivings, the Kings declare their support for the Pendragon. They all consign a number of troops for the Commitatus. The conversation amongst the assembled Kings then turns to the invaders. All of them have stories of more Seaxons  arriving on the East and South coast.

In the North, there has been a steady stream of civilians crossing the river Trent. In the South, there are still dwindling communities of Britons fighting off Seaxon raiders east of Dumnonia. At Winchester, the South Gate is blocked off. At Silchester, the North and East Gates are also sealed. At Wanborough along with the other towns is a cadre of Citizen Militia led by the Town Prefect. These are called upon to fight off any raiding parties. These towns are still being supplied from Corinium ( Cirencester).

Meanwhile, in Lundene, Osla meets with Aelle. They are both aware of the Saxon defeat. They decide on a plan to cut off the supply route to the South and East, making it easier to take over the territory.

Seaxon spies have found out that the Tamesis can be navigated by boat. The Tamesis flows past Durnovaria. At this point the river becomes the Isis, which can be navigated as far as Lechlade where the road South can be disrupted.

Because the area south of the Tamesis around Durocorinium and Silchester, still has strong Briton garrisons, Osla and Aelle are aware that if they wish to strike at Arthur’s home territory, they must move through the Tamesis valley or on the river itself.

Lechlade is an old Roman Colonia, which has fallen into disuse and is sparsely populated.

In a combined effort sixty boats can be collected or made. Each boat can carry forty warriors and a Pilot. Because he has a ten day march to Lundene via Stane Street. Aelle can only call on 2,600 warriors. The rest are required to guard Chichester. Aelle’s warriors will go into the boats

Osla can call on on 5,000 warriors. He will lead his men West along Akeman Street toward the river Glyme. The idea is that Osla will distract Arthur so that Aelle can destroy Corinium. Aelle  and Osla come to an agreement. Osla will recognise Jutish Rights to land South of the Tamesis. In return Aelle recognises the Tamesis as the Southern border of Angle territory.

487AD,  January to April. Arthur and his Generals bring the army together at Caerleon training the men in formations. Meanwhile, cavalry patrols are still watching the border country. Reports are surfacing that Seaxon raids have diminished. Merlin has heard whispers that a major attack is imminent and that boats are involved.

Arthur sends a request to Geraint of Dumnonia for ships to patrol the Severn Estuary and the South coast, sailing East as far as Vectis ( Isle of Wight ). Toward the end of April, Arthur moves the army to Glevum. Into May, the number of Seaxon raids diminish even further. Arthur moves the army once more to Corinium, both to watch Akeman Street and the Isis. As the army is set in motion, a patrol arrives reporting that a Seaxon Army is advancing West along the Akeman Street route.

In a brief meeting with his Generals, Arthur tells them to advance to Lechlade. Once there the army is to prepare for battle and to ensure his Standard can be seen. A messenger is sent to Durocorinium asking for the Militia to assemble at Lechlade.

By positioning his army at Lechlade, Arthur is using his army as bait, hoping that the Seaxons will attack him on ground of his own choosing.

ARTHURS ARMY OF THE BRTONS = 4,600 = 4.6 points x 10 = 46 points.

1,200 Briton Veteran Infantry = 1.2 points x 10 = 12 points = 4 stands @ 3 points.

1,200 Auxilliary Infantry ( Hwicce) = 1.2 points x 10 = 12 points = 5 stands @ 2points + Rogatainus @ 2pts.

400 Light Archers = 0.4 pts x 10 = 4 points = 4 stands @ 1 point.

600 Elite Cavalry = 0.6 pts x 10 = 6 points = 1 stand @ 3 points + Arthur @ 3 points.

400 Regular Light Cavalry = 0.4 pts x 10 = 4 points = 2 stands @ 1 point + Owain @ 2 points.

300 Hwicce Light Archers = 0.3 pts x 10 = 3 pts = 3 stands @ 1 point.

500 Gwent Militia = 0.5 pts x 10 = 5 points = 1 stand of Militia @ 2 points + Cadwallon @ 1 point + Cadwy @ 1 point + Medreut @ 1 point.

Arthur has the army drawn up in and around the remains of Lechlade. Palisades are erected to the north of the town. The remains of the town wall facing South to the river Isis are reinforced.

When Osla arrives at the road junction, his Scouts tell him that the Briton army is to the South. Corinium is to the West. Osla wants to take the town but realises that Arthur is positioned on his Southern flank with his back to the river. The opportunity is to good to pass by. Eventually, the Angles are drawn up in their shieldwall facing the Briton position. For a while both sides stare at each other in silence. Arthur realises Osla is playing for time. It is not long before he finds out why. Aelle,s fleet of sixty boats makes an appearance.

Suddenly Osla raises his sword and with a massive “ HOOM” shouted by the warriors the Angle shield wall rolls forward and battle is joined.

OSLA AND THE ANGLES = 5,000 men = 5 points x 10 = 50 points.

Osla  @ 1 point.

23 stands of Warriors @ 2 points = 46 points.

3 stands of Light Archers @ 1 point = 3 points.

AELLE AND THE JUTES = 2,600 men = 2.6 points x 10 = 26 points.

Aelle  @ 2 points.

11 stands of Warriors @ 2 pts = 22 points.

2 stands of Light Archers @ 1pt = 2 points.

As the Veterans meet the attack from the North, the Jutes run their boats up the bank of the river and attack piecemeal. This attack is met by Rogatainus and his Suebian Auxilliaries. As Aelle steps up onto the bank he immediately realises that the plan has changed and directs his warriors at the Britons.

The fighting is hard and everything hangs in the balance. Arthur and his Generals are in the thick of the fighting as are Aelle and Osla.

After some four hours of fighting, the situation is becoming desperate. Arthur’s troops are putting up a strong resistance but numbers are beginning to tell. As the fighting continues, Arthur and his Generals become aware that the Seaxon attack is starting to falter. Briton warcries are heard from the Western side of Lechlade.

The arriving Britons are attacking Aelle.s Jutes. A decision is made to concentrate on the Seaxons attacking the North side of Lechlade. As the Britons press forward, the Angles start to give way. Arthur signals his Cavalry and they move forward. The Angles break. Arthur tells Owain to take some of the Infantry to aid Rogatainus. As the Jutes also break formation the slaughter begins.

Many men are killed at the riverbank as the remaining Jutes take to  their boats. Aelle manages to get free. Meanwhile the Angles are being harried by the Briton Cavalry. Arthur has once again prevailed, but the army has taken a battering. Both the Angles and the Jutes have also lost heavily.

The three Prefects and their Militias are praised by Arthur.

Mauric led 700 Militia from Glevum;  0.7 pts x 10 = 7 points = 3 stands @ 2 points + 1 leader @ 1 point.

Manseutas led 600 Militia from Corinium;  0.6 pts x 10 = 6 points = 2 stands @ 2 points, 1 stand of archers @ 1 point, 1 leader @ 1 point.

Andragius led 600 Militia from Durocornium; 0.6pts x 10 = 6 points = 2 stands @ 2 points. 1 stand of Archers @ 1 point. 1 leader @ 1 point

The day after the battle, the dead are buried and the army reorganised.. The Seaxon boats are broken up and burnt. On the second day, Arthur leads his army to Glevum and onto Caerleon. Aelle has taken his remaining warriors back to Lundene. A few days later Osla leads his survivors into the City. In subsequent meetings there are heated exchanges and recriminations. Eventually wiser heads prevail and a loose agreement is made to combine against Arthur in the future.

For the moment Arthur has been victorious, however, in private conversations with Merlin the subject is always;  how long can the Britons prevail.?———-

HISTORICAL NOTE;

Nennius places Arthur’s Sixth battle at the river Bassus. As I understand it “ Bassus “ is the feminine of “Bass”. The only part of a river in Britain with a female name is the Isis. This is ( as shown on the map ) the upper part of the Thames between Dorchester ( Durnovaria ) and Thames Head. The name is used in conjunction with the annual Oxford and Cambridge boat race in modern times.

Lechlade was a busy river port at the height of the Roman Empire, but gradually fell into disuse in the later era. The town was ( and still is) roughly eight miles from the Akeman street junction.

If Arthur wanted to watch both Akeman Street, The Isis and keep the army together then, much like Syagrius at Soissons, he needed the enemy to come to him. This is why I think Lechlade was chosen. As far as I can make out, Lechlade sits on a promontory of land with the rest of the ground east and west being flatter.

There must have been a reason for Nennius to say that Arthur fought a battle “AT” the Bassus.If Arthur placed his army there, the main route to his base at Caerleon would be undefended.As stated above, he needed to provide a powerful incentive to the enemy.

Therefore, to be there, Arthur must have had some notion of an imminent waterborne assault . Aelle would have had to use Stane Street  to move his men to Lundene. This would be to avoid any Frontier Briton settlements around Silchester. This would have been quite an undertaking, as the warriors would need enough food etc for ten days. ( Roman  Military Posts were no more than three days march apart.). The ammount of food available would dictate how many men go on campaign.

The Angles knew that Arthur’s army was a powerful fighting unit therefore they would need help. The Saxons were in no state to fight another campaign so the Angles need the Jutes. These people were still trying to establish themselves on the South coast, in an area close to Briton territory, therefore only a few warriors wold be available to support a direct attack into the Briton heartlands.

Would it be possible for the Germanic tribes to organise a strategic attack?. Well, by this time many of the Germanic warriors and leaders would have had some contact with the Roman Military either as foes or as Foederati. The leaders would have served as Officers. Looking at the lives of Aetius and Ricimer, I certainly think it is reasonable.

The sealing off of the gates at Silchester and Winchester is a fact, but nobody knows when this actually happened. The town of Reading came into being as a Germanic settlement. The names of the three Prefects are real and did exist but I don’t know when. However I thought they could help Arthur.

The boats used by the Jutes were of a Scandinavian design which could hold forty men and a Pilot. The current train of thought is that the Angles, Jutes and Saxons rowed across the North Sea and the Channel.

When looking at a map of Roman Britain, Cirencester is a major hub controlling the roads to the South of Britannia. The countryside was heavily wooded so the Roman Roads were still important to movement. Gaining Cirencester would put the Seaxons closer to the centre of Briton resistance at Caerleon. If the River Severn could also be controlled, that would sever communications with Amorica.

With regard to the Militia intervening in the battle, well, according to Google it takes four hours to walk from either Wansborough or Glevum. Given enough planning these men could get to Lechlade in time to effect the battle.

There are still more battles for Arthur to fight,—————.

THE BATTLE:

Some special rules are required to fight this action.

* The Britons retain the initiative for the length of the battle.

* The battle will last for 8 Game-Turns.

* The Angles and Jutes move first on the first Game-Turn. From Game-Turn 2 until Game-Turn 8, each side will dice to see which side moves and fires first.

* The Britons win any ties.

* The Town Militias enter play on Game -Turn 5. The Militia are moved when the Britons move. Aelle,s Jutes will attack the town first. They will not engage the Militia until they appear from the trees.

* Stands in boats are worth one point.

* Stands cannot fire while in a boat.

* The palisade counts as a trench for the Britons.

* If the walls are attacked, the attacker looses 4 points. = 2 points for attacking uphill and a further 2 points points for attacking the wall.

*  The soft ground to the East of Lechlade cannot be entered.

* Boats move at two squares and cannot move if there is no crew.

* The buildings cannot be moved. The buildings inhibit movement and block line of sight for firing.

CREDITS;

The figures are mostly Hat Miniatures. Some are from Newline Design so a mixture of plastic and metal. The boat crew tokens were made from cutting plastic figures in half.

Most of the standards were scratch made from masking tape but Arthur’s standard is a decal from Little Big Man Studios as is the Elite Cavalry Standard. The standards are made from javelins supplied from North Star Miniatures.

The buildings were from Peter Pig. The walls and palisade are from Alternative Armies. The hills are a mixture of premade by Brian of Essex Miniatures, the others being scratch made from cork tiles. The trees are by various manufacturers, Guagemaster being one. The river and roads are made from thin card.

The tree outlines were made made by S and A scenics. The round mdf bases on some of the trees and command bases are 40mm and are from Minibits. The square stands are made from picture framing cardboard.

* The boats are scratch built from cardboard.

The 5th Century in Britannia Part 6; Arthur The Warlord.

 As before, this is my interpretation of events in this era as a wargamer

484AD ; Ambrosius has been buried in the old amphitheatre at Caerleon. At the Winter Solstice, all the Nobles are gathered in the former headquarters building of the Legionary fortress. They are there to decide who will be the next Pendragon. Some of the Kings have been lost by feud or by natural death. The current leaders are;

Dumnonia ; Geraint Llyngesic [ 480 to 514AD ] " The Fleet Owner",his son Cadwy.

Gwynedd ; Einon [ 500AD ] with his sons Cadwallon and Owain.

Powys ; Cadell [ 500AD ] with his son Cyngen.

Alclud ; Cinuit  [480 to 485AD ] who will be succeeded by his son Tutagual.

Gwent ; Iddon Ap Ynyr [480 to 490AD] with his son Caradog.

Note; Although Carleon is in Gwent, King Iddon has his own stronghold at Carwent. Carleon is regarded as an army base, as it was when the Legions were present.

As before, the asssembled Nobility cannot agree as to whom is to lead them. The one person who has any influence, Merlin Aurelianus is bought before the assembly. He is neither Druid or of the Church. However the 59 year old has deep knowledge. He was given his cognomen by Ambrosius. The question is put to Merlin. Who will be Pendragon?. After a moment of thought, he gives his answer;

ARTHUR.

The chamber explodes in a babble of angry voices. Merlin raises his hand and all goes quiet. Merlin reminds them that Arthur Ap Uthyr Ap Constantine was born out of Wedlock. He is not related by bloodline to any Royal House. If Arthur prevails against the Seaxons, the Dal and the Picts, all will share in his glory. If Arthur fails, no Royal House will be condemned.

The next question is of the Army. All Merlin will say is that the Army will be ready. In his mind Merlin knows the outcome of the battle between the Red and the White Dragon.

485AD; As this year progresses to April, a number of incidents happen which although not connected, will have a major influence on the future.

* In Gallaecia, Riothamus has a major problem. Hermeric, the elected High King is Aryan. He issues an Edict that all Catholics must convert or face exile. By April, 9,500 Suebians are crammed aboard 80 ships heading North to Totnes in Dumnonia.

*Hispania is almost a Visigothic Kingdom. Euric has died and has been succeeded by his son Alaric the 2nd.

* At the same time Clovis who has succeeded his father Childric the 1st, as King of the Franks moves to Paris ready to invade Soissons.

* At the end of March 485AD, at Caerleon, in front of the Army veterans the 18 year old Arthur is raised on a shield and proclaimed as Pendragon.

* In Amorica [ Brittany ] Budig the 2nd [ also known as Emyr Llydaw] is not only King of Cornouaille but also High King of Amorica. His son Riwal Mawr becomes one of Arthurs officers.

By the end of April 485, the ships carrying the Suebians reach Dumnonia. Geraint assembles his troops but the men are stood down when sprigs of leaves are seen tied to the prows of the approaching armada.

Soon Riothamus meets with Arthur, Merlin and King Iddon. The Suebians are allowed to settle around Glevum and along the River Severn with their families. The language of the Suebians is close to the Brythonic-Celtic spoken by the Britons. These new settlers become known as the "Hwicce" or "the friendly ones".

By May of 485AD, frontier raiding has been resumed between the Britons and Seaxons. Arthur wants to lead a major expedition into eastern Britannia to disrupt the continuing arrival of Seaxon settlers. However Merlin urges caution. The army is not confident in its new leader and the loyalty of the Kings is suspect.

From May to December 485AD, there are no major battles. The Navy of sixty ships commanded by Geraint patrol the West coast preventing raids by the Dal. There are still Briton communties in the south-east but they must survive on their own.

During this time,  the army is trained up with recruits from the Suebians. Riothamus is now to elderly to lead his people. He elects Rogatainus as a new leader. The Army that Arthur is to lead is of 5,000 men.

1,200 Veteran infantry in 4 cohorts of 300 men.

400 Light Archers in 2 cohorts of 200 men.

500 Elite Cavalry in one cohort.

400 Regular light Cavalry in one Cohort.

2,000 Hwicce infantry in 10 cohorts.

200 Hwicce light archers in one cohort.

300 Hwicce Light cavalry in one cohort.

The five Commanders are; Arthur [  The Pendragon], Medreut, Owain, Cadwy and Rogatainus.

note; 300 Suebians are given to Merlin as his Hearthguard.

March 486AD; The senior leaders of the Seaxons hold their Witan in Londene [London]. In the previous two years another 20,000 Jutes, Angles and Saxons have landed at points along the eastern and southern shoreline of Britannia. Food, shelter and donatives to pay their hearth troops were a priority for these leaders.

For Aelle,Bardulf, Colgrin and Osla there was only one option. Take the fight to the Wallisch. This time the Seaxons decide on different targets. Bardulf and Colgrin are taking their warbands North-west across the river Trent. Aelle and Osla want to attack westward along the Tamesis using the Akeman Street route.

Aelle has 3,800 warriors amongst the Jutes.

Bardulf and Colgrin can call upon 6,000 Saxons.

Osla has 4,800 Angles.

some of these warriors will be left to guard settlements.

April 486AD; A messenger gallops into Caerleon. The South Seaxons are on the move once more toward the Glyme. The horns are sounded. The army is assembled.

This time Aelle and Osla lead their Warbands further South from the site of the previous battle.

2nd Battle of the River Glyme, May 486AD.

The Seaxon Army; 6,500.

Aelle; 2,800 Jutes = 2.8 x 10 = 28 points.

1 General [Aelle] @ 2 points.

12 stands of Warriors @ 2 points = 24 points.

2 stands of Light Archers @ 1 point = 2 points.

Osla; 3,700 Angles = 3.7 x 10 = 37 points.

1 General [Osla ]  @ 1 point.

17 stands of Warriors  @ 2 points = 34 points.

2 stands of Light Archers @ 1 point = 2 points.

The Briton Army; 5,000 = 5.0 pts X 10 = 50 points.

1,200 Regular Infantry = 1.2 pts x 10 = 4 stands @ 3 points each = 12 points.

400 Light Archer Infantry = 0.4 pts x 10 = 4 stands @ 1 point each = 4 points.

500 Elite Clibanarii Cavalry = 0.5pts  x 10 = 1 stand @ 3 points + 2 Generals [ Arthur and Medreut] @ 1 point = 2 points.

400 Regular Light Cavalry = 0.4 pts x 10 = 1 stand @ 2 points + 2  Generals [ Owain and Cadwy ]@ 1 point = 2 points.

2,000 Hwicce Infantry = 2.0 pts x 10 = 10 stands @ 2 points = 20 points.

200 Hwicce Light Archer Infantry = 0.2 pts x 10 = 2 stands @ 1 point = 2 points.

300 Light Tribal Cavalry = 0.3 pts x 10 = 1 stand @ 2 points + 1 General  [ Rogatainus ]@ 1 point.

Notes;

* The Britons retain the Iniative Point for the entire battle.

* The battle will last for eight Game-Turns.

* The Seaxons move first on the first two Game-Turns.

* From Game-Turn Three until Game-Turn eight, the Britons move first

* The Briton Army fires first on each Game-Turn.

* The Glyme is not very deep, so stands can move through with no penalty.

Once again both armies face each other  across the River Glyme. Aelle is contemptuous of the Britons, having been responsible for the death of Ambrosius. Confident that his warriors will easily beat the Britons again, he leads his men across the river.

Osla, seeing Aelle advancing, does not want the Jutes taking all the credit for this victory so he also leads his warriors forward.

This time , as the Jutes and Angles  attack,  they are stunned to hear Germanic voices within the Briton army.  The Wallisch are also putting up a stern resistance. As the battle went on the Seaxons start to tire. 

Arthur seeing the Seaxon line falter gives the signal. As the horns are sounded the Briton line parts and Owain brings the cavalry forward into the enemy. This is enough to break the Seaxons.

The cavalry are reformed as the infantry go forward to pursue the enemy through the trees. Nightfall brings an end to the slaughter. Three days later, Arthur leads his victorious army into Caerleon amid great rejoicing.

They do not have time to rest before another urgent message arrives at Arthur,s headquarters. More Seaxons are west of the Trent!

*Most of the figures are Hat Industries with some of the figures being Newline Designs.

*Arthurs horse is from Ceaser Miniatures.

* The hills were made by Brian at Essex Miniatures.

* Some of the tree bases are from S and A Scenics.

* The trees are from various manufacturers.

* The square 40mm stands are made of picture framing cardboard.

* The round 40mm bases are from Minibits.

Historical Note;

Nennius wrote that Arthurs first battle "was at the mouth of the River GLEIN".  I think he got the spelling wrong. I think it was GLEIM from the Anglo-Saxon GLOEM,which means "sparkle' or "glitter".

The current River Glyme gets its name from Old Brythonic, meaning " bright water", so thats  why I put the battle there.  I inadvertantly stumbled on this when I was trying to work out logically where Ambrosius would face the Seaxons.

The  mouth of the River GLYME joins the river EVENLODE near the village of Bladdon. The village got its name from the old name for the EVENLODE, which was the BLADE.

The River Glyme also marks the frontier of what I think ,was Briton territory at that time.

Finally, the river Glyme runs through the Blenheim estate at WOODSTOCK. It was partially dammed by the famous landscape gardener, Capability Brown to form shallow lakes.

The 5th Century in Britannia: Part 5. Ambrosius, Aelle, and the Seaxons.

As before, this blog is my “ best guess “ as a wargamer, of events in this era, and an attempt to bring some reality to a rather hazy history.

 473AD: By this time Ambrosius [ Emrys Wledig ] is 63 years old. His Wards Arthur and Medreut are 6 and 8 years old respectively. Arthurs sister Anna is also 6. In eastern Britannia there are still communities trying to scrape a living from the soil. However they were in constant fear of the "Seaxon" raiders from the sea.

Note; All warriors of Germanic or Scandanavian origin could have been known to the Britons as Seaxons because of the fighting knife, the "Seax" that they all carried. The Seax had a blade 12"  [ 30cm ] long which broadened at the point and had a single cutting edge.The grip was 4" [ 10cm ] long.

There is the possibility that in time the word “Seaxon” became”Saxon”. Therefore all Germanic invaders were Saxon and could be why the Angles and Jutes fade into the historical background.

These weapons were relatively easy to produce with better quality items reserved for upper class warriors and leaders.

474 to 476 AD; Despite his best efforts, Ambrosius cannot stop Britannia fragmenting into smaller Kingdoms. Merlin is still in the background. As a Briton-born individual, who can also speak Latin he is always with Ambrosius in Council meetings.

The Round-Table Council of Britannia is now held at Caerleon.There are many leaders present. However through marriage and feud five main Kings have become the most powerful and regard themselves as equals. These are;

Erbin of Alclud.

Einon of Gwynedd.

Cadell of Powys.

Cador of Dumnonia.

Nynniaw of Gwent

The Allies of Ambrosius, Hoel and Riothamus have returned to their respective territories taking their troops with them. Amorica is under constant attack from Eurics Visigoths. Riothamus has problems not only with the Visigoths but also Geiserics Vandals.

Ambrosius has a hard time convincing the assembled Nobles that he needs a mobile army [ a Commitatenses], in order to stop any Seaxons settling in Britannia.  These new Kings do not trust each other and they regard Ambrosius as an Outsider, but they are in awe of Merlin. They grudgingly supply Ambrosius small numbers of men for the Field Army. His only Veterans are some of his Officers and his Cavalry.

Meanwhile, in Gaul the Saxons, Jutes and Angles are being forced out of Normandy and the Loire Estuary. there are also Germanic  warriors on Andum [ Jersey] and Lesia [ Guernsey].

476 AD; In Italy, the Western Roman Empire was in its final death throes. A barbarian Patrician by the name of Orestes had seized power. In turn he had promoted his son Romulus Augustulus [aged 16] to the position of Emperor. The centre of power in the waning Western Empire is Arelate ( Arles ) in south- eastern Gaul.

A Foederati General named Odoacer is the next to sieze power. Odoacer has Orestes killed. he then has Romulus exiled to Castelum Lucellum. Romulus is never heard of again.

Odoacer has the Imperial Regalia sent to the Emperor Leo in Constantinople with a message  saying that it was no longer required. With this act the Western Roman Empire ceased to be.

477 AD;  The incursions into Britannia begin in the Spring. Ambrosius at Caerleon gets a report that a large group of Seaxons with women and children have landed at Selsey. The leader of this group is called Aelle. he has three sons; Cymen, Wlencing and Cissa, along with 2000  Jutish people including 800 warriors in 20 ships.

Aelle moves north and attacks Chichester ( Noviomagus Reginorum). The town is in a poor state with dilapidated walls and there is only a small population. These people are killed or driven out with most making their way to Portus Aderni [ Portchester ].

As Ambrosius musters the army, more reports are coming in of Seaxon landings. Fifty ships have landed at Lundene on the Thamesis, carrying 5000 people including 2000 warriors. This is the Saxons under Bardulf and his brother Colgrin.

A third landing has taken place on the estuary of the river Welland. Another 2000 people including 700 warriors. This is Osla with his tribe of Angles.

477AD; Ambrosius decides that Aelle has to be dealt with first. Giving the army a victory would give them confidence. Ambrosius gives Medreut his first independent command.

In July Medreut sets out with his force taking seven days to reach the Chichester area via Glevum and Silchester. The force consists of;

3 cohorts of Auxilliary Infantry @ 200 men = 600.

600 = 0.6 x 40 = 24 points = 12 stands of Auxilliary Infantry @ 2pts.

1 Cohort of Light Archers @ 200 men;

200 = 0.2 x 40 = 8 points = 4 stands of Light Archers @ 1point = 4 points.

Medreut @ 1 point.

Owain @ 1 point.

2 stands of Militia Light Archers @ 1 point = 2 points.

1 Cohort of Light Cavalry ( javelins, spear, sword, shield, helmet ) @ 200 men;

200 = 0.2 x 40 = 8 points = 4 stands @ 2 points.

Aelle has been told of the Britons approach and draws up 700 warriors on Dummer Hill just north of Chichester ;

700 = 0.700 x 40 = 28 points;

Aelle @ 1 point.

Cissa @ 1 point.

Cymen @ 1 point.

Wlencing @ 1 point.

4 stands of Light archers @ 1 point = 4 points.

10 stands of Warrior Infantry @ 2 points = 20 points.

Some of the warriors under Cymen,s command are left within Chichester to protect the people. ( 2 stands of Warriors and 1 stand of Archers ).

Here are the opposing armies laid out for battle;

NOTE; There are two ways to fight this battle

1] Allow the Jutes to move first and fire first on every Game-Turn and to keep the Initiative Point on every Game-Turn.

This would stop the Briton army from being able to manouvre. Also, with no space to allow for "move-backs", the Briton army would start losing stands quite early in the game.

2] Play the game in the normal way.

The Watchtower can only be entered by Infantry.  One movement phase is required to move in. One movement phase out. Stands can Fire or engage in Close Combat after the Movement phase of the same Game-Turn.

Each game is played for 8 Game-Turns.

-------------------------“------------------------------

As Medreut forms his men Aelle leads an all-out charge downhill into the Britons. Before Medreut can react the men break! 

Some try to put up a fight but they are no match for Aelle,s seasoned warriors. Medreut joins Owains cavalry in fighting a rearguard action.

Having retreated, Medreuts force makes a weary journey back to Caerleon. Aelle now establishes his group in the area.

Noviomagus becomes Cissa-ceaster.  Modern Selsey becomes Cymensora at that time and the village of Lancing gets established.

The Winter Solstice of 477 brings a stormy meeting at Caerleon. Ambrosius asks the Kings for more support, pointing up the success of the Jutes and the possibility of the enemy tribes combining with the Scots-Irish. It is only a matter of time before the homelands are invaded.

After a series of angry meetings. Ambrosius gets the troops he needs. Towns on the frontier like Viroconium are repaired and manned. The fleet stays protecting the West coast.

478 to 483 AD; In this six year period, the Briton mounted troops continuously attack Seaxon terrritory. The infantry go out in small bands raiding where they can. Arthur and Medreut are 16 and 18 respectively and leading raids into enemy territory aided by experienced warriors

484 AD;  A pivotal point is reached. The Seaxons hold their first Witan ( a Council) at Lundene, which is now an Angle settlement.

The people are angry with their leaders because of the continued attacks by the “ Walisch “( the Britons ). A decision is made to attack into Gwent and on to Caerleon.

In May, 400 Jutes under Aelle, 500 Saxons under Bardulf, 500 Saxons, under Colgrin  and 800 Angles under Osla gather at Verulamium ( Saint Albans ). Bardulf is elected as leader. Three days later this army of 2,200 men commences the march westward on the old Roman road of Akemen Street toward Glevum.

Ambrosius, on hearing of this advance by the Seaxons, musters the army in the old amphitheatre at Caerleon. The army is expecting him to lead them. At 73 he can feel his body failing him but he knows he has to be there.

 Arthur is to lead the Elite Clibanarii,  Medreut, the  Infantry. Owain is to lead the Light Cavalry and assist Medreut. Morfael one of Nynniaw,s Veterans is to lead the Gwent Militia. The Briton Army of 2,600 men =2.6 x 20 = 52 points.

1,200 Auxilliary Infantry [ Javelins, Plumbata, Swords ] in 6 Cohorts; 1,200 = 1.2 points x 20 = 24 points = 12 stands @ 2 points each. 

200 Light Archers in 1 Cohort = 200 = 0.2 x 20 = 4 points = 3 stands of Archers @ 1 point + Owain @ 1 point.

200 Light Cavalry in 1 Cohort ( spear, javelins, helmet, sword and shield ).= 200 = 0.2 x 20 = 4 points = 1 stand @ 2 points + Arthur @ 1 point + Medreut @ 1 point.

300 Elite Clibanarii Cavalry in 1 Cohort = 300 = 0.3 x 20 = 6 points = 1 stand @ 3 points + Ambrosius @ 3 points.

500 Gwent Militia  [ javelins and spears] = 500 = 0.5 x 20 = 10 points = 5 stands @ 2 points each.

200 Gwent Light Archers = 200 = 0.2 x 20 = 4 points = 3 stands @ 1 point + Morfael @ 1 point.

A feeling runs through the Army that this is THE battle. weapons and armour are bought to their best. The Army takes the road leading East marching past Glevum. After three days, the Briton force reaches the valley of the River Glyme.

Ambrosius knows this is where he will fight his last battle so has donned his best armour. the Seaxon Army is also drawing near having arrived at the abandoned site of Alchester on the Akeman street route.

The next day, the two opposing armies draw up on opposite sides of the gently undulating valley.  The Seaxons facing West, the Britons East.

The Seaxon Army lines up in order;

Left Wing; 800 Angles = 800 = 0.8 x 20 =16 points= 7 stands of warriors @ 14 points + 1 stand of Light Archers @ 1 point +Osla @ 1 point.

Left centre; 500 Saxons = 500 = 0.5 x 20 = 10 points= 4 stands of warriors @ 2 points + 1 stand of Light Archers @ 1 point + Colgrin @ 1 point.

Right centre; 500 Saxons = 0.5 x 20 = 10 points = 4 stands of warriors @ 2 points + 1 stand of Light Archers @ 1 point + Bardulf @ 1 point.

Right wing; 400 Jutes = 400 = 0.4 x 20 =8 points = 3 stands of warriors @ 2 points + 1 stand of Light Archers @ 1 point + Aelle @ 1 point.

NOTE; All the warrior infantry carry throwing weapons. The River Glyme is very shallow so any stands can move and fire as normal while positioned in the river.

 However the Cavalry do not get the 3 points for attacking Infantry, if the Cavalry stand is itself positioned in the river.

The game is played for 8 Game-Turns.

Aelle and Ambrosius; 

 At the end of the 8th Game-Turn, if the stand representing Aelle is in an adjacent square to Ambrosius, one six sided die is thrown by the Seaxon Player. On a roll of 3,4,5 or 6 ; Ambrosius is removed from the board.

Ambrosius exhorts his men. Failure would mean the end for their families and country. Bardulf, being the elected leader of the Seaxon force tells the army that failure would see them and their families being swept into the sea!

After a brief moment of reflection, Ambrosius raises his sword with the battlecry; DUW A PRIDAIN!

Bardulf replies with WOTAN! 

After six hours of fighting both sides are exhausted with neither gaining an advantage. All the leaders are caught up in the fighting with the heaviest combat centred on Anbrosius’s position. Even the cavalry has been negated by the terrain. In a last ditch attempt Ambrosius launches his Clibanarii at the right wing of the Seaxon army where Aelle is positioned. This time Ambrosius with Arthur leads the attack. Aelles men lock shields as the horsemen approach uphill.

The horses can only trot at the enemy infantry and cannot force the line. As the fighting ebbs away, Aelle launches a spiculum which finds its mark. Ambrosius is mortally wounded! As the two sides draw apart the Seaxons withdraw behind locked shields. The Britons are to tired to pursue. The Britons claim a victory but it is phyrric.

The body of Ambrosius is carried back to Caerleon to be buried. The morale of the Army is low. the people are frightened. In the meantime the Seaxons have dispersed back to their settlements in high spirits. The Germanic settlers know they have won a great victory. Aelle,s status rises amongst the tribal leaders.

As the Winter Solstice of 484 arrives, the Kings gather to  bury Ambrosius, and to decide what to do next. Without the personal force  of Ambrosius, each King refuses to appear subservient to the others.  There is only one remaining character who has the Power and Mystery to exert any influence;

MERLIN.

As before, the table I use is 3 feet x 2 feet ( 60cm x 90cm). The figures are nearly all Hat Industries with some Newline Designs and Miliart..

The square bases are from picture framing card. The round bases are from Minibits.

The representation of Chichester is scratchbuilt. The Watchtower is an old model of a Saxon building with a scratcbuilt tower added.

The hills are from Brian at Essex miniatures. One hill is made from a garden kneeling pad from Wilkinson’s.

The wood bases are from S and A Scenics and the trees are from various manufactures

The river and road sections are cut from thin cardboard.

The Seax  or Scramasax