The 5th century in Britannia part 10: Arthur’s 8th battle: Guinnion Fort: 489 AD:

 This article is my personal interpretation of events at this time. Any mistakes are my own.

At the Winter Solstice of 488AD, all the Kings are present once again at Caerleon for the Round Table Council:

Tutagaul: The usurped King of Alclud.

Einon: King of Gwynedd ( and Tutagauls host).

Cadell: King of Powys.

Geraint Llyngesic: King of Dumnonia and “ Navarch “ of the British Fleet.

Iddon Ap Ynyr: King of Gwent and close ally of Arthur.

This is a critical meeting. Arthur’s failure to pursue the Scots-Irish and Picts after the battle of the River Croquet is seen as a mistake. As the chorus of disapproval continues, Arthur’s temper starts to rise. At this  point Merlin, sensing the red mist enveloping Arthur, makes his presence felt. Although elderly and frail his mind is sharp and his eyes miss nothing. People fall silent at the sound of his voice;

“ The Saxons, Angles and Jutes ( collectively known to the Britons as Seaxons ) are now established in the East and as far West as Vectis ( the Isle of Wight ). Caw will attack Cambria ( the Roman name for Wales).. None of those present are strong enough to face the Dal and the Picts alone. None are prepared to work in alliance. The Commitatus led by the Pendragon is the only force that can face Caw”. The Dal and the Picts wish to restore their authority here. They will come in force”.

Arthur’s request that his army be expanded to 6000 men is reluctantly agreed to by the Council. King Iddon sends 2250 of his own men to Arthur.

In May of 489AD, Caw is Dunaverty, a Del Riatan settlement. It’s here that he meets Loarn Mac Eric, a High King of the Dal. He has bought 125 ships with 5000 warriors.. In agreement, Caw has also supplied another 5000 warriors with another 125 ships. Caw had nominated Briacat as war leader of his Pict army.

The three leaders are aware that the ships cannot make the trip down the West coast in one journey. Using the knowledge gained from warriors who have sailed the waters, a plan has been formed. 

In early June, the fleet sails from Dunaverty . The first landing is at Insulai Manavia ( the Isle of Man ). The warriors are told not to take slaves, only food and weapons. After the first trip of ninety miles, the next part of 54 miles is from Manavia to the Llyn Penninsular. Once there the fleet lands on the northern shore, just below the abandoned fort of Caer Gybi. Some warriors were once again sent ashore to gather what food they could find. On the next trip the fleet sails the 80 miles  to Aberaeron on the Gwent coastline,

As the warriors come ashore a camp is made. There is no opposition and no guards. On the third day, 8000 warriors start their advance South. The other 2000 are to guard the camp and raid the area.

At this time, Arthur is finally told of the enemy arrival. His suspicions have risen. Why had the Scouts not reported their presence?. On hearing the news Arthur orders the assembly. Light Cavalry were immediately sent out to find the enemy and report back. 1000 troops were assigned to defend Caerleon.

Within a few hours 5000 men of the Commitatus are ready to march. A few more hours and the Scouts come in to the fort. The word is, that the enemy are coming South toward Dolaucothi. Arthur orders the Army to  march to Brecon Gaer, a fort the Romans called Cicucium. This is where he will face the enemy. The fight for Cambria had begun.——————.

THE BRITON COMMITATUS: 5000 = 5pts x 8 = 40 points.

1 stand of Arthur’s Bucellari           @ 3 points.

4 stands of Veteran Infantry   @ 3pts = 12 points.

4 stands of Auxilliary Infantry  @ 2pts =  8 points.

4 stands of Light Archer Infantry  @ 1pt = 4 points.

3 stands of Auxilliary Cavalry  @ 2pts = 6 points.

Arthur  @ 3 points

Cadwy @ 2 points.

Owain  @ 2 points.

IDDON,S  MILITIA:  2250 = 2.250pts x8  = 18pts.

Rogatainus        @ 2pts.

4 stands of Archers  @ 1 pt = 4 pts.

6 stands of warriors @ 2pts = 12 pts.

THE SCOTS-IRISH ( DAL-RIATA ): 4000 = 4 pts x 8 = 32 points.

Learn Mac Eric    @ 2pts

4 stands of Archers/Slingers  @ 1pt = 4 pts.

12 stands of Warrior Infantry  @ 2 pts = 24 pts.

1 stand of Warriors on captured ponies.  @ 2 pts.

THE PICTS: 4000 = 4 pts x 8 = 32 pts ( inc 1000 Saxons ).

Briacat  @ 2 pts.

9 stands of Pict Warriors @ 2pts = 18 pts.

4 stands of Saxon Infantry  @ 2pts = 8pts.

4 stands of Light Archers @ 1 pt = 4 pts.

HISTORICAL NOTES:

Nennius wrote that Arthur’s 8th battle took place at Guinnion Fort. At first, I thought it might refer to Gobannium ( Abergavenny ). However archaeologists say that this was a wooden fort that fell apart after the Romans left the area sometime in the 3rd Century AD.

Brecon Gaer ( Roman Cicucium ) was the main fort in the area. It was a substantial structure and was inhabited well into the 5th century. At the height of the Roman occupation, this fort was one of the strongest Auxiliary forts in Wales, the stone wall dressed in white plaster ( the White Fort ? ). Arthur made a stand here but must have suffered a reversal because the next battle is at Caerleon, Arthur’s headquarters.

I have stated that the Scots-Irish, ( the Dal Riata ), and Picts were Arthur’s adversaries in this battle. Caw was an historical figure. He became war leader of the Picts and he did usurp Tutagaul and take Alclud ( Dumbarton Castle).

The Seaxons had suffered defeats from both Arthur and his late Uncle Ambrosius. Therefore they were in no state to mount another major attack. There was a continuous stream of Jutes, Angles and Saxons heading for Eastern Britain. The Briton “navy” such as it was spent most of its time guarding the Western coastline.  The ships could cope with one or two raiders but not with a whole fleet.

The Seaxons were preoccupied with settlement rather than attacking Cambria..Even then Arthur could not ignore that threat to concentrate on the situation in the North.

Arthur’s lack of striking power would have been noted by his enemies. The Picts and Scots could not advance on land as they would run the risk of being cut off from their homeland and starving to death.

Better to attack by sea, where they had a superior numbers and could strike where they wanted. I haven’t ruled out treachery either, with some of the Kings and Nobility jealous of Arthur’s success. What would be the future for their personal power and prestige ?. All this, and Medreut in the shadows————-.

GAME NOTES.

Those historians that have studied Arthur’s battles are split on wether this battle was on Hadrians Wall or within Wales. As far as I understand the situation, Hadrians Wall had, by this time, ceased to be of any military value. The forts along the wall had either fallen into disrepair or were occupied by small groups of locals.

I have gone with the latter conclusion, with Arthur’s headquarters being at Caerleon. King Iddon,s personal fortress being Carwent. Arthur must have lost this battle because Nennius puts Arthur’s next battle actually at Caerleon, therefore;

* The Scots-Irish and Picts retain the Initiative Point for the entire battle.

* The battle is played for 8 Game-Turns.

* The Scots and the Picts move first on the first Game-Turn.

* From Game Turns 2 to 8, both sides roll their die to determine who moves and fires first, who determines combat and wins any ties.

* I have represented the fort with a normal wall, my thinking being that although strong some decay would have set in. The wall itself counts as “ trench” for firing and close combat. The huts within the fort block movement and line-of-site..There may well have been the remains of a double ditch around the wall impeding movement.

* The winner, after 8 Game-Turns is the side that has lost the least number of stands.

CREDITS:

The Saxons, Scots-Irish and the majority of the Britons are Hat Industries figures. The Picts are from Redbox. Arthur, his Bucellari and his Veteran infantry and archers are from Newline Designs 20mm figures. The Boats are scratch built and the crew are Emhar Viking Ships crew.

The Picts and Scots standards were hand painted. Arthur’s standard and shield decals were from Little Big Man Studios.

The base cloth was from Deep Cut Studios. Some of the scenery tiles were made by Brian of Essex Miniatures supplemented by homemade ones consisting of two layers of cork tile. The trees were from various manufacturers one being Guagemaster.

The roads and rivers were of thin card. The stands were cut from picture framing card 40 x 40 mm square. The command stands are 40mm mdf and supplied by Minibits. The large mountains are made from blocks of roughed up packaging.

The buildings are from Peter Pig. The stone wall is from Alternative Armies.

Battle of Soor. North-Eastern Bohemia. September1745.

 This article is my my personal interpretation of the battle. Any mistakes are my own.

After the Battle of Bassignana, the Allied Alliance of Britain ( with Hanover ), Austria, Holland and Piedmont started to fragment.

King Charles Emmanuel, the Piedmontese Monarch, was none to happy with the Austrian General Shulenburg’s indifference to the plight of his Kingdom, particularly now that his Army was stuck in Alessandria and Asti under siege by Spanish and French forces.

Similarly, the Austrian Empress, Maria Theresa was not impressed by Britain’s continued insistence that she should come to terms with Prussia and confirm King Fredericks ownership of Silesia. In turn, Austrian Diplomats had been quietly talking to Ministers from Saxony and Russia.

In September of 1745, Fredericks army was camped in Bohemia. The campaign to take the Province had not been going well. The local population knew that the Austrian Empress would punish anybody helping the enemy. This included loss of personal property, banishment and in extreme cases, execution. Therefore the Prussian forces were continually harassed by groups of Bohemian citizen partizans.

The Prussian Monarch was in no hurry to give up the Province. However his grip was tenuous, made so because he could gather no intelligence from the hostile population.

The Austrian commander, Prince Charles, now reinforced by Saxon troops, was determined to force the Prussians from Bohemia. For his part, Frederick-was well aware of one major trait of the Austrian forces. It’s innate  ability to move very slowly. 

Frederick was more than happy that he could defeat the Austrians whatever they did. This overconfidence very nearly got his army destroyed ( a fact he later admitted to ).

The Prussian army of 23,000 was camped East to West facing South, near the village of Burkersdorf. The Austrian army of 40,000 managed to gain a position on the Graner Koppe, an eminence on the western flank of the Prussian position. During a pre-march Officers conference at about five in the morning, the King was told of the Austrian presence.

Very rapidly, Frederick realised the terrible position his army was in. Not only was there an enemy army on his western flank but Austrian light troops were holding positions on the hills around the northern route, back to Silesia. To cap it all his army was still at ease within the encampment.

Knowing the capabilities of his men and those of the enemy, The King ordered the only action open to him: Rouse the troops an mount an immediate attack!!———————-.

THE PRUSSIAN ARMY: 23,000.

17,000 Infantry, 6000 Cavalry, 40 guns.

2 stands of Grenadier Infantry  @ 3 points = 6 points.

3 stands of Line Infantry  @ 2 points = 6 points.

1 stand of Light Infantry Frei Korp  @ 1point.

2 stands of Light Foot Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

2 stands of Cavalry @ 2 points = 4 points.

1 stand of Hussar Cavalry @ 1 point.

King Frederick 2nd  @ 2 points.

General Ryau @ 1 point.

General Duke of Brunswick @ 1 point.

General Buddenbrock @ 1 point.

THE AUSTRIAN ARMY:  40,000. ( 40 points).

28,000 Infantry,  12,000 Cavalry (inc Generals), 90 Guns.

2 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 2 points = 4points.

8 stands of Austrian Line Infantry @  2 points = 16 points.

2 stands of Saxon Line Infantry @ 2 points = 4 points.

4 stands of Grenzer  Light Infantry @ 1 point = 4 points.

6 stands of Cavalry  @ 1 point = 6 points.

1 stand of Light Cavalry  @ 1 point.

General Lobkowitz  @ 1 point.

General Daun  @ 1 point.

General D’Aremburg  @ 1 point.

General Nadasty @ 1 point.

Prince Charles  @ 1 point.

2 stands of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points = 4 points.

1 stand of Light Artillery @ 1 point.

Fighting the Battle:

By any stretch of reality, this is a difficult battle to recreate. The Prussian army such as it was, pulled off an exceptional feat of arms.

Also, the Austrians seemed to suffer a complete paralysis of command. Having gained an unparalleled advantage over the Prussian army the Austrians then—-froze!.

This description belies the intense and savage fighting that took place when the Prussian infantry were twice repulsed from the Graner Koppe.

SPECIAL RULES:

* The Prussian  Army retains the Initiative Point for the entire battle.

*. The Prussians move first on the first Game-Turn. From Game-Turn 2 onwards, both sides throw a die to see who moves first at the start of the Game-Turn, however the Prussians FIRE FIRST on every Game-Turn.

* The Prussians win all tied results.

* The Prussians do not have two points deducted from ther die rolls when involved in close combat while being moved uphill.

* The Austrian Cavalry never moved during the battle until it was time to retreat. However if the Austrian player wishes to use them, there are restrictions:

* The Austrian Cavalry do not get the 3 points for attacking Infantry in the open.

* Because of the lack of unified action, the Austrian Cavalry do not get the “ +1” for Support in close combat.

* The Austrians have 2 points deducted from all their die rolls

GENERAL NADASDY;

Nadasdy’s Brigade were in woods to the east of the Prussian camp. Instead of attacking the rear of the Prussian army, Nadasdy, true to his nature, raided the Prussian camp, where his men set about brutalising and killing the civilians. They then plundered the army pay chests and took the personal belongings of the King including his flute and his pet dog! ( even though this was” the Age of Reason,” warfare was just as brutal as any other era ).

Papers containing important information of military manoeuvres and plans were scattered and left behind. After all that, Nadasdy and his men headed back into the woods,

If the Austrians wish to bring Nadasdy’s group into the game: A 12 sided die must be thrown for the group at the start of every Game-Turn. A score of 12 on the die must be attained before the group can move. If they cannot move, THEY CANNOT FIRE. This includes the two stands of Grenzer  positioned on each side of the Northern exit.

VICTORY:

There are two ways that the game can be concluded. The reason is because of the disparity in troop numbers between both sides and the unusual circumstances of the battle:

1) The Prussians win if they can get three stands on the Graner Koppe in any position at the end of any Game-Turn. Note, each Game-Turn must be played through until it’s conclusion.

2) The points total of each side IS HALVED, is noted,THEN EXCHANGED:

The Austrian army is 12 points. The Prussian army is 20 points. Each time a stand is removed from play, it’s points are deducted from the total. The first side to reach a zero total at the end of a Game-Turn looses the battle. ( a basic Morale rule).

The battle is played nominally for eight Game-Turns or, until either one of  the chosen conclusions above are reached.

Endnote:

This was a difficult battle to plan. Not many gamers would like to field an army, and have half of it just sitting there, Therefore I’ve tried for a possible inclusion which would not completely alter the history of the real battle.

As the Austrian army retreated, Frederick ordered a pursuit however his army were having none of it! As far as the men were concerned they had done their duty and performed a miracle on the day. Basically, by their heroic efforts they had pulled the Kings backside out of the fire and they knew it!

CREDITS:

Most of the figures are from Miniature Figurines with some from Peter Pig. The campsites and wagons are Peter Pig.

The flag poles are from Northstar Miniatures Spears. The flags are hand painted on masking tape ( I’ve just found out that Pendraken Miniatures do a nice range of 10mm flags that do not look out of place with 15mm figures.)

The stands are 40mm x 40mm and cut from picture framing cardboard. The round 40mm stands are MDF and obtained from Minibits ( which is part of Pendraken).

The hills are made from cork tiles and some were made by Brian of Essex Miniatures. The trees were from various manufacturers, one being Guagemaster. The houses were scratch built and the road was cut from thin card.

As before, the board is 3 feet ( 90cm ) x 2 feet ( 60cm) with 2 inch ( 50mm ) squares.