https://www.flickr.com/photos/guard44/ (Pictures should be at the top of page at present)
Saturdays’ Swordpoint battle was an introduction for another friend into the heady excitement that is Swordpoint - Anglo Danish v Dark Age Scots
The commanders:
Steve & Richard - Anglo Danish
Mick and I - Dark Age Scottish
Points 1,400 per side (Slightly higher than the last game, more troops ready for battle this time out)
Army compositions:
Anglo Danish – Break point 12
King Harold
Ealdorman x4
Huscarl / Fyrd 4&4 bases Unit 1 (Extra Javelin + Stubborn – Sup Fighters)
Huscarl / Fyrd 4&4 bases Unit 2 (Extra Javelin + Stubborn – Sup Fighters)
Huscarl / Fyrd 4&4 bases Unit 3 (Extra Javelin + Stubborn – Sup Fighters)
Huscarl / Fyrd 4&4 bases Unit 4 (Extra Javelin + Stubborn – Sup Fighters)
Fyrd War band 10 bases (Rocks)
Fyrd War band 10 bases (Rocks)
Vikings Close order – 2H Axe - Sup Fighters
Coeri Skirmishers 6 bases - Javelin
Coeri Skirmishers 6 bases - Slings
Coeri Skirmishers 6 bases - Bow
Dark Age Scots – Break point 11
King Macbeth
X3 Sub Generals
X1 Highland Chieftain (Attached to Clansmen)
Skirmish Thanes x6 bases
Skirmish cavalry x6 bases
Skirmish cavalry x6 bases
Norman Knights x8 bases
Thanes x8 bases
Scots Spearmen x12 bases
Scots Spearmen x12 bases
Highland Clansmen x12 bases
Skirmish Javelins x6 bases
Skirmish Javelins x6 bases
Skirmish Viking Bow x6 bases
Skirmish Viking Bow x6 bases
You will see from the pictures the general perception at least from the Scottish side was that a frontal head on Huscarl v Scots spearmen confrontation would give an advantage to the Huscarl / Fyrd units so a let’s keep some distance at the start of the battle was decided (By the Scots) with a general left flank cavalry advance designed to spit the Anglo Danish battle line (Get them to redeploy to meet the threat on their right) The Scot Spear units also moved to their right assisting this objective.
To be honest this tactic probably caused as much confusion to the Scots as it did to the enemy, being somewhat let down by localised unit movement, (“Not getting units in the best tactical position causing a diluted effect”) For example allowing an AD Viking unit to charge and contact a Norman Knight unit on their way to the rear areas of the Huscarl / Fyrd battle lines).
Question, did the Scots spit their enemy initial battle formation – Yes, but they were not able to capitalise quick enough and some units were committed (Norman Knights) too far forward where being slightly in reserve would have been more effective.
The game saw most of the action on the Scots left flank (cavalry attacks / ranged fire) where at game end both sides had viable assets left to fight with. The main battle lines (Huscarl / Fyrd v Spearmen) did not get into the fight so we will never know the outcome (Game time up for the day).
Lots of mistakes and things to remember for the next game but very enjoyable.