Wed 30th September
Another thrilling installment in the O'Brien Irish saga this evening with a twist that everyone was on the same side with Dave providing random events and attacks on our forces which were helping to relieve and supply a besieged castle belonging to the Earl of Pembroke.
Henry de Clare had finally managed to marry Domnall Mor Vi Brain's daughter and thereafter the hirsute pa-in-law decided to die suddenly leaving all his lands to his greiving son-in-law who then decided in his father-in-law's memory to dot the landscape with a few castles.This obviously annoyed the local inhabitants and they decided to take back some of these castles and therefore some knights had been delegated to deliver supplies to our castle.This involved units of cavalry and infantry escorting various types of supplies mainly sheep,cattle,corn and essential flagons of Hobgoblin.
Rolling the highest number in a communal dice roll I decided to place my men and the cattle I was protecting in the vanguard of the column which was a pain in the ass to the rest of the players as I couldn't move my own men and cattle for love nor money.After finally getting my cattle to move they decided it was in their best interests to stampede albeit towards some Irish skirmishers who were getting ready to add some prime Irish beef to their diet.
My units blocking the road allowed the Irish ambushing units to attack units in the rear.First with hit and run tactics on Mr Ray Neal's wagons but they then vanished into nearby woods.
So we were set for an evening of slow movement up a narrow road with an Irish attack appearing every time a wood was passed.
After my first stampede my cattle kept up their consistency by stampeding in exactly the opposite direction making my men having to chase them again.
One of my partners in crime,Hugh Wilson,decided to throw fate to the wind and moved his men and the sheep he was herding around the side of my men towards the castle.This led to him being attacked by skulking Irishmen from a nearby wood.Although he lost some sheep he pushed his Irish foes off the table.He finally managed to move his men and sheep round my right flank hoping to make a dash for the castle along a seemingly deserted road.
Meanwhile Mr Ray decided to move crosscountry around my left side with his men
and wagons full of foaming ale but upon reaching a ford his force were attacked by some thirsty Fianna who engaged Ray's forces whilst some Irish skirmishers decided to confiscate the flagons of ale.
Bill's forces and wagons slowly moved up the road cursing at my forces blocking the road looking hopefully for a gap between myself and Hugh's column.Meanwhile at the rear Martin was patiently waiting for everyone to get out of his way.
My infantry on my left flank made their way up the hill to confront the Irish rustlers.They engaged them,scattered them and then proceeded to head for a wood full of the Irish who had been previously engaged with Hugh's forces.I finally made contact with them and supported by my crossbowmen(who had finally got the cattle under control) again pushed them back into the woods.
Hugh's forces were coming off better against his Irish opponents and then proceeded to move his sheep towards the castle only to be interrupted by more Irish encamped near a ford in front of the castle but this merely hindered him reaching his goal.
Ray's forces were still engaged and in order to deal with the bunch he was facing added his leader to the combat to weed out the Irish band of cutthroats in his way.It all went pear shaped for Ray as he first lost the cart full of Hobgoblin( a heinous crime)and then to his ultimate misfortune lost his general fighting against the Irish causing his forces to quit whilst the getting was good.He ended up taking charge of some Irish against Martin who was still slowly bringing up the rear.
Bill looked for and finally found a gap enabling him to move his wagons nearer the castle and also being able to engage some Irish with his cavalry.
Once again the hours and minutes ticked by and eventually the full time whistle arrived with Hugh the clear victor as he had arrived at the castle first(albeit minus a few sheep) and had dispatched some Irish peasants in the process.
A great game made better by the fact that we are all beginning to comprehend the rules better.Also another brilliantly planned scenario by Dave o'Brien showing his interest for the picked on Irish underlings.
Next game in a fortnight I believe is the battle of Inverkeithing during Cromwell's holiday venture into Scotland.
Scenario and figs-Dave o'Brien
Protaganists-Tim Watson
Mr Ray Neal
Bill Gilchrist
Martin Gibson
Hugh Wilson
Scenery-Hugh Wilson
Medieval banquet-Lady Suzanne( which included vegetables from the Wilson mansion garden).
Photos-Tim Watson -with my new camera graciously given to me by Lady Watson(only because she bought herself a new one).
Bill Gilchrist
Great report Tim plus your camera seems in perfect working order
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