Al-Andalus invade the kingdom of Castile

Invading Castile, the Arab-Berber army of al-Andalus met the Iberians on an open plain, to one side a small hamlet and opposite a forest line.

Castile placed its infantry on the flanks and positioned all the cavalry in centre, aimed at the heart of the Arab line. To counter, Arab and Berber spearmen supported by archers would meet the main threat while Berber light horse would probe the enemy’s flanks looking for weaknesses.

Castiles’ first wave floundered, failing to make any impression on the Berber ranks. Survivors regrouped behind their infantry allowing a second wave of knights to make their attack.

The Castilians, fully engaged with the Andalusian infantry became aware of the precarious situation as both flanks collapsed as Berber light horse and skirmishers overpowered the Castilian infantry, handing al-Andalus a convincing victory, 8-2.

Seeking revenge, both armies found themselves on the same battlefield but with deployment areas reversed. Learning from its mistake in the initial contest, cavalry and light horse were posted to the extreme flank to support their infantry leaving the Castilian knights to form the army’s entire centre.

This had the desired effect as the Castilian cavalry on the right bested the Berber light horse, leaving the infantry to put the Berber skirmishers to flight. Events on the Castilian left developed similarly, but with less drama, this left the Castilian nobles free to vent their rage on the line of Berber spear.

With cries of ‘Santiago’, infantry of the Arab center fell in quick succession forcing the emir to call for a retreat. Castile had its revenge, 9-2.

Observation

Cavalry and light horse that formed part of the initial wave in game one, no longer weakened the main assault in game two. The change in deployment ensured Castile a decisive victory.