Neville and Percy confront the Scots

In preparation for our game night in two weeks, I plan to use two of the newly painted English and the Scots Common. To make the confrontation interesting and somewhat historical, a die roll would determine if Percy or Neville lead the main body of English with the second personality commanding an “allied contingent”. Two tests were planned with one taking place in hilly terrain, a second in arable.

Test one

Neville commanded the centre and right wing with a small contingent led by Percy on the left. Ignoring Percy, the Scots struck Neville’s position having weathered the rain of English arrows. The schiltrons shattered the English centre with Percy carried off the field; 5-1 for the Scots.

Test two

Percy in command, positioned Neville’s contingent in centre deploying the Flemish knights and Welsh on the left. As the Scots approached, the longbow effectively disrupted the schiltrons formations. With the schiltrons in disarray, the Scots redirected their effort against the English right placing Douglas to lead the assault. The Galwegians and highlanders succeeded in breaking the English right to end the battle, 4-1.   

Test three

To turn English fortunes around, a third test was played using the “collision course” variant. The Scots rapidly deployed two columns in line formation with a third column advancing along the river bank to meet Neville. Poor communication resulted in the English still forming their battle as the Scots advanced. Near the river bank, Neville fell victim to Highland archery opening an opportunity for the Galwegians to secure a position among the scrub.

Between the sodden field and scrub, the battle evolved as a series of isolated fights with both sides sustaining losses. By a narrow margin (4-3), Percy claimed victory.   

Observations

For each test, a terrain card was drawn which explains the river appearing in test two and three. The terrain cards speed the placement of terrain pieces to include less used features. Unfortunately for the English, no gentle hills were present in any battle.