In 894, a battle was fought
between a Danish Army and an Anglo-Saxon army with Welsh allies near the border
of Powys and Mercia. History would record this engagement as the Battle of
Buttington which ended in defeat for the Danes and essentially curtailed
further Viking incursions in the west. Two Viking armies kept King Alfred
occupied a smaller third army; under the command of Danish king Hastein
threatened the western lands of Wessex and Mercia. This left Aethelred and ealdormen Aethelhelm, Aethelnoth, and others who were charged with defending
various towns and cities to confront the new threat. Together, they assembled a
great army consisting of both Saxons and Welsh and caught the Heathen Army near
Buttington. The Vikings had built a fortification and were soon surrounded. Besieged
for several weeks the starving Vikings attempted to break out but were beaten
and put to flight.
A.D. 894. When they were all collected together,
they overtook the rear of the enemy at Buttington on the banks of the Severn,
and there beset them without on each side in a fortress. When they had sat
there many weeks on both sides of the water, and the king meanwhile was in
Devonshire westward with the naval force, then were the enemy weighed down with
famine. They had devoured the greater part of their horses; and the rest had
perished with hunger. Then went they out to the men that sat on the eastern side
of the river, and fought with them; but the Christians had the victory.
From the Anglo Saxon Chronicle
The Battlefield
This scenario is a departure from the usual set piece
battles, but should nonetheless prove an interesting challenge for the Danish
player. The most likely site of the battle is somewhere between Buttington and
Welshpool in the county of Powys. Welshpool (Y Trallwng) literally means the
‘marshy or sinking ground’ making Buttington a better choice as a battle site it
is set on rising ground and nearby forests provide building materials for the
camp. On a side note, Buttington lies astride Offa’s Dyke; built a century
earlier this places the earthwork near to the battlefield.
Regarding terrain features, the Danes are described as
defending a ‘fortress’, however DBA 3.0 limits the garrison of a ‘fort’ to one element..
For this scenario we should consider the ‘fortress’ to be an enlarged camp. Its
defence does add to combat and its interior is considered good going for
movement.
Therefore, the battlefield should be considered
‘hilly’ and would have one difficult hill, two woods with an enlarged camp (3BW
x 4BW) to be placed in the centre of the board.
The Armies
The Danes are
taken from Book III/40b list which offers eleven blade and a twelfth element
being psiloi, bow or berserker. However, considering the state of the Danes after
several weeks of siege, their number would be reduced. For this scenario, the
Danes total nine elements which mean defeat is reached with the loss of three
elements.
The army of Mercia
are taken from Book III/24b; however, this sub-list does not have the Welsh as allies. For this scenario the Welsh
allies (III/19a) are present as [1 x general (3Bd), 1 x warrior (3Wb), 1 x
skirmisher (Ps)] and these replace any three Mercian fyrd elements.
Deployment
The Danes must break the siege and withdraw their
force off any board edge. As the defender they move first, but for this
scenario the Danes deploy their troops after the Anglo-Saxons. This offers a
slight advantage in selecting a board edge to exit. All movement distance is as
per foot type as horses are no longer available. The Danes are defeated with the
loss of three elements.
The army of Mercia must surround the ‘fort’ at a
distance of 6BW from its walls and for this scenario, the allied army deploys
first, followed by the Danes. The Mercian player is free to deploy his troops
around the perimeter but the Welsh must be grouped together (allied contingent).
The Mercian player should be aware that some troops will be placed beyond command
distance.
Recommended
Reading
Anglo Saxon Chronicle, Guttenberg Project (online).
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