The Peasant Republics

My latest search for obscure medieval conflicts brought me to events closer to home, the County of Holland and Frisia. Frisia is one of a number of Peasant Republics that existed between the 13th and early 16th century, others are Butjadingen, Stadland, Stedingen, Land Wursten, Land Hadeln and Dithmarschen. Most were absorbed by the territorial expansion of local princes with Frisia and Dithmarschen holding autonomy until the 16^th century.

Free Canton Army

Needing only foot figures, this would seem to be an easy army to collect. Searching the box of ‘extras’ however, produced too few figures for a complete army, however, opening a second box, did reveal camp followers, mobile baggage and a peasant army of 12 elements. The latter were assembled years ago for a scenario and had not seen any further use since. That would change.

Five of the twelve elements were repurposed for the Free Canton and the next two days were spent cleaning and replacing weapons with brass rod for pikes. All figures are Legio Heroica and lacking helmet and armour; brighter colours were used for their clothing.  

 Flags

Five flags were painted for the Free Canton army. Like all my late medieval army, flags are interchangeable increasing their potential for historical battles. Below are the flags made for Frisia, Groningen, Stedingen and Dithmarschen. Although conjectural, colours are based on coat of arms for the entity. The seven waterlilies (pompeblêden) commonly seen on the Frisian flag would make their appearance during the 16^th century and were omitted for the early period.

Source: Wapens, Vlaggen en Zegels van Nederland, T. van der Lars, Amsterdam

 

IV/13e Free Canton (littoral)

1 x general (3Pk), 8 x spearmen (3Pk), 1 x Frisian dardiers (4Ax), 2 x archers/slingers (Ps).

Note, The DBMM Free Canton list a few sword and axe wielding peasants (3Bd).

The Battle of Brunanburh 937

This scenario is based on the final novel of Bernard Cornwell’s, The Last Kingdom series. In the part, titled “The Slaughter”, the battle field and disposition of forces are described. While the book is historical fiction, the game does work well for a DBA3 game. Below are the necessary terrain features and composition of armies based on the novel. Enjoy the game. 

Terrain

The battle field is marked off by hazel rods and is 600 paces wide (7.5BW) and enough space should be allowed for the 6BW distance between lines and for elements to deploy in two lines. Two streams, to the rear and right of the Saxon deployment meet creating a patch of boggy ground. Streams delay crossing and banks add to its defense. A road crosses the battle field and the stream located at the rear of the Saxon deployment. A gentle hill is placed partially in the deployment area of the Norse Vikings. Wood surrounds the battlefield.

The Saxon army, positioned left to right.

Wessex, 1 x general (4Bd) Athelstan, 1 x hird (4Bd), 3 x select fyrd (Sp).

Mercia, 1 x hird (4Bd), 3 x select fyrd (Sp).

Northumbrian allies, 1 x general (4Bd) Uhtred, 1 x hird (4Bd).

Off table: 1 x household cavalry (Cv) Steapa

 

The Coalition, positioned left to right.

Scots, 1 x general (3Pk) Constantine II, 5 x spearmen (Sp). 1 x archers (Ps).

Strathclyde, 1 x general (Sp) Owain, 1 x spearmen (Sp).

Norse Vikings, 1 x general (4Bd) Anlaf Guthfrithson, 1 x household (4Bd), 1 x ulfhednar (3Wb).

Note

All mounted generals dismount at the start of the game and fight as their common troop type. Mercia and Northumbria behave as allied contingents of Athelstan as do Strathclyde and the Norse for Constantine II.

The sole mounted figure is Steapa who arrives on turn 5, no cavalry are listed for the Middle Anglo-Saxon, nonetheless as the scenario follows the author’s description, here they be.

A Dark Age Battle, something different

It has been a while since I used the double size command for a game and in preparation for next Tuesday, I decided to test a game. How this option differs from the standard 12 element game, follow the link and read the details (link) 

The Scots invade Mercia

The Scots have invaded Mercia. With a force substantially larger than years past, Mercia have called on Wessex to for support. Wessex, positioned on the right, Mercia on the left, together, they present a solid front of spear.

Across the field, the Scots have positioned their schiltrons in centre with thegns and lighter troops flanking the pikemen and on the far left, a small contingent of Vikings.

Mercia spring ahead of their right wing to reach the Scots, eventually both divisions come to grips with the barbarians of the North. The shoving to-and-fro of lines produce few casualties; however, the battle is still young.

Despite both sides beset with low pip scores, the lines begin to fragment and in the isolated conflicts casualties begin to mount. The struggle takes a takes a critical turn with the loss of the Mercian sub-general.

In revenge, Mercian spearmen attack and kill the Scottish warlord (CinC), leaving a portion of the Scottish line leaderless when the sub-general assumes overall command.   

The schiltrons have widen the gap in centre to bring down the Saxon CinC. The Saxons leaderless, flee the field with the Scots in pursuit. The Scots victorious, 8 + CinC + Sub-general – 4 + CinC.

Observations:

Nine turns is not a particularly long game, but needed an hour and six minutes to reach a decision. This was the exact amount of time for the full album by Wardruna to play out.

Wardruna – Rnaljod – Yggdrasil (full album).