The Battle of Foteviken in 1134

Upon the death of the Danish King Erik Ejegod in 1103, Niels succeeded his brother as ruler of the kingdom. Anxious to succeed his father, Magnus Nielsen began eliminating possible rivals. Alerted to the threat, Erik Emune , together with Archbishop Ascer of Lund gathered forces at Vellinga in Skåne to resist. With an army, King Niels and Magnus sailed to Skåne and disembarking at Foteviken met the forces of Erik Emune on 4 June 1134. The battle would decide the fate of the Danish throne. 

To simulate the landing of an entire army by sea, players deploy as per the Collision Course variant, each side dividing its force in three columns. Note Erik is aided by the Archbishop of Lund bringing German mercenaries which form an allied third column. Mobile baggage replace camps with the Danish mobile baggage remaining on board. Generals fight  on foot as the Danes lack horse transport leaving Erik with the only mounted force supplied by the archbishop.

Terrain

Danish sources give the landing area between the fishing village of Foteviken and the rock cliffs as 500 m or just under 7BW which is sufficient space for all three Danish columns to disembark. From the beach to the board centre line the ground is open rising to low hills in the rebel deployment area. Woods were placed along the board edge  creating an amphitheater effect for the battlefield.

 

Danish leidang of King Niels

Column 1, 1 x Magnus Nielsen (4Bd), 3 x boendr (4Bd).

Column 2, 1 x King Niels (4Bd), 2 x boendr (4Bd), 1 x boendr archers (3Bw).

Column 3, 1 x 1 x huscarls (4Bd), 1 x boendr (4Bd), 1 x boendr archers (3Bw), 1 x archers (Ps).

 

Rebel force led by Erik Emune

Column 1, 1 x Erik Emune (4Bd), 2 x boendr (4Bd), 1 x boendr archers (3Bw).

Column 2, 1 x huscarls (4Bd), 3 x boendr (4Bd), 1 x boendr archers (3Bw), 1 x mobile baggage.

Column 3, 1 x Archbishop Ascer of Lund (3Kn), 1 x German cavalry (Cv), 1 x archers (Ps).

 

Test overview

Test one

Danish deployment of columns one and two were done as per variant rules allowing column one to reach the shoreline and the second column appearing at table edge (1/2 BW in). On a successful score, column three would reach the shoreline on its bound and disembark on the following turn.

As can be seen both sides needed seven turns to form a battle line as both suffered a delay of the third column.  

A less than aggressive Erik handed the King Niels a 6-4 victory.

Test two

The rapid appearance of the Danish third column on turn two, this bode ill for the rebels. However, the timely arrival of the archbishop’s contingent raised rebel hopes.

Throwing caution to the wind, Erik lead the rebels, from their position atop the low hill, to assault the slow advancing Danes.

The change in tactic proved successful for the rebels, garnering them a victory and the death of King Niels. The Danish throne lay open for Erik Emune.

Observations

The base size for the Danish ships, 40mm x 80mm, allowed 4 elements to be placed on them. Their use was more symbolic than necessary In short, no rule amendments were required other than having Danish mounted elements dismount to fight on foot. 

Sources

The Battle of Foteviken in 1134, Sven Rosborn