Storm Within the Empire – the beginning.

the Holy Roman Empire, tales of conflict set in the 9th and 10th century.

Change is good and I am starting a fresh DBA project, but rather than start a new blog, I will change the banner, subtitle  and archive all previous postings for 15^th century. These you can still find at the Index located in the right hand column.

Naturally, the focus for this project is on the campaigns and wars that took place during from the breakup of the Carolingian Empire to the emergence of a confederation of German kingdoms later known as the Holy Roman Empire.

From my initial research the scope of the project would simply be too large if I wanted to keep a balance between posting, painting and campaigning. Storm Within the Empire originally grew from the Duchy of Bavaria expanding to include armies from Austria, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland and the Ottomans. I narrowed the region to the northern part of Germany; the duchies of Saxony, Lotharingia, Frisia, and the Marchlands. The loose confederation was not without its enemies and so the kingdoms of the Vikings,  various Slav nations, Poland and the Magyars are added as well.

Map: AD 843, the division after the Treaty of Verdun

Anyone thinking about building an army from this region and time period I would recommend the books and essays written by Timothy Reuter. I have “Germany in the Early Middle Ages 800 - 1056” which has fueled my enthusiasm for the period and I do plan to purchase  another title by him, “The Annuls of Fulda”.  The first title is heavy with detail and attention is given to developments region by region. The maps at the end illustrate very well the changes from the breakup of the Carolingian empire to the start of the Holy Roman Empire.

As I write, my first two armies have been ordered and should arrive next week. Aside from painting them, I will also add new terrain features.

-      More later.

Late Medieval rematch – Bavarian vs. Austrian Coalition AD 1400

Our monthly DBA3 game fielded the army Bavaria against an Austrian Coalition using the same composition as the previous game. This evening’s game was played between Peter and Owen, two veteran DBM-ers who have now played a number of DBA3 games.

This however, was the first time with late medieval forces whose composition of troop types promised to test their skills.

Both sides deployed strong centers with the majority of knights facing each other across open terrain. On the Austrian right, the Swiss formed up against a mixed force of knights and foot. In the previous game, the Swiss crumbled before the Bavarian foot, so I was curious if this would be repeated.

Unfortunately, I became so involved taking mental notes, I frequently forgot to take photos.

This first photo shows the initial deployment.

A brief summary.

The Austrians moved both flanks to engage the enemy while the center held back to employ better their massed guns. The Bavarians having less artillery were compelled to engage the Austrians as quickly as possible. The Bavarians may have lacked artillery, but had an advantage of crossbowmen to compensate.

The Bavarians moved slowly forward so as to be able to fire while moving. This approach delivered a number of enemy recoils but for the most part had little effect.

By bound four, the Swiss were earning their reputation making good use of their pike supported by blade. The following turn brought more losses, such that the Bavarian left wavered and became demoralised.

Second photo shows the position at the end of bound two.

Quite the opposite was happening on the Bavarian right as their knights bested the Austrians to demoralize them on the following bound.   

Time was called on what was a very close game as both sides, having lost a command each were so close toward claiming a second. We finished the evening with some interesting observations and comparisons with DBM.

The both liked the flank support option among blade, crossbow and spear. 

Only the Swiss had pikes while both Austrian and Bavarians made use of spear. 

Psiloi or skirmishers were becoming very useful and no longer the cannon fodder they used to be. 

Pursuing blade were instrumental in knocking out the Bavarian left, while the Bavarians made good use of their knights supported by solid foot on the opposite flank. 

Our next game, scheduled in two weeks, will bring us back to the ancient period with a larger game during the Marcommani wars. 

An invasion of Bavaria. - 1399

Storm Within the Empire – DBA3 battle report.

The Duchy of Bavaria-Straubing was next on the Herzog von Steirermark’s list of acquisitions. Assembling an army, stiffened with Swiss mercenaries they marched along the Danube toward Passau. Scouts returned informing his Lordship, the Bavarians were “a-waiting his presence” north of Passau. So much for stealth.

To confront the gathering storm from Steirermark, the Grand Duke gathered loyal Bavarians from the domains of Landshut, München and Ingolstadt. 

Deployed to meet the Austrians, the Grand Duke held the centre with the majority of infantry and the reserve. To the right, Albrecht, his nephew commanded a mobile force supported with halberdier and handgunners. The left flank was held by Cousin Rudolf with a similar but smaller force.

Ahead, the Grand Duke could see clearly the Swiss on the right and to the left, a large formation of Austrian knights. The infantry in centre were numbered less than his own, but these were flanked by crossbowmen and more worrisome, cannon.

Bound one.

The Swiss yodeled their way forward and to annoy their enemy throughout their LH. Both formations of Austrians moved forward. As per plan, the Grand Duke moved his center forward with both wings held slightly back. It was hoped that weight of numbers would break the Austrian line where it met the Swiss.

Bound two.

A low die cast for the Austrians brought on a moment of hesitation. In this moment, reserve units were moved closer toward the main battle line. Unperturbed, the Swiss moved forward, while the artillery was still getting their range.

As the Austrians were less willing to move, the Bavarians brought the fight to them. Bavarian spearmen pushed their center line back, while other troops rallied to move forward and support the center. Now in range of artillery and crossbow, the Austrians were recoiling from fire storm.

Bound three.

Swiss pike and blade formations were pressing forward. The Swiss commander setting an example, lead the dance. The music, played false, the Swiss general fell sending a loud cheer among the Bavarian ranks. In the centre and right flank, the Austrians wriggled enough to deliver the first Bavarian casualties.

The Bavarians on the right seized the moment to knock about the broken formation, demoralizing the Swiss. In the centre, the Bavarians stabilized their line. On the left, losing two crossbow units, the Bavarians took advantage of the confusion to bring a unit of knight down.

Bound four

The Swiss, despite losing their general remained steadfast like a wall. At the Austrian centre, the clash of spear delivered another enemy unit, bringing the Bavarian total to 3 lost. The combat between knights on the right flank created only dust as units moved back and forth. The Bavarians on their turn were grinding the Swiss down to half the number they started with. In centre, the combat along the line delivered no results, perhaps due to fatigue, however, from the Bavarian left a loud cry was heard as their general bested the Austrian commanders. With both flanks demoralised, the Grand Duke ordered a retreat.

On a positive, the Grand Duke would save money paying less Swiss.

Epilogue

It has been a while since my Late Medieval armies have made an appearance. The practice game was actually a prelude to the same game being scheduled for later this month between two keen players.

With the exception of the Swiss, the composition of troops was identical; Kn, Cv, Bd, Cb and Sp. Although the Austrians outgunned the Bavarians in artillery, the “solid” foot helped the Bavarians. Flank support worked well and Ps handgunners did excellent work keeping the Swiss pike occupied.

Castle Building – nearing final form

Yesterday’s problem with the gatehouse is solved. The appearance dominated the rest of the structure, so some trimming was in order and secondly, the interior ground is raised and by extending that height beyond the gatehouse also helped.

From the photo you will note scraps of foam placed around the perimeter, once fixed to a base will form boulders. 

We are close to the finish line, but first some notes for myself to set a proper sequence of tasks.

The eight structures, glue them into four groups; two towers and main hall, the two pieces forming the long side another two and the gatehouse.

Undercoating, painting and detailing the stonework for all the groups.

Roofing to be put in place. These are embossed N scale sheets from Faller or Noch.

From the courtyard and extending beyond the gatehouse to be covered with a sand/white glue mix, later painted and dry brushed.

All four groupings and elevated courtyard glue together fixed to a base.

Boulders placed and shaped to form a perimeter, painted and dry-brushed.

But first:

I will leave this project here for the moment as I must make preparations for two other figure painting tasks. 

I have a Seven Year War Russian project which needs a lot of bases cut, so I will add the Castle’s base to that job. Secondly, my Sassanid reinforcements will arrive this week and I want to start planning the colour schemes for them. 

Cheers, 

Castle Building – the interior

I have added a few items to the model. A second smaller tower now flanks the main hall. and to fill a vacant spot near the gatehouse, another block was cut and completely trimmed and scored.  

All exterior surfaces now simulate a stone surface. This would be complete if it were not for the gatehouse. There is something not right about it and I have tried arranging the pieces in different combinations. Generally a good night’s sleep will help me find a good solution.

Once the final arrangement is made I can prepare a base for the model. The model remains 3 x 3 (BW), but the base will be slightly larger to allow for boulders to give the impression of a mountain hilltop.

Looking at the arrangement there would not be too much changed to make the castle appear Italian; pitch of roof less pronounced, wall surfaces should be smooth to reflect the use of brick or plaster.

Cheers, 

Castle Building – the courtyard

This photo typifies the interior of the castles shown earlier, certainly not late medieval castle but gives an idea of the sloping ground, stone finish and arches that need to be constructed. At ground level are areas for storage of food stocks, a carriage or two, stables, kitchen, servant and castle guard quarters and the upper levels, the noble’s apartments and great hall.

The courtyard should be able to hold a double sized element of foot (40 x 40 mm). I have a number of these among the Italian, Swiss and Mercenary commands. The courtyard will be elevated perhaps 10 mm so the arcade, stairways and balcony should allow for the change in elevation.

Archways, doors and a staircase are added and a stone finish seen here will also cover the exterior walls. The blocks will need further trimming so as to able to form up around the perimeter of the courtyard. I have done that with the two sections next to the right of the gatehouse. 

The two pieces in the foreground will be the raised courtyard. This will need to be trimmed and graded to meet the gatehouse. I see now the end result will not be 40 mm square but will certainly accommodate majority of other elements. 

Further, embrasures will need to be added to the tower and I just may add a second,but smaller tower to flank the main hall. 

Next, the "shape of things to come". 

Cheers, 

Castle Building – exterior surface

Today, I want to focus on the exterior of the castle. From the selected castles I used as references, much of the exterior has been converted to accommodate changing taste over the past five or six centuries. Gone are the embrasures, crenelated walls and arrow slits. These I shall sketch and cut out from the individual sections.  

With the castle keep and tower at its highest point and the gatehouse at the lower end of the perimeter. I will need to lower the gatehouse by 5 – 10 mm and add that much to the structures at the rear.

That step completed, the embrasures now need to be added to the exterior surface. This is easily done by trimming a few millimeters from the wall and ending about 5 mm from the lower roof edge. Indentations can be made with a sharp tool or pencil point. 

At this moment no structures are fixed to allow freedom of composition. 

Note, the castle base has been trimmed back. This is fine, as I will add rock formations around the base with the cuttings saved from step one. These will be added as a final step before undercoating. 

But next, the interior.

Cheers,