Well, I guess it was just a matter of time. I tried to resist. Looked the other way. Blanked out images in my head ... but alas, my efforts have failed.
I will say - this is a long post because I included a lot of pictures related to painting references. Additionally, I included the order of battle I'll use for refighting Tewkesbury (1471).
With everything else going on ... and there is a lot going on ... I've dove straight into doing forces to fight Tewkesbury using Never Mind the Billhooks. I had originally, many moons ago, bought some Perry Miniature War of the Roses (WotR) figures to do a skirmish level game. They temporarily left my holdings but recent found their way back to me. I thought I had a lot more than I did ... so I ended up submitting a large order to Perry this past week so I can complete the forces needed.
From the stuff I have in my possession, I was able to assemble Edward IVs battle. I always have a little dread when I have to assemble Perry plastics ... just because there are a lot of parts. But, these actually went together fairly well. Two evenings of efforts got it all done.
In order to facilitate what livery I want to use for various units involved for the game I ended up creating some of my own uniform plates crudely using PowerPoint. You can see them below. I created some basic templates I could then colorize as needed.
Now, here is what I have for the orders of battle I'll use for Tewkesbury (again, based on Never Mind the Billhooks). Admittedly, while all you really get from history is the numbers and general lords present at the battle, I have taken some liberties with the forces involved (e.g. using handgunners and a small number of mounted knights). I'd say it is generally ok though - I wanted the forces involved to have a little variability to demonstrate the various unit types covered by the rules.
Tewkesbury, 1471
YORKIST OOB
• Sir Henry Stafford, Commander (Foot)
• 8 x Knights
• 12 x Men-at-Arms
• 12 x Billmen + 12 x Archers
• 12 x Billmen + 12 x Archers
• 1 x Artillery
Lord Hastings (Right)
• Lord Hastings, Commander (Foot)
• Earl of Essex, Commamder (Foot)
• 12 x Men-at-Arms
• 12 x Pikemen + 12 x Archers
• 12 x Billmen + 12 x Archers
• 1 x Artillery
• 6 x Skirmishers (Handguns)
Duke of Gloucester (Left)
• Duke of Gloucester, Commander (Foot)
• John de la Pole, Commamder (Foot)
• 12 x Men-at-Arms
• 12 x Billmen + 12 x Archers
• 12 x Billmen + 12 x Archers
• 1 x Artillery
• 6 x Skirmishers (Handguns)
Detached (Light Cavalry "Plump")
• 1 x Commander (Mounted)
• 8 x Light Cavalry
• 8 x Light Cavalry
LANCASTRIAN OOB
• Lord Wenlock, Commander (Foot)
• 8 x Knights
• 12 x Men-at-Arms
• 12 x Pikemen
• 12 x Billmen + 12 x Archers
• 1 x Artillery
Duke of Somerset (Right)
• Somerset, Commander (Foot)
• Duke of Exeter, Commander (Foot)
• 12 x Men-at-Arms
• 12 x Billmen + 12 x Archers
• 12 x Billmen + 12 x Archers
• 12 x Billmen + 12 x Archers
• 6 x Skirmishers (Handguns)
Earl of Devon (Left)
• Earl of Devon, Commander (Foot)
• Earl of Northumberland, Commander (Foot)
• 12 x Men-at-Arms
• 12 x Pikemen
• 12 x Billmen + 12 x Archers
• 12 x Billmen + 12 x Archers
• 6 x Skirmishers (Handguns)
Excellent! I will be watching this project develop with great interest.
ReplyDeleteTarget is to play this battle by end of August ... should be doable. :-)
DeleteThanks for sharing the blank livery coats. Going to have to snags those to make some of my own up.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, that's why I shared them :-) Email md if you want the "source" file.
DeleteVery cool!
ReplyDeleteLove it when a plan comes together ;)
ReplyDeleteAgree, this going going to be a fun one.
DeleteBest of luck Jay - we fought all the battles of the Wars of the Roses using NMTBH - a great set of rules that certainly delivers the fun. My take on the battle of Tewkesbury can be found on my blog - just google Shed Wars Tewkesbury
ReplyDeleteThanks ... I've been all over your blog. Not just for WotR, but always a follower of your many excellent games :-)
DeleteCurious about house rules for larger NMtB games. One I like is that leaders get a free move at the end of the turn so you don't have to burn orders on them. Not sure any others are really needed.
AS for big games we adopted the following - no levy or veterans keeps it simple. Battle Commanders, as opposed to other commanders can command any unit in their battle. There are a host more other bits and bobs and these are all going to be published in an upcoming article in Wargames illustrated (I think)
DeleteWe also dropped the duels - plus any excess casualties on a wiped out unit automatically go onto the Lord if present - tends to eliminate them ;-)
DeleteFinal point before I sign off - each of your battles has too few commanders - for example you have Somerset leading 8 units - unl;ess I am misreading your intentions you will never be able to move that number of units effectively with just one boss. Our experience shows that you need at least one leader for every two or four units otherwise the game will grind to a halt
DeleteGreat point. Thanks for the guidance, will get some additional commanders in each battle.
DeleteYou don't do things by half Jay, another period to add to your wonderful collections. Some great ideas and planning you have done for your livery reference.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pat!! Always appreciate when the wargaming master stops by my humble blog :-) Looking forward to seeing more stunning pictures from your collections
DeleteGreat news! We at the club have been playing games for this period for a long time and have tried a lot of rules. It will be interesting to see what happens with you, Jay 8)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Excited to finally get some medievil on the table :-)
DeleteImpressive project will watch with interest the forces come together 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt, full steam ahead :-)
DeleteShe be interesting to see this progress. I have been painting a ton of WotR figures myself, and decided to skip the badges. They are for use with Test of Resolve rules by my friends from the UK, Tim Couper and David Knight.
ReplyDeleteYou got me thinking, "Badges. Badges! We don't need no stink'in badges!"
DeleteMy thought exactly! :-)
DeleteAlthough somewhat iconic of the WotR, it also makes it easier to use the same figures for other 15th century conflicts.
Good point. I also should check out the Test of Resolve rules - have not seen them.
DeleteToR Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/748158095970079
DeleteMy playthrough of ToR (I was a principal playtester):
https://blundersonthedanube.blogspot.com/2021/05/test-of-resolve-playthrough-stoke-field.html
ToR website and ordering:
https://testofresolve.com/?v=7516fd43adaa
(there are multiple scenario books now, and more on the way as we playtest them)
Cool, thanks!
DeleteFollowing! This is another favorite period of mine. I have all the troops in Perry Plastics, but haven't summoned the motivation to dive in. Billhook rules would definitely be something I'd try with these.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Kevin
Oooo, hopefully I can nudge you a little closer to gettong those beautiful Perry figs out of the boxes :-)
Delete