Marston Moor

 Well, I thought perhaps you'd like a break from the Napoleonic action - no? Well, you are getting one anyway! This is a recreation of the battle of Marston Moor which was fought on 2 July 1644 (I am writing this on the anniversary of the battle but it was played out in December 2023, apparently - only seems like yesterday!). The battle was the largest and, perhaps, most important battle of the war, as it spelled the beginning of the end for the royalist cause, particularly in the north. Having relieved York  which had been besieged by three armies; the Scots, the Northern Association and the Eastern association, the royalists, under Prince Rupert followed the allied forces away from the city until he came across them drawn up on rising ground between the villages of Tockwith and Long Marston.

After a certain amount of uncertainty on both sides, the parliamentarian artillery opened fire at about 2 in the afternoon, and battle commenced.

The refight was staged in my loft with 20/25mm figures from every manufacturer under the sun, using adapted Volley & Bayonet rules.

The Long Marston end of the battlefield, complete with abandoned measuring devices. The Scots/Parliamentarians are nearest the camera.

Turn 1:

Fairfax's cavalry moves forward.

Beyond the Scots, the Parliamentary infantry begins its advance.

The Eastern Association nears the foe (I think my table is due some TLC!).

The royalists prepare to give fire.

BANG!!

The royalist centre belches lead!

On the royalist left infantry (Tillier's?) move up the lane to secure their flank and skirmish with Fairfax's dragoons.

Turn 2:

Well I think this is turn 2 but, unusually, I haven't included any indication in the camera roll so I'm not actually sure!

The Northern Horse counter charges Fairfax on the edge of Long Marston.

Fairfax's infantry readies itself for the royalist onslaught - In the historic battle most of this lot were in Tadcaster by this stage, causing people in the area to think Rupert had won the battle! In this battle though, Fairfax wins the melee and Goring retreats.

A desultory and inconclusive fire spews from the the royalist ranks.

Turn 3:

Lillburn's Dragoons occupy Tockwith on the Parliamentarian left while Cromwell's Ironsides trot forward.

The royalist centre holds.

Rupert moves up to Tockwith to face Cromwell.

On the other side of the battlefield Goring charges again but without success and two of his units are lost.

Turn 4:

Overall situation - the parliamentarians are well across the road now and getting stuck in to the royalist positions.

Battle is joined at Tockwith.

Rupert smashes Cromwell and pushes him back.

The parliamentarians feed more units into the centre - this time Scots.

The royalists in the lane counter attack.

On the other side, Goring tries again. His troopers' horses nearing exhaustion, Goring's northern horse outflanks the overextended parliamentarians, and this time achieves the historical result; overthrowing them. (The cavalry on the left of the picture were painted over 30 years ago!).

Turn 5:

Doggedly the allies attack again. Here on their right they tried to use their dragoons to gain an advantage but in vain.

The attack in the centre achieves some success but the royalist infantry remains secure behind the hedge line.

Newcastle's regiment - feel they have done enough damage to try and press their advantage.

Goring moves to negate any advantage the allies may have had from their dragoons.

In the centre, parliamentarian units begin to break.

Turn 6:

The parliamentarians try to shore up their line but the royalists press on.

Having seen off Cromwell, Rupert starts to roll up the parliamentarian left.

Turn 7:

The Scots fight to the last strength point but the tide is irrevocably against the allies.

The parliamentarian units start to flee the battlefield as the royalists advance across the front. The battle is over, history has been altered.

Conclusion:

As always it comes down to the dice - there are various mentions in the notes that I tweaked the rules as things were a bit lethal for the 17th century but I am not sure what I actually changed. It was quite an enjoyable fight, much more so than my Naseby game a few years ago which just did not work, so I intend to revisit this period. Also, I have done some games in 28mm using Pikeman's Lament which I will post at some point. As usual - don't be shy - do comment. Do you prefer a mix of periods or are just here for the Napoleonics?