Battle of Huesca, 1105

After the parade-goers had cleared away, the battle could begin in earnest.

With feelings of guilt still lingering from his stomping of my Sumerians in an earlier outing (see Going Down for the Last Time), Marked opted to take command of what appeared to be the weaker of the two armies.

He chose the Muslim army of Ali.  The two armies were arrayed as shown in the photos below:

While Alfonso's Spanish army looked larger in numbers, initial impressions can be deceiving.  All of Ali's heavy infantry are supported by a unit of archers.  In Basic Impetvs terms, these formations qualify as Large Units.  Again we play on a grid.

Did Mark choose wisely?  Let's see how the battle panned out for Ali and his Moors.  As the battle begins, Mark looks quite relaxed.  Seeing the wrap on his hand, he may have taken a tumble from his trusty steed.  Bad omen?

Mark (Ali) looks on, satisfied with his deployment. 

Ali takes the initiative as the two armies close.  The Moorish light cavalry swing wide right in an attempt to outflank the enemy.  Tossing javelins as they speed by disrupts the leftmost Spanish heavy cavalry.  Ali's heavier cavalry in the center (one heavy mercenary cavalry and two camel cavalry) veer off to the right.  Sensing an opportunity, Alfonso strikes!  The Spanish hit the enemy horse and send them reeling back.  The retreating cavalry take Ali with them.  This may, indeed, be fate showing her hand early!   

Initial cavalry charges send Ali packing!

While Alfonso fails to spur his cavalry into pursuit, the Spanish cavalry on his left drive on.  The pursuing Spanish knight's path is blocked by more Arab camelry.  The already disordered and weakened Spanish are repulsed.  The Infidels turn-about and head for the rear.     

The pursuers are driven off but the Moors do not pursue.

With the Christian cavalry in the center occupied, Ali presses his light cavalry forward on the wings.  A unit of Spanish skirmishers is overrun, and the light cavalry penetrates deep into the Spanish rear.  Turn 3 and the Spanish left already looks compromised!  Having seen his left crumble, Alfonso wonders if he is a bit exposed in the middle of the battlefield with enemy in the rear.

Moorish light cavalry swing around the Spanish left.

Alfonso feeling a bit exposed.

Alfonso need not wait long for an answer.

The Muslim heavy infantry with archers in support marches forward.  Alfonso and his knights, despite some hacking and slashing, are met by a hail of arrows and the threat of facing a wall of long spears.  He falls back.  To cover Alfonso's withdrawal, the adjacent knights attack.  Unfortunately, the block of long spears cannot be penetrated and the knights pull away to join Alfonso. 

Alfonso under threat!

Spanish cavalry are repulsed and
sent on their way to the rear.

To cover the hole left by Alfonso and his retreating cavalry, Spanish heavy spearmen guide right to fill this void.  Both battle lines march forward to close.

Plugging holes and filling gaps.

With Alfonso's knights out of the way, Ali's infantry strike!  All across the battle line, the dense Moorish infantry formations close with the enemy.  In an attempt to reach Alfonso's retiring knights, the Berber spearmen lunge into the Spanish heavy infantry blocking their way forward.  Surprisingly, these Spaniards, having only just slipped into position, repulse their attackers with heavy casualties.  Unfortunately, the victors cannot muster the enthusiasm to pursue.    

The Muslims attack!

Fateful decision on their part.  While they hesitate, more Moors come on!  Already wavering from their earlier exertions, the Spaniards break and flee.  Their rout carries them into Alfonso and his knights.  Alfonso's knights are pushed even further into disarray before scattering.  Alfonso turns about and heads off to rejoin the battle line. 

On the Spanish right, Muslim heavy infantry drive into the enemy spearmen.  Almost everywhere, the Spanish find themselves falling back under heavy pressure. 

Destruction of the Spanish center.

While the Spanish fall back on the right,
the Spanish center is ripped apart. 

One bright spot for Alfonso and his Spanish army is that, having joined one of the remaining body of knights in the main battle line, Alfonso drives off the enemy's Black Guard.  Casualties are heavy. Very heavy.  With the remnants of the Black Guard ripe for slaughter, Alfonso fails to pursue.  On the Spanish right, the enemy is driving into the battle line and splintering the defense.

The Black Guard attacks

and is driven off!

Spanish center is no more.

With the Spanish line crumbling all around, a few Christians stand in silence ready to repulse their attackers.  As the enemy closes in on their position, they see the Spanish right gives way and breaks.  Isolated, the survivors have no choice but to withdraw. 

A desperate defense.

The battle is over.

Seeing destruction all across the battlefield, Alfonso has little choice but to retire.  His army is destroyed.

Mark (again) played a great game by keeping pressure on the Spanish seemingly everywhere.  First, the Spanish left was compromised then the Spanish center was ripped to shreds.  Finally, the Spanish right bent and then broke.  No doubt that this battle was over.  Convincing victory by Mark.  Well-played and well-earned.  

What can I say?  How about, "can I have a rematch?"

As always, great fun in a very entertaining game.

Thank you, Mark!