Battle of Sanguetta 1497

Perhaps having beaten a dead horse with six battles of Lake Trasimene, time to switch gears and periods.

Lots of periods from which to choose but bringing the Great Italian Wars collection to the table won an unscientific poll.  With two new players to Basic Impetvs (and one player new to remote gaming), a small, introductory scenario seemed appropriate.  Armed with the new scenario book, War Gaming Scenarios by Rodolfo Maria Verginella in hand, I settle on the small, 1497 Battle of Sanguetta.

Players were given a battle briefing and asked to prepare their battle deployments, unknown to their opponent.

Battlefield deployment zones

Opposing Armies

Both players (Stephen as Vitelli and Brian as Borgia) sent their deployments to me ahead of game day and I set the table.  When players arrived for battle, the table looked as,

Armies deployed for battle.

From the Papal deployments, Brian looks to be channeling Frederick and his Oblique Maneuver rather than Machiavelli!  Perhaps Frederick was a student of Machiavelli?

Borgia's Army

Vitelli's Army

Battle deployment overview.

With armies deployed and a quick overview of the rules given, on to battle.

As Borgia's artillery, crossbow, and harquebusiers pin the enemy in place, the pike blocks and the Men-at-Arms march through the open woods in an effort to turn the enemy's flank.  At the first sound of the guns, Borgia's guns find their mark and destroy Vitelli's artillery.  The battle is off to a good start for Borgia! 

Vitelli's artillery destroyed!

Quite annoyed with this result, Vitelli orders his Men-at-Arms (MAA) forward.  As the MAA reach the crest of the gently rolling hill, Vitelli charges down and into the awaiting guns.  The outcome is decided quickly.  Borgia's guns are overrun. 

Vitelli attacks the enemy guns...

and Borgia’s guns are quickly destroyed.

With success against the guns and his MAA now exposed, Vitelli orders his missile troops to advance down from the hill to engage the enemy.  Vitelli's pike blocks turn to counter Borgia's outflanking maneuver.  Seeing enemy MAA almost upon his flank, Borgia turns his pike blocks to meet this sudden threat.

Vitelli sets his army into motion.

With enemy near, Borgia turns to face this threat. 

Having seen his battle line pierced by Vitelli's MAA, Borgia's crossbowmen turn to give the enemy horsemen a volley as they pass through the lines.  Excited by the opportunity to shoot into the MAA's rear, Borgia's crossbowmen forget their own safety.  These impetuous fellows are, in turn, attacked in rear by Vitelli's crossbow and dispatched.   

Passing shot at Vitelli's MAA.

A fleeting opportunity turns into catastrophe.

Despite enemy cavalry to their rear, Borgia's pikemen press forward to engage Vitelli's pikemen.  Not wanting to give up the initiative, Vitelli's smaller pike block (of two) charges down from the high ground.  The Landsknechts stand in their way.  Fighting through the Landsknecht's dopplesoldners, Vitelli's pikemen push the Landsknechts back.  Vitelli's pikemen continue to press on.

First clash of pike!

Landsknechts are pushed back.

Meanwhile, having seen their pikemen press on toward Vitelli's pikemen on the hill, a clear path opens and Borgia sees Vitelli leading his MAA through the woods.  Not wasting a minute, Borgia sends his MAA to attack.  Not expecting enemy heavy cavalry upon his flank, Vitelli's heavy cavalry break.  Vitelli, himself, falls on the field during the chaos.  

Vitelli falls in battle!

While enemy horsemen are being dispersed, the fight at the hill continues.  With Borgia leading the way, the Landsknechts push back, driving the enemy back up the hill.  Vitelli's lead pike block falls back upon support.

Borgia and his Landsknechts push the enemy back.

Overview of the situation.

Although suffering heavily from losses, Borgia encourages the Landsknechts to take the fight to the enemy.  Striking the rightmost enemy pike block, the two formations grind each other down.  With Vitelli's pike block fresh and larger, Borgia's Landsknechts are fighting an uphill battle (literally!).  The Landsknechts' numbers are dwindling as pikemen stream to the rear.  Finally, the Landsknechts can take no more and break. Borgia does not survive the battle.  

Borgia orders one more charge!

Fighting is hard as the Landsknechts waver.

Landsknechts break and Borgia is killed.

With the breaking of the Landsknechts and the death of Borgia, the battle is over.  Victory to Vitelli and the Orsinis!

While Stephen came away with battle honors, Brian put up a very hard fight.  In the end, the result was close.  Very close.  The battle was not decided until the final loss of the Landsknechts.  Both armies were teetering on the break point.

Both players fought a good fight using a ruleset unfamiliar to both.  Well, Brian, at least, had read through the rules beforehand but had never played a game.  Both adapted quickly and play was smooth.  Game lasted about two hours.  Thanks to both players for a fun encounter and a chance to get my Italian Wars collection back out and onto the gaming table.

What did Brian and Stephen think of the rules and the game?  Well, they are both willing to return to the table for a rematch next week after swapping sides.  That says something, I reckon.

Expect more battles at Sanguetta over the coming week.