On the Table

Having cleared the table from the last of the Samurai Azukizaka battles (yes, I am now behind two battle reports!), time to head off in a different direction with a different period.  After considering a few options, a request for a return to the Great Italians Wars was suggested.  Sounded good to me.  The last time the collection saw action was back in April and May of this year with a string of five, Battle of Fornovo games with an assortment of player groups.

What to bring to the table this time?

Since I used Verginella's scenario book as a starting point for Fornovo and before that Sanguetta, I grabbed the book and began thumbing through the scenarios looking for a suitable and interesting battle to bring to the table.  Two other requirements were that I needed a battle that fits my collection size and a contest suitable for four players.

After considering the possibilities, I settled upon the 1509 Battle of Agnadello.  While Verginella provides simple maps and an Order of Battle, the book is really a toolkit and jumping off point in my mind.  For me, there is never enough detail on scenario and victory conditions to formulate a viable scenario without a little (often much) tinkering.  

While Agnadello is mentioned in a number of internet searches and included in some of the books in my library, one of the most complete accounts is found in Predonzani and Alberici's The Italian Wars Volume 2.  Great book as are all of the titles in this series.  Recommended.

I also turned to GMT's Arquebus boardgame for inspiration and information.

After considering the sources and my battlefield and collection constraints, I arrive at the battlefield as illustrated below:

Battlefield

Army deployments

While Agnadello is listed as a "Large" scenario, it really stretched the limits of my collection.  I just managed to field the nine pike blocks required.  I always figured that nine was enough.  Not so!  If the optional "what if" scenario of seeing Pitigliano reach the field in support of the Venetians is included, more work needs to be done. 

As the scenario stands, the Venetians are outnumbered but holding favorable ground.  Historically, the Venetians were destroyed in this battle but all is not hopeless.  With ditches and vineyards to negotiate, the French will have a difficult time on the approach.  Compounding the terrain difficulties, the chance of rain adds to the uncertain nature of the outcome.  Perhaps with some luck, the Venetians can effectively run out the clock while remaining on the field of battle?

Like the rain present on the field at Fornovo battle noted above, accounts mention rain on the field at Agnadello too.  Accounts vary on the presence of rain. Some accounts state the rain was present when the battle began. Some state the rain began midway through the battle. Some accounts, including the Predonzani book above, never mention it! When rain is mentioned, it poses a serious obstacle in both movement and negotiating the ditch as the ground softens and the ditches fill with mud.

Scenario design is always a bit of a guessing game with a little trial and error thrown into the mix.  We will see on Monday if the scenario survives first contact.

Niccolo Machiavelli, in his book The Prince, famously commented on the battle's impact, stating that in one day, the Venetians lost what had taken them 800 years to conquer.