Battle of Solden Hill, BatRep

With a second Battle of Solden Hill on tap for later today, I figured I better get cracking on recounting the first Battle of Solden Hill fought last week.  Besides, Richard, my opponent in Game #1 just published his account of the battle (see Battle of Solden Hill).  I know, I am falling behind but weather has been good and outdoor activities have taken priority over indoor tasks.

For battle briefing see my prior post at Battle of Solden Hill.

On to battle!

Richard chose to declare for the Yorkists so my Lancastrians are defending the high ground of Solden Hill.  Somerset is positioned upon the heights with Lancastrian reinforcements off table when the Yorkists under Edward attack.

Somerset, all alone on Solden Hill.

Edward and his army waste little time in moving on to the attack!  From left to right, Stanley moves along the road to cut off approaching Lancastrian reinforcements while Suffolk and Edward move straight to the heights and Somerset.  As Edward and Suffolk move up the hill, Somerset's archers fall back in the face of such an overpowering threat.  Somerset's MAA, supported by a body of bill, are uncovered to face this determined onslaught.

Yorkists move on to the field of battle.

The Yorkists attack!

As Edward and Suffolk's archers shoot into Somerset and then retire back through their own lines, Edward leads the attack up the hill.  Somerset is ready for the assault.  Supported by a body of bill, Somerset's men repel Edward's attack.  Not only is the attack repulsed but the King falls dead on the field of battle.  Seeing the King fall sends a shock wave through his retinue.  All troops under the King's immediate command drop one level in combat effectiveness.  Oh, what a blow!  Seeing the King go down, Richard paused to consider the ramifications of such an early setback on his plans for taking the hill.  I reckon he considered throwing in the towel at this point.  No, the Yorkists would carry on without their King.  They must avenge his death!       

Edward attacks up the hill and into Somerset...

only to be bloodily repulsed.
Edward falls dead on the field!

Picking up the cry for vengeance, Suffolk leads his MAA forward into Somerset.  Again, the Yorkists are repulsed!  Somerset is proving to be a tough adversary.  Unfortunately for Somerset, he cannot encourage his ward to go over to the attack to capitalize on these Yorkists setbacks.

Suffolk goes in!

With Lancastrian reinforcements arriving onto the field, Stanley attacks to disrupt enemy plans to bring relief to Somerset positioned alone on the Solden Hill.  In a ferocious and prolonged clash, Stanley and Pembroke are locked into mortal combat.  Each are grinding the other down to near the breaking point.  Finally, Stanley is compelled to fall back.  Exhausted, Pembroke cannot follow up.  Both bodies will require time to lick their deep wounds.  A brief lull falls over the battlefield. 

Pembroke attacks down the road.

Finally, Stanley concedes the ground...

but Pembroke is too exhausted to pursue.

A brief battle lull.

Seeing Stanley stymied on the Lancastrian Right, Northumberland decides to turn inward to support Somerset.  Advancing up the western slopes of Solden Hill, Northumberland plows into Suffolk's melee line.  After a brief clash, Suffolk is driven back through his archers.  Northumberland is in hot pursuit.  Suffolk's archers stand but are driven back in disarray after having suffered heavy casualties at the hands of Northumberland's MAA.  The battle is looking good for the Lancastrians!

Northumberland turns toward Solden Hill.

Northumberland hits Suffolk's MAA...

drives them back...

catches Suffolk's archers in pursuit...

sending archers streaming to the rear!

Was looking good, that is!  The Lancastrian position all becomes unhinged rather quickly.

Making best use of the brief battle lull, Stanley rallies his troops and goes back on the attack.  Pembroke, unable to successfully rally any of his ward, is at a decided disadvantage when Stanley strikes.  Overwhelmed, Pembroke's melee line scatters and Pembroke is wounded.  Unfortunately for Pembroke, he is carried from the field by the enemy.  Pembroke's ward is broken! 

Stanley takes the fight to Pembroke.

Buoyed by this success, Suffolk throws caution to the wind and attacks back up the hill and into Northumberland.  This attack does not go well.  Having suffered greatly in earlier efforts, Suffolk's melee line is destroyed in the attack.  Northumberland follows up his routing foe and falls upon Suffolk's archers.  Suffolk's archers retire with Suffolk's ward broken.  Northumberland, flushed with success of seeing Suffolk off, attacks into Edward's ward.  This is when catastrophe strikes.  Appearing to gain the upper hand in this fight, Northumberland has had enough and falls back from the melee.  What?  Northumberland!  

Suffolk attacks and is destroyed!

Northumberland pursues...

but cannot dislodge Edward's melee line.  He retreats.

What is the catastrophe?

With Pembroke broken and Northumberland retreating to the north, Stanley is definitely in the right place at the right time.  Swinging his ward around, Stanley advances up Solden Hill to strike Northumberland in the rear.  First cutting through Northumberland's archers, Stanley hits Northumberland's main melee line.  The fighting is over very quickly.  Shocked by this sudden enemy attack from a perceived safe quarter and with enemy now to both front and rear, Northumberland and his men lay down their arms.  Even though Somerset still clings tentatively to Solden Hill, with two of the three Lancastrian Battles broken, this battle is over. 

Northumberland surrounded!

Edward's Battle.

Somerset's Battle.

Victory to Richard and his Yorkist Army!  Congratulations, Richard!  Very well played.  I thought I had you until I didn't!

While I have some thoughts on this game (especially on Somerset's inability to go over to the attack), those thoughts must wait for another time.  I have a second playing of this scenario in a couple of hours.

That was really good fun.  Thank you!