BATTLE OF ORE HILL
Preparations continued throughout the night. Marnish catapults, intended for liberating the castle, were now positioned to assist a battle in the field. Toghrul Khan's cavalry joined Barak's camp on Ore Hill and both sides formed up their ranks before the morning light of March 2nd.
The Tatars' somewhat advanced left flank atop the hill included the newly arrived medium cavalry backed up by Jesugai's massive formation of light archers. Down the South slope was the center, comprised of horse archers under the Khan and Timur. The right flank contained smallest in number, but consisted of speararmed veteran troops under Kushala.
Marnon's forces also deployed in 3 divisions. The center was spearheaded by the mailed fist of fully armored, veteran pikemen with deGascon's crossbowmen in support and the catapults behind them. The Frankish left was a heavy cavalry force of knights and mounted men- at-arms, their flank protected by the castle wall. The right flank was covered by the Templars with Bentwood's knights and archers alongside.
Action began with a general advance by the Marnian army followed immediately by supporting catapult fire from the rear and cavalry charges on both flanks. Tatar formations stood their ground, except for Jesugai, whose orders were to circumvent the Frankish right and attack the catapults before they did much harm. He accomplished this task by splitting his formation to deliver a devastating blow not only to the catapults but to the crossbowmen as well, destroying both units in the process after a pursuit of the last surviving crossbowmen.
| BATTLE OF ORE HILL OB | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Map ID | Unit Size | Unit Type | Morale Class* | Description | Commander | Post-Battle Notes |
| 1 | 240 | HI | V | Pikeman | Sir George Radner | No losses |
| 2 | 160 | MI | V | Crossbowmen | Montreil | Wiped out |
| 3 | 100 | HC | E | Knights | deGascon | 40 lost |
| 4 | 60 | HC | E | Knights Templar | independent | Wiped out |
| 5 | 200 | HI | R | King's Archers | Duke of | 60 lost |
| 6 | 120 | HC | R | Knights | Bentwood CIC | Retreated |
| 7 | 80 | HC | R | Men-at-Arms | Falcon deBlanc | Wiped out deBlanc prisoner |
| MARNON: 960 total, + 4 Catapults 400 total losses | ||||||
| A | 180 | LC | E | Horse archers | Toghrul Khan CIC | 20 lost |
| B | 160 | LC | R | Horse archers | Timur | 40 lost, Timur killed |
| C | 240 | LC | V | Tribal spear | Kushala | 60 lost |
| D | 320 | LC | R | Tribal archers | Jesugai | 40 lost |
| E | 260 | MC | V | Combined arms | Barak | Routed with 40 lost |
| TATAR: 1160 total, 200 total losses | ||||||
| *Elite, Veteran, Regular, Militia 200 total losses | ||||||
The Templars, with Bentwood's knights and supporting archery, put Barak's medium cavalry into a rout at about the same time (move 3), but deBlac and deGascon met with stiff resistance against Kushala's light spear and a melee ensued. This action continued for some time, until Jesugai's circling archers hit deBlac's unit from the rear, wiping out his men-at-arms and taking him prisoner. Jesugai continued on to join the Khan, now embroiled in repelling a charge by the Templars (moves 6 & 7).
Although Bentwood's archers continued their support, the knights broke ranks and quit the field leaving the Templars to fight to the last man after Jesugai reached them. Timur and many of his horse archers were lost, but the Tatar army reformed along the hillside where Kushala retreated to join them and appeared ready to begin battle anew! Montreil deGascon's attempted pursuit proved pointless, as the remaining Marnish infantry were already in retreat, so he and his knights continued on down the Coast Road away from the field.
THE PRAISE AND THE BLAME
Kushala's veterans certainly deserve mention for their stoic resistance to a massive knightly charge and perseverance in the melee that followed. Although Jeugai's help was a devastating blow to deBlac, credit is due the spearmen for holding out so long. Jesugai's use of mobility is to be commended as is the speed with which his units swept around the Frankish flank and rear. This opportunity was opened to him when the Templars and Bentwood's knights charged leaving the Frankish right unprotected.
The crossbow formation, which Jesugai's tribesmen overran, was poorly placed from the start. Their field of fire was blocked by the heavy pike, as no overhead shooting is available to crossbows. The heavy infantry formation of pikes also proved ineffective. They plodded on, with orders to advance to contact obviously being avoided by the Tatar horsemen and even formed square when it appeared that encirclement was imminent. But the Tatar units made no move to engage them.
Thus, they suffered no losses and retreated from the field having contributed no more than a shield for the King's Archers and retreating with them at the end. Before the battle was half over, the fanatic Templar knights were already committed to a last stand. Bentwood's undisciplined knights simply rode off, not wanting to get involved.
| LOCATION | SIZE | TYPE | CLASS | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flintcastle (reenforcement buildup) | 400 180 | LI MI |
M R | Feudal levy Mercenary spear |
| Bentwood Castle | 80 | Ll | M | Feudal archers |
| Fernham Castle | 80 | Ll | M | Feudal archers |
| Castle of Dunes | 160 | Ll | M | Feudal archers |
| Gaudy Castle | 20 | HC | E | Teutonic knights |
| Hempen Rook and Castle Kilgarren undefended. | ||||
| 920 total | ||||
Although the Marnon army suffered a crushing defeat, highest praise must be given its King's Archers, who obeyed orders throughout, stood their ground and provided supporting fire where it was needed-first preceding the charge against Barak and then against Toghrul Khan and Jesugai. The newly arrived medium cavalry was the only disappointment to Tatar forces. Loss of Timur was certainly a blow, but their losses overall were not so severe, and they reentered Oxleaf Castle victorious.
The remainder of Marnon's defenses were in garrison and with Prince Henry at Flintcastle. They took no part in the battle at Ore Hill, nor would it have been advisable to leave all the castles undefended. Their dispositions at the time were as follows: [table]
RULES CONSIDERATIONS
We refought The Battle of Ore Hill 3 times, using TSR's (Gygax & Perren) "Chainmail", 3rd ed. rules first, then; the slightly more restrictive, but easier; "Broadsword" by George Schneider. Keeping our own troop type classifications and home-grown procedures , we found "Chainmail" a realistic reflection of medieval warfare in its ability to capture the confusion of battle and appreciated the ease with which the rules of "Broadsword" can be applied to a variety of situations on the tabletop. What is presented here, however, is the battle conducted by our own rules and borrowing heavily from both the above, as well as Dave Millward's "God's Acre" and WRG's Rules' 6th edition, albeit using a simultaneous movement system with phased orders written on a special form. A short summary of these rules follows:
- 1. All units must have orders for the first move
(phase). These are effective (subject to specific rules)
until different orders, if any, appear on the form for a
later phase.
2. Orders for the entire day (10 phases) must be written before starting the first move.
3. A new set of orders must be written for each day.
4. Orders for each phase are revealed as the phase begins.
5. Order abbreviations:
- S (Stand) - Hold position and receive any attacks.
May pursue.
E (Evade) - Move to avoid engagement if attacked. Stand otherwise. Do not pursue.
A (Advance) - Move forward or advance to attack nearest enemy.
L/R (Left/Right) - March toward the left (or right) flank.
FB (Fall Back) - Move back. Engage enemy if attacked. Do not pursue.
Example above shows the crossbow unit in the center is ordered to stand during the first phase, then fall back until the 6th phase and advance against the enemy until the 7th phase; advancing thereafter untiI end of engagement.
6. A CHARGE or FORMATION CHANGE may be declared for any unit in position to do so at the beginning of any phase.
7. MISSILE FIRE may be ordered verbally for any unit, any time during a phase in which they did not move (except LC, who may fire while on the move).
8. A COUNTER-CHARGE may not be delcared by any unit being charged unless they already have orders to advance or engage the enemy while in Fall-Back. Only Elite Knights and fanatic troops are exempt from this rule and have the option to counter-charge at any time. If successful, they go into uncontrolled advance for the remainder of engagement; that is: if target unit is broken or in retreat, these troops will pursue and continue to charge the next nearest enemy unit regardless of orders.
All Knights will charge when within charge range OT the enemy (unless a 6 is tossed) but will revert back to their orders after the charge and subsequent engagement is concluded.
9. ORDERS MAY BE CHANGED by the C. in C. via messenger to commander of effected unit. Units in rout, in retreat or without a commander are considered without orders. They can defend themselves and may retreat, but cannot initiate any action against the enemy.
THE AFTERMATH
By the time Marnon's defeated army returned to Bentwood Castle, word of the Duke's disgrace at Ore Hill had already spread. Prince Henry used it to influence his levied troops and mercenaries to join him in a march on Oxleaf without the Duke's blessing. Henry seized the opportunity to rebuild his strength in hopes of realizing his alleged ambition to the Marnon throne (see "MARNON, 1231-The Early Campaign", Vol IV, No 1).
The Duke's unfortunate position and weakened military strength contributed to Henry's success, and the Prince marched to Oxleaf with the army he had gathered at Flintcastle. Upon arrival, he sprung the most unexpected surprise of the entire campaign, later known as The Treay of Oxleaf.
This bargain and peace agreement with Toghrul Khan led to Henry's cooperation with the Tatars in helping them to storm Gaudy Castle in return for safe conduct to Dunes and the establishment of Henry as ruler of all Marnon. Toghrul Khan also received the entire Whispery Meadow region and most of northern Golden Dunes in the bargain. The Duke of Bentwood was powerless to oppose them and remained cloistered in his castle with his garrison and a handful of loyal knights. The King's Archers, however, rebelled and deserted.
Being the oldest (and most prestigious) military unit in Marnon, dating back to the reign of King Marn, they did not react kindly to serving a ruler failing from power into disgrace.
The foregoing strategic developments were conducted using our own rules (explained in the first article of this series), as well as the parley procedure used in "The Siege of Oxleaf- and disobedience and own initiative rules inspired by Dave Millward's ideas in his "God's Acre".
Although on the verge of a civil war, Marnon remained status quo and hostilities between native factions did not material ize- Tatar occupation was currently the universal concern. Henry's new principality was weak and could not survive without Toghrul Khan's cooperation. Montreil deGascon remained neutral so far as Marnon was concerned, but he was fiercely opposed to Henry's association with the Tatar oppresors. His choice of action was the next biggest surprise of the campaign. His knights, who survived Ore Hill, agreed to hire themselves out as mercenaries to any faction fighting against Toghrul Khan.
They were joined shortly thereafter by the outlaw King's Archers. Under deGascon's eadership, they took over the undefended Castle Kilgarren as a demonstration of final commitment to their position. Soon to be known as the Gascon Free Company, this mercenary organization was destined to become a feared, but respected, military force to be reckoned with. By the time of the Battle of Kilgarren, the Company numbered 140 elite knights in addition to 200 archers.
More Marnon Part 3
Marnon
- Marnon Campaign Part I
Marnon Campaign Part II
Marnon Campaign Part III
Marnon Campaign Part IV
Marnon Campaign Part V
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