Both Roth and Bors stamped their feet to ward off the early morning chill. For the past two hours, they had been standing along with other bowmen from their shire, on a small hillock. To the right and left of their position, the rest of the English Army also stood, waiting and enduring the same cold air. It was not a very colorful sight, for the men were tired from marching, they were hungry, and some were ill. Indeed, the arms and armor worn by the men looked to be in poor condition, for it had not been properly kept while on this campaign. The bowmen had the worst of it on this morning, for they had been charged with covering the front of their lines with pointed stakes - a kind of crude abatis - in order to slow the expected advance of the French. Dirty and even more tired from the work, Roth and Bors did not speak. They both were intent upon the spectacle across the field. And each understood what this day could bring. At that very moment, the sun pierced the grey sky, and played on the draped, plate-armored flower that was French chivalry. INTRODUCTION With the success (subjective) of my first play-test of the ARMATI rules, and the enjoyment I had in writing about the game, I thought I would try another period. And so it was that I browsed through the extensive army lists contained in the book, finally selecting 100 Years War French and English. While my last play-test was inspired by the writing of Colleen McCullough, this game may be said to have been the product of re-reading Keegan's text on Agincourt (The Face of Battle, pages 79-116), and memories of Kenneth Branagh's terrific film adaptation, Henry V. This play-test was also run with cardboard counters, my rationale for this miniature representation already explained in the previous report. This game too, was based on 15 mm scale, and the army sizes were of epic proportions. However, as I like large forces on the table, the army sizes were doubled for this game. In order to avoid possible traffic jams, the table size was increased as well. DEPLOYMENT Terrain selection and placement favored the English in this play-test, as they rolled for three small, gentle hills on their side of the field. The English commander placed these hills in a fairly straight line, leaving gaps for the proposed placement of his foot soldiers and/or men-at-arms. Needless to say, this was not too gratifying for the French commander. On his roll, he received a medium-sized wood, which was quickly placed on the right flank. As the French force was predominantly knights and heavy cavalry, this placement only made sense. As basic forces had been doubled for this game, the French host looked very impressive and irresistible indeed. (Please see Map I for dispositions of each side.) The French deployed in 10 divisions, of which four were designated LIGHT, and six were HEAVY. The mercenary crossbow men were set out in front of the right and left flanks, screening the serried ranks of footmen (4). The rest of the French Army was in two lines, each of three divisions. In the center (of course) the knights took up station, the Prince (the French General - and not the Dauphin) riding with the first line (1). To the right and left of this first line of knights were "battles" of footmen, armed with various pole-arms and short lances (3). The second main line of the French was very much the same, with the addition of a strong cavalry element on each flank, supporting the foot soldiers (2). These cavalry wings were deployed in echelon. The battle plan for such a force was simple and direct: Advance and crush the English by weight of charge, elan, and the superior character and fighting ability of the French knight. Recognizing this, and very aware of the weight (and ability) of the French, the English Commander assumed a completely defensive posture. His intent, as with most of the soldiers who could see the French force, was one of survival. The English force was also comprised of 10 divisions all classified as HEAVY. Three strong units of longbow men were stationed on the hills, each position covered by stakes (D). A fourth unit of longbow men was placed in between the center and right hills, and they were also protected by stakes (D). Behind this division of bowmen, the English commander placed one unit of dismounted knights (A). Behind the archers on the hill to their right, he placed a single unit of dismounted men-at-arms (C.). Between the left and center hills, the English commander placed a strong phalanx of two units of footmen, with a group of dismounted knights in the middle (A,C) [Under the ARMATI rules, this deployment increases the frontal fighter ability of the knights as well as the other units in the division.] To the rear of this division there were two units of mounted knights (A). The English general attached himself to this unit so that he could either sway the tide of melee at a critical point, or be assured of an escort in case he had to leave the field. Behind the longbow unit on the left Bank hill was another unit of footmen, armed with deadly bills (C). Finishing the English deployment was a "spoiler" division of men-at-arms (B). These were placed on the far left flank, in the hopes that they might be able to give pause to the French advance, or at least raise havoc with the support troops. If this cavalry could make its way to the rear of the French, then the threat of the knights would not be so great. As it turned out, the threat of the French knights was simply that - a threat. BATTLE The first two turns of this game saw a general advance by the French host. As the footmen move approximately half the speed of the knights, a giant wedge formation soon developed. From above the battlefield then, the French Army looked like a road arrow point aimed at the heart of the English position. Whether it was the feather or simply the intimidation of the French advance, the English were not shooting well. (The English commander refuted any comments about his ability to roll high dice!) At the end of the second turn, the French were closing, and their ranks had not been decimated by fire from the longbows. Indeed, the mercenary crossbow men were taking the brunt of this punishment. However, two hits BPs/Break Points) were scored against the unit of French knights with attached general. There was no movement or adjustment on the part of the English. Again, their battle plan was simply to survive the approaching onslaught. Turn three saw the initiative remain securely with the French. However, the results of firing for this move were to be a kind of foreshadowing for the end of the game. Not only were the Genoese crossbow units eliminated under the withering fire of the longbow units on either flank, but the concentrated fire against the first line of French knights had destroyed the unit to which the general was attached. The Army and first line was now leaderless. But the "charge" had already commenced. As word spread of the Prince's demise at the hands of lowly bowmen, the French redoubled their efforts to bring the English to melee. The loss of this one unit however, split the French division, thereby reducing the initiative rating by a factor of two. This loss also reduced the number of key units remaining (that could be lost) to eight for the French. On turn four, contact was made. The French weathered another volley of arrows and then crashed into the staked-positions in the center of the English line. The split- division attacked the combined unit of English knights and footmen between the left and center hills. On the flanks the French foot soldiers advanced steadily against ~the longbow men. Firing was relatively ineffective, a BP being taken here and there. In the fight among the stakes, the carnage was terrible. Two units of knights struggled to "come to grips" with three units of longbow men. The left-most unit of knights suffered 2 BPs from the combined effects of bow fire, the abatis, and roving parties of bowmen with axes. Two of the three longbow units took one BP each. (Please see Map II for detail of battle.) On the next turn, initiative passed to the English. As the center was involved, and the French were closing in on both left and right flanks, the only available division that could be safely moved was the "spoiler" division on the far left flank. On this turn, the longbow units finally found their marks. On the French left, three units of footmen took one BP each from this fire. A unit of knights in the second line was eliminated, and a total of two BPs were scored on the French units advancing against the English left. The French were forced to split another division in order to counter the flanking move of the English heavy cavalry. In terms of melee, the bloodbath in the center continued. On the center hill, the exchange was even - if only in BP. The French lost another unit of knights and the English division was broken in two with the loss of a single longbow unit. In the combat between the knights and English "phalanx", the exchange was even here too, as each side scored a BP against the other. Initiative remained with the English for turn six, as the French Army rating had been reduced to "one" through combat and movement. The English commander gave the move to the French, only after his unengaged longbow men had riddled the advancing ranks of the French once again. The first division of French knights was reduced considerably, and across the remaining front line units, a grand total of 10 BPs had been inflicted. Finally, but perhaps too late for the French, they had reached the English defensive line. The melee phase began with an exchange of charges between the English and French heavy cavalry (2 v. B). The English were broken, and the French pursued. This left both forces threatened by a heavy cavalry unit hovering on the flank and rear of their position. Along the main line of combat, the English lost two longbow units from either flank, resulting in a broken division and a reduction in initiative rating. On the French right, one footmen unit died on the stakes, having been too weakened by the effects of archery. In the center, the relatively fresh and untouched second line of knights advanced over the bodies of their fallen brothers, only to meet the same stubborn resistance of the stakes and solid wall of bills and lances. The end of this melee sequence found two units one BP away from rout. Things were not at all good for the French. And yet, the very next turn saw the favor of battle sway back to the French. The exhaustion of the English forces began to tell, as no less than three units of longbow men were routed from the right and center. In the center especially, this defeat opened up a rather large gap in the line. Unfortunately, the French had no reserves available to exploit the advantage. Of the original compliment of eight units of knights, only three remained on the field. And these units were reduced in strength. On the English left, the longbow men gave a better account, holding their own against the now desperate French infantry. The left most unit of Frenchmen turned and ran under clouds of arrows, leaving only two units to Canad. the advance. During all this, the two heavy cavalry units continued there circuit of the opposite flanks. The English found themselves in generally better position however, poised to strike against the rear of the engaged French knights. This happened on the next move, as the English were blessed with a high initiative roll. (Both armies had been reduced to a rating of "one" through combat splits.) Firing was minimal, as the English left was lightly engaged. The supporting ranks of French men-at-arms suffered then, from the close range fire of longbow men. Melees continued along the line; this turn bringing in the effect of fatigue on most every unit engaged. The fatigue factor plus an attack in the rear was too much for the French knights, and they broke. In the center, on the hill, the bloodied French knights were charged by the English reserve and received additional BPs. On the right, exhaustion had a telling effect, as neither side could score against the other. The movement of the foot soldiers into the fray could only hurt the French cause however. A check of BP for each Army showed the French with nine and the English with seven key units lost. The French could take one more and then that would be all. The game was decided on the next turn. Oddly enough, it was through missile fire that the English achieved victory. On the left flank, two units of longbow men scored further hits against the French men-at-arms, breaking one unit. (See Map III for situation at the end of game.) COMMENTARY Like the previous game narrated in the pages of MWAN, this contest was played solo. (Instead of a week, this battle took place over two nights.) ARMATI seems well suited for such gaming, as the rules governing movement are fairly strict and straightforward. The thinking that is involved takes place during the deployment phase. Here I simply shifted between the roles of English and French commander. As the English, I recognized the advantage in cavalry for the French and so was fortunate to capitalize on the terrain rolls and, elected to defend my longbow units with stakes. I also took advantage of the bonus given to units in a division with dismounted knights or men-at-arms. Donning the helm of the Dauphin - as it were - I wanted to overwhelm the English. Force was the issue, not finesse. Accordingly, I placed the knights in the center. Perhaps I was in error to put the men-at-arms behind the footmen, but that is subject to debate. Historically, and this judgment is based on my admittedly limited knowledge of warfare in the 14th century, the results of the game seemed accurate. The game was exciting and fun, though one might guess otherwise, given the lack of style demonstrated by the French. Initially though, I was somewhat disturbed by the poor shooting of the longbow men. And, as I played through this game, I thought it somewhat unfair to the French that their mounted units could not simply run into the melee that was going on to their front. I understand that this would result in general confusion, but it also seems to me that impetus would carry them through to the English line. I recall Keegan mentioning this occurrence; the French knights would not allow their footmen time to regroup, and so added to the muddy confusion on that particular field of battle. It was not my intent to recreate the Battle of Agincourt on table top. My intention was to explore, and report on, my interest in other periods of conflict with the ARMATI rules. This interest has been reinforced by material taken off of the Internet, and from brief, rules clarifying correspondences with Mr. Conliffe. I understand that a supplement book for ARMATI is due in April. This is one war gamer who will be looking to make the purchase. Back to MWAN #84 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1996 Hal Thinglum This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com