The constant raiding and harassment of Pilgrims in the Holy Land triggered what was to be known as The First Crusade. This affair was a short one, running five or so years from start to finish. The primary opponents were the Western Feudal Society refereed to as Franks or in game terms "The First Crusaders". Their most common foe were The Syrians as they are now called but refereed to as Seljuq Turks in this article.

The battles were few, bloody and usually decisive. This period lends itself well to skirmish level games but that should be covered with a different set of rules and scenarios. The Warhammer Historical rules would do. The following scenarios however are intended to be played with Day Of Battle using The First Crusader Supplement.

To purchase either contact us in the medium of your choice. We'll send you a copy and bill you later, we trust you.

Day Of Battle Core Rules Set $12.00
The First Crusade Supplement- 1 $6.00

All About Games
PO Box 1201, Plaistow NH, 03865.
EMail: Cparker868 * aol.com.
Voice (508) 363-2320

THE BATTLE OF THE BOSPORUS

This battle was fought in a large valley, where the army of the Pilgrims Crusade, were ambushed, hemmed in on all sides, and slaughtered. To play this battle the Pilgrims set up first. Using the new Crusader Terrain Chart they randomly select and place one piece from the Open Column. The Turks then randomly select and place three terrain pieces. The Pilgrims deploy first.

The Pilgrim Army: 35 points

Use the First Crusader Army list, but double the minimum number of Pilgrims listed. All of these must be purchased before any other troop type. The army contains a Duke (Social Rank 4) as leader and one banner. A Noble (Social Rank 2) and/or a Knight (Social Rank 1) may be purchased as Heroes. No allied troops are allowed.

The Turkish Army: 50 points (after handicap)

Use the Seljuq Turk Army list but delete the Askari Elite Heavy Cavalry. The army contains a Caliph (Social Rank 4) as leader, an Atabeg (Social Rank 2) as a leader and two banners. In addition up to two Warriors (Social Rank 1) may be purchased as Heroes. No allied troops are allowed.

The Turks move first. The battle ends when one side loses 1/3rd of it's Company's.

THE RELIEF OF NICEA

This battle was fought outside the city walls of Nicea, with the Seljuq Turks attempted to fight their way in. To play this battle the Crusaders set up first. Using the new Crusader Terrain Chart they randomly select and place three terrain pieces from the Mixed Column.

The Turks then randomly select and place one terrain piece. Then the Crusaders deploy first. No scouting or flank marches are allowed. No allied troops are allowed.

The Crusader Army: 40 points

Use the First Crusader Army list. To reflect the possibility of an early battle at dawn increase the chance for knights to be on foot roll 1 D20 for each Company of knights. On the roll of 12-20 the company will fight dismounted for the battle. The army must contain a Duke (Social Rank 4) as leader and one banner. An Noble (Social Rank 2) may be purchased as a Hero. No allied troops allowed.

The Turkish Army: 50 points (after handicap)

Use the Seljuq Turk Army list. The army must contain Sultan Kilij Arslan (Social Rank 5) as leader and at least one Banner. It may also contain an Atabeg (Social Rank 2) as a leader or hero and a Warrior (Social Rank 1) as a Hero. The Turkish camp contains his treasure. If the camp is occupied by any Crusader company the camp counts as double victory points to the Crusaders. No allied troops allowed.

First move goes to the side with the highest initiative per Day Of Battle. If the Crusaders can hold out for 10 turns they will be reinforced by the rest of the army and win the battle. All other rules apply. Sultan Kilij Arslan Social Rank: Sultan SR(5) Esteem: Known Motivation: Mercenary Initiative: 16 Combat:+2 Morale:+5 Personal Combat, 1 Page, Squire, Sergeant, 2 Special Retainers.

THE BATTLE OF DORYLAEUM - 31 June, 1097

Infuriated over the loss of his capital, wife and treasure at Nicea, Sultan Kilij Arslan planned, as he had for Peter, an ambush of the Crusaders further along their march. This time the headstrong sultan mistook the Crusader vanguard (led by Bohemond) for the main army and attacked it headlong. The attackers drove the Crusaders all the way back onto their camp. Then, as many soldiers are prone to do they stopped to sack and pillage it. The Franks had fought long and hard, holding the Turks long enough for the main Crusader army (led by Raymond of Toulouse) to come up on the Turk flank, this followed by the sudden appearance of Adhemar with a small force in the Turkish rear saw them soundly beaten.

This battle was fought in the open, when the Turks attempted to surround and slaughter the Crusaders. To play this battle the Crusaders set up first. Using the new Crusader Terrain Chart they randomly select and place three terrain pieces from the Mixed Column. The Turks then randomly select and place three terrain pieces. No piece of their terrain may be placed within 6" of either table edge or rear. When the Turkish army is deployed all units must be at least 6" from either flank, and may never face these sides until a) Raymond arrives or b) a Crusader unit forces them too. The Crusaders deploy first. No scouting or additional flank marches allowed.

The Crusader Army: 35 points

Use the First Crusader Army list. At least half of all knight Cos. must fight dismounted. The army must contain Duke Bohemond (Social Rank 4) as leader and one banner. A Noble (Social Rank 2) and/or a Knight (Social Rank 1) may be purchased as Heroes. No allied troops allow.

Bohemond (-d1111) Social Rank: Duke SR(4) Esteem: Notable Motivation: Raider Initiative: 16 Combat:+3 Morale:+2 Personal Combat: 16 Page, Squire, Sergeant, 2 Special Retainers.

Raymond: 40 points

This force represents the first body of the main army to arrive. It will appear on the flank noted in the set up. The force may not arrive before turn 5. Count Raymond's force is treated as a flank march. All flank march rules apply. . The army must contain Count Raymond (Social Rank 3) as leader and one banner. A Noble (Social Rank 2) and/or a Knight (Social Rank 1) may be purchased as Heroes. No allied troops allowed.

Raymond Social Rank: Count SR(3) Esteem: Famous Motivation: Chivalric Initiative: 16 Combat:+4 Morale:+2 Personal Combat: 15 Page, Squire, Sergeant, I Special Retainer.

Adhemar: 4 points

Starting with game turn 5 and from then on the Crusaders secretly roll 1D20 for a 15+ (adding a +1 for each turn from then on until Adhemar arrives). When the roll is successful Adhemar appears behind the Turks. To represent his force place a hero and a company of knights anywhere along the Turkish rear table edge. This force never moves and may not attack or be attacked. From then on all units that make a morale check on the Turkish side are considered threatened and use the -5 modifier to their morale Checks.

Adhemar, Bishop of Puy-France (-d 1098) Social Rank: Noble SR(2) Esteem: Famous Motivation: Chivalric Initiative: 12 Combat: +1 Morale:+5 Personal Combat: 12 Page, Special Retainer: Herald

The Turkish Army: 60 points (after handicap)

Use the Seljuq Turk Army list made up from 2 picks that represents a realistic portion of the Turkish army that could be engaged. The army must contain Sultan Kilij Arslan (Social Rank 5) as leader and a Banner. It may also contain an Atabeg (Social Rank 2) as a leader or hero and a Warrior (SRI) as a Hero. The Turkish camp contains his wife, family and treasure. His family were recently sent to him by The Byzantines after being captured by the Byzantine who held them. If occupied it counts as double victory points. No allied troops allowed.

First move goes to the Turks. At this time the Crusaders secretly write down which flank Raymond will appear on. The battle ends when one side loses 1/3rd of it's Company's

Epilog

With most of his army destroyed, the Sultan Kilij Arslan was forced to harass the Crusader advance through Anatolia. It was a march of endless skirmishes and forays into the rough land through which the Crusaders marched. During skirmishes with the Turks, some Franks claim to have seen visions of angelic warriors assuring them that they had been chosen to liberate Jerusalem. The march was a terrible ordeal with more men and beasts dying at this stage then in battle. Throughout these sufferings the Crusaders felt that their God was testing them and while some chose to desert most pushed on to meet the challenge.

THE BATTLE Of ANTIOCH - 1098

This battle was fought to the front of the city as the Crusaders stormed out, formed up and attacked. The Turks, unable to use their favorite tactic (swarm the flank) fell back before the Crusaders onto their camp. One final charge and the Turks broke and fled.

The Crusader Army: 40 points

Use the First Crusader Army list. The army must contain Duke Bohemond (Social Rank 4) as leader and one banner. A Noble (Social Rank 2) and/or a Knight (Social Rank 1) may be purchased as Heroes. No allied troops allowed.

The Turkish Army: 60 points (after handicap)

Use the Seljuq Turk Army list made up from 2 picks. The army must contain Caliph Kerboga (Social Rank 4) as leader and a Banner. It may also contain an Atabeg (Social Rank 2) as a leader or hero and a Warrior (SRI) as a Hero.

First move goes is determined per Day Of Battle Core Rules.

OTHER LEADERS OF THE FIRST CRUSADE

Peter The Hermit, Social Rank: Commoner SR(O), Esteem: Known, Motivation: Chivalric, Initiative: 11, Combat:+1, Morale:+3, Personal Combat: 11, Page

Godfrey Of Bouillon-Duke of Lorraine (-d 1100), Social Rank: Duke SR(4), Esteem: Notable , Motivation: Chivalric, Initiative: 16, Combat:+5, Morale:+2, Personal Combat: 15, Page, Squire, Sergeant, 2 Special Retainers.

Alexius I-Emperor Of Byzantium (1081-1118), Social Rank: Emperor SR(6), Esteem: Famous, Motivation: Mercenary, Initiative: 18, Combat:+1, Morale:+3, Personal Combat: 15, Page, Squire, Sergeant, 4 Special Retainers.

Mi

Crusader Terrain Chart				Card	Open	Hilly
A	Village*	Village*	Village*
2	Gully*	Gully	Gully*
3	Marsh	Marsh*	Hedge Or Fence*
4	Gentle Slope	Gentle Slope	Gentle Slope
5	Sand Hill	Steep Slope*	Steep Slope
6	Gentle Slope	Gentle Slope	Steep Slope
7	Stream (36")*	Stream (36")*	Stream (36")*
8	Light Brush	Woods	Woods
9	Light Brush	Woods	Woods
10	Oasis*	Oasis*	Woods

Cards: Draw 1 card per Terrain Pick.
* No more than one piece of this terrain may be on a battlefield. Redraw for a new terrain piece.
JOKER: Allows a choice of the terrain and its placement anywhere.
TERRAIN SIZE: Most features are 12" by 6". Villages are 10" X 10". A Marsh is 6" x 6" with a 12" stream attached that must touch a table edge. Hedges etc. are 1" x1" and may be bent any number of times.