One of most interesting people In English History was Richard the Lionheart. I have been studying early English history for a number of years and reached the eleventh century last year. It was then I read Richard's The Lionheart by John Gillingham. He aroused my interest so much that I put together the Anglo Norman list 134 and headed for Simcon in March 1992. I didn't do well, but I enjoyed playing the army. It was fun and with practice I knew it could do well. In January of 1993 I read a second biography Richard The Lionheart by Anthony Bridge. If there was ever any doubts about playing an Anglo Norman army, Mr. Bridge put them far behind. So once again I headed for Simcon, full of excitement and enthusiasm.

This year I made some changes to my list and also brought along a monk named Albinus. He carried with him some Important religious relics. A finger from St. Thomas of Villereal, a lock of hair from John the Baptist and a splinter of wood from the Cross of St. Paul.

I was matched up with Jamie Fish and his Anglo-Irish in the first round. Jamie and I agreed that it would be a bloody battle fought over a small area of the board. In laying down the terrain. Jamie rolled two 6's and managed to place woods all across the center of the board. Where was Albinus? Later it was discovered he had overdone the wine at morning services and arrived late. When Jamie put down the woods he left enough room for me to place my knights between two woods and also between the woods and the table edge on the right flank. This enabled me to move my knights into the battle along with my Infantry which I forced marched Into the woods.

I was fortunate that Jamie didn't force march any of his units. Highlights of the battle began when Albinus arrived. The "Anville" knights received archery fire from one of the Anglo- Irish longbowmen units. It was forced to charge which It did. The longbowmen evaded. The knights rolled long while the longbowmen rolled short. Having caught the Irish "D's" In the rear I rolled +4 and routed them. Jamie was not pleased as I continued to roll +4s and +3s in other melees.

Eventually I routed his Galloglalch unit which was suppose to push through the Fyrd. Richard was elated over his success. Alblnus had completed his task and brought the wrath of his religious relics down upon the Irish heathens. McLaughlin was standing alone against the "Chalas" fyrd unit In the center, hoping for assistance before the battle ended. Richard was ready to declare his invasion a success and return to England.

However, when we totaled the points at the end of the battle, Jamie had Inflicted 65 more points on me. He had a winning draw, 3-2. Richard felt he was successful and sailed home triumphantly.

Second Round

My second round battle was against Alan Isabelle and his Marian Romans. Albinus was so elated by his success against the Anglo-Irish that he drank himself Into a state of unconsciousness. This was to be seen by the -2s and -3s I rolled with my Fyrd. Those glorious "buggers" that fought so well against the Irish couldn't do anything against the Romans. Richard finally decided that "enough-was-enough" and left the field. Alan 5, Richard 1.

Round 3

It was time to revive Albinus. Round 3 was against Larry Essick and his Golden Horde. It was my turn to get die roll 6 for terrain and I was able to place woods on my right center and right flank. I also placed a hill on my left center. Prior to this Larry had placed a major water feature on his right flank and a minor water feature along his deployment area. Not a good start for Larry.

Once again I forced marched my Infantry to gain center position. Larry out scouted me so It was Important I gain whatever advantage I could. Larry had two large cavalry units, 27 figures each, in front of my knights. We spent the first five turns Larry shooting and me charging. It was getting to the point that soon my knights would be exhausted. Once this happened, Larry would only have to charge them to create a breach in the line. It was time for Alblnus to the rescue. Turn 6. Larry evaded and rolled short, I rolled long and caught him.

Turn 7, I charged with my "Loches" fyrd and my "Montignac" knights. Larry was desperate. He charged his Sub-General Into the "Loches" fyrd but managed to only recoll them. In turn 8 Larry lost his Sub-General and both 27 man cavalry units. With these routs came wavers which caused units to become shaken. Larry's entire left flank would now have to retire. This ended the game, Richard 5. Larry 1.

I was unable to attend the finish of the tournament on Sunday. My thanks to Scott Holder as umpire and Terry Gore for setting up the tournament. It was a very enjoyable day of gaming and meeting with friends. Yes, I have already revised my list and Richard will once again return to Rochester. Then again. that Scots Common Army looks Interesting or how about the Early Crusaders?