Battle of Newburn Ford, 28th August 1640 Pt. 1: 1300

So finally got soldiers on the table. It’s going to be a long process, but going to be well worth doing. Goal: to play every single battle of the English Civil War. Madness-probably. Impossible: Probably. But I think, well worth it for giving purpose towards further writing/modelling projects.

The battle is set out as a mini-campaign around the only major battle of the Bishops War, at Newburn Ford. the battle will be played out over five games, with each game feeding into the other-so that if a unit of two dragoons appears in the first scenario, get killed off, but i due to appear in the 5^th scenario, they remain dead, thus sewing a seed of doubt at the back of the commanders mind needing to conserve troops for later use.

Background

Amid widespread opposition to Charles I’s imposed Episcopalianism and New Book of Common Prayer on a dominant Scots’ Presbyterian Population in 1637, the population of Southern Scotland signed the National League and Covenant and raised an army. Outstripping anything the King could raise, its officer corps blooded in Sweden and the Low Countries, the Scots’ emerged victorious from the short lived First Bishops War, with two ignominious standoffs at Kelso and Duns Law. However Charles was not one to sit idle for long and conflict would continue. To pre-empt Charles, the Covenanters must invade first.

Reaching the lowest crossing point on the River Tyne, the Covenanter forces under Sir Alexander Leslie could effectively bottle in the coal trade coming out of Newcastle, from the weak southern defences, hampering any Royalist opposition before it could even muster. Outnumbering their Royalist opposition by 7:1, the Covenanters held all the negotiating cards.

A Royalist detachment from the garrison of Newcastle under Lord Conway, had initially ensconced themselves at the ford. He had been ordered personally by the Earl of Strafford to give battle to the Scots by any means necessary. John Rushworth wrote;

... were drawn forth into a plain Meadow ground which was near a mile in length, close on the South side of [the] Tyne, called Newborne-Haugh or Stella-Haugh, to hinder the Scots from passing the River in the night time, where were two several Sconces or Breast-works raised by the English against the two Fords, which the Scots might pass over at Low water, for till then they could not pass the Tyne, and into each Sconce were put four hundred Musqueteers and four pieces of Ordinance.

The Horse were drawn into Squadrons in the said Haugh at some distance from the Foot, in this posture Horse and Foot guarded the River all that night and the next day, till the engagement.

The Scots all the forenoon watered their Horses at one side of the River, and the English on the other side, without affronting one another or giving any reproachful language.

Sir Alexander Leslie

Captain Thomas Dymock wrote;

Their army appeared marching on the hills above the ford when we were drawing into our miserable works in the valley, where we lay so exposed to their battery, that their great shot was bowled in amongst our men, to their great loss.

John Rushworth on the Scot’s dispositions;

The Scots, having the advantage of the rising ground above Newbourne, easily discerned the posture and motion of the English Army below in the Valley on the Southside the River, but the posture of the Scots Army the English could not discern, by reason of the Houses, Hedges, and Inclosures in and about Newbourne.  The Scots brought some Cannon into Newbourne Town, and planted some in the Church Steeple a small distance from the River Tyne, their Musqueteers were placed in the Church, Houses, Lanes and Hedges in and about Newbourne.

 At midday on the 28th, Leslie sent forward a herald to give terms, assuring Conway of no ill will on his part, wishing to petition the King. Conway agreed to a small party, but not the whole army. The herald was taunted away by the Royalist pickets.

Looking from the Scots positions at Ryton, down onto the battlefield

At 1pm, with the tide falling, a Scottish officer, wearing a black feather in his bonnet, rode into the river. He was shot down immediately. This prompted Leslie into an initial advance led by 300 Covenanter horse.

How it played out

Played out on a 120cm² table, victory depended on routing the other army from the field. Caught in an immediate crossfire, options were limited to the four units of Covenanter Dragoons. Note, you will notice many of them depicted in redcoats throughout the article, this was due to the 1640 issue for Monroes Scot’s Army for Ireland being issued with them-they are likely to have worn out very quickly.

However initial initiative failures on the part of Conway’s forces, commanded by yours truly, meant that ample time was provided for the dragoons to find cover within the ample tree line on the far side of the Tyne. But, still being too far away from the Royalist earthworks, no pot-shots could to be taken at their opposing gun teams. Any river crossing will slow down an army’s progress and this would be no different. Call it Cole’s crossing, 17^th century style.

However, succeeding on initiative the following turn and successfully rolling to fire, a round shot barrelled into Leven’s unit. Only one casualty was inflicted, but this was crucial when rolling to inflict a lucky blow, it became apparent that Leven had had his head taken off-curtailing any further military reputation at Marston Moor! All subsequent units passed their initiative, but with their commander out for six, stopped for that turn. A further shot barrelled into Leven’s dragoons, taking out another three, but they remained intact.

The following turn, provided a bit of welcome release to the Covenanters, with both guns now reloading, and the Royalist foot trying to invert, to provide covering fire once the dragoons got across the Tyne. However failed initiative from Monck’s company meant this was only partly achieved. However initially this would not matter, advance now being slowed by the dragoons wandering from the woods and venturing into the tide.

This would be most felt as again a raging crossfire, forced all but one unit back across the river, Leven’s own dragoons being wiped out. But rallying, Montrose’s successfully got across and in and amongst the earthworks, delivering a point blank volley at Monck’s company and wiping it out before the guns and infantry could pivot to meet this threat. Applied use of massed volleys and hailshot being used to wipe the Covenanter threat from the field.

Will they have a chance to build a successful bridgehead to finally take out the guns? Find out next month.

Sources:

Guest, K and D. British Battles: The Frontlines of History in Colour Photographs (HarperCollins/EH, 1994)

Leck, M. “Weapon’s for the Rebels: The Swedish Influence on the Battle of Newburn” Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy 87 (Karwansaray Publishing, Zutphen, 2016)

English Heritage Battlefield Report: Newburn Ford 1640 (London, 1995) DOI: https://content.historicengland.org.uk/content/docs/battlefields/newburn.pdf

Pikeman Rampant: A Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPZ3gXPC6n0 

So don’t say he’s behind the times. Only just got around to having a go with these. Anyway here are my thoughts. 

So to start off with, I expect big things from these. Lion Rampant is certainly my go to set of rules for the medieval period 1346-1530. They are quick, easy to pick up, hard to master, there is a minimum of stress and complicated mechanics, it is very much a set of pick up and play rules, that does get a modicum of period feel (although formations are not part of their gamut-need to look elsewhere for rules on using the herce). That said though, they are a set of pick up and play rules, that require no previous experience to play and can be over and done within a good 2 hours maximum. 

So onto Pikeman’s Lament (and not common campfire song on many an SK campsite). Pros wise, they do what they say on the tin, they are easy to learn, basically transplanting the Lion Rampant rules into the 17th century. Emphasis is on violent, destructive melees and shooting phases. Nothing wrong with that. 

The problem is that it feels like too much of a derivative of LR, without the period feel. In fact, if the player had no feel for the 17th century, it would just be another LR game with different models. While certainly they have tacked on an honour system for your officer/general, allowing him to issue special orders, accrue rank and honour, to match with the common perception of swashbuckling daring doe associated with The Three Musketeers, it might well have just been me, but I felt that while it was nice to have, it did not automatically change the game play at all, and merely felt tacked on to make it a different product. Maybe I just didn’t get a facet of the rules. Whatever the case didn’t really add anything. 

While 12” and 2” command and cohesion radius are applied, little is given over to regimental rank and file tactics of the period. The rules on just looking at the cover, do not make it 100% percent clear it is a skirmish set. From the size of the rules, I would put it as large skirmish, or company scale. As such, bodies of pike and shot are required to choreograph in cadence, according to a set order of battle, or dignity, so your most experienced soldiers, file leaders/markers, are on the right, all other companies dressing off their example. There is no concession made to this-it would certainly make a clear difference to command and control at this scale, placing it apart from its rules counterparts. 

As well, where cannon and musketry come into play, the rules make no concession for the difficulties of rain, user error, smoke, or other reasons why such weapons wouldn’t go off. Indeed it felt little different than dealing with archery in LR. Artillery is just put into the rules, without covering how they limber, unlimber, reload, crew error, or use of hail shot. These are the things that make Pike and Shot warfare tick. 

Now I am not saying the rules are bad. It’s a tried and tested system, it is easy to learn and for someone starting off in the 17th century, it’s a jumping off point. Personally though, for anyone tried and tested in the period though, I found myself tacking on rules from WECW, Pike and Shotte and The Kingdom is Ours, which shouldn’t be the case. All rule sets are meant to be guidelines, but certainly further concession was needed to make this a true 17th century rule set. Might have to go and have a look at Sharp Practice’s derivative. 

Now have still to try out rules for pike, that weight for my next Solo campaign game on 10th, (another post upcoming soon), but I would argue the rules are very good for small outpost work, and beating up quarters. Certainly not suited for large battle encounters. Will try one more game for Newburn campaign and then might switch to P&S 

Score-3/5

Border Reiving and Bannockburn

Apologies for the lack of recent posts. My new job as battle coordinator at the National Trust for Scotland's new Battle of Bannockburn Heritage Visitor centre has meant that hobby time has indeed been severely reduced. Ironic that I spend a large amount of my day running wargames for members of the public/talking about the history of the conflict, but hey they are paying my wages. However if you're in the area anytime soon, would like to participate in a light approximation of the battle and see some cool technology at work, please come along, participate and say hello.

The Claymore Rampant day, run by the above manufacturer of all things Scots War of Independence, went very well indeed. Although low on numbers (only about six of us turned up) it proved to be a very fun, laid back and enjoyable event, largely focused on a series of cross border raids in the 1340's. I just fell short of pipping the top spot by half a point, but nonetheless the victor well deserved his position. I really hope some more similar events are run in coming months, I'd certainly be up for them.

Recently my painting efforts have been focused upon painting up Border Reiver's for Glasgow Phoenix Wargamings "Not Too Hot,or Too Heavy" (to quote GM Fraser, who I am reading at the moment as background research) campaign, using Osprey's new set of rules En Garde, the miniatures have been made by Hoka Hey, using the old Graven Images castings and they are very nice indeed. Crisply detailed, with lots of research into period details they almost tick all my boxes. Hard wearing and not prone to broken spears or bent weapons, I also found this was one of the miniatures down points as they must have cast the pewter with antimony as it made them extremely difficult to trim sparing mould lines off. Equally (and this is me just nit picking) there are a couple of instances of belt buckles and baldricks that can be clearly seen below the belt, but do not extend over the shoulder. Now maybe it is just me, or they are meant to be portraying a hanger rather than the above, but it is slightly annoying, but a good bit of modelling putty/plasticard will easily rectify this. A solid 4/5 from me.

Equally, a lot has to be said for the En Garde ruleset, it has the feel of a mix of RPG, a bit of Mordheim with a dash of Dumas. Play alternates via an IGOUGO system, whereby the model/individual in question can do one of a series of action, move, attack or shoot. Very simple in nature, combat is based upon a combat pool, with the individual of the higher rank taking priority. Points in the combat pool can be spent on individual fencing actions that might get an individual out of a sticking situation which is quite innovative. With often only singular attacks available, a clear strategic undercurrent lies in the game. Morale falls after half a side is killed, and indeed in this respect it can prove fast, furious and indeed bloody. Needing only 6-12 miniatures a side at the most, it works perfectly for a quick game or for those strapped for time. I’m certainly going to be using it for the ECW.

I’m certainly now looking at raising a force to act as government march wardens to oppose my reivers, as well as raising my stock of livestock. However focus is very much on getting my ECW collection finished now without interruption. I am hugely looking forward to Bicorne Miniatures/HelionPublishing’s The Kingdom is Ours, so major time is now going to be set on finishing my favourite period. Incidently anyone rearranging their storage facilities for miniatures may well be interested that Poundland is currently selling magnetic tape. I have based about half my collection with it and it works perfectly. Check it out.

More soon.

Catchup, a book and a German Exercise.

Well it's been a while. For those waiting for a post-show report on last weekend's inaugural Scottish Battlefield's Trust wargames show, one has been written, but is not likely to appear on here, but rather will be cross posted from the Helion & Co. publishers blogHelion and Co. publishers blog website. All I can say for now is that it was a barnstorming success, and that this has almost certainly warranted a return in the New Year. Better get planning.

For those of you possibly connected to Helion Publishing, Devereux's regiment of the ECWS or are frequent followers of Wars of Louis Quatorze, might have noticed the recent cover for yours trulies debut publication. This will cover the development, implementation and reality that can be gleaned from military manuals of the period such as Ward, Bariffe and de Gheyn and how they were enacted on the battlefield, while equally using their deposits to highlight individual units and landscapes within the battlescape. Already available to preorder from Amazon-as well as the accompanying journal article , published 15 August, with an official launch also being held at the Century of the Soldier Conference in Shrewsbury, which I'll be attending. Keep an eye on this series as they are also producing a range of wargaming and specialist publications through this logo, hopefully a number of which I will be reviewing and playtesting on this blog.

Meanwhile, painting has been slow, with article writing, preparation for the Prestonpans Show and painting for the Lion Rampant tournament in April taking precedence. However I did manage to buy further forces for my Restoration project last week and a World War II Bolt Action battle (the first in a while) on Tuesday night at the club. Wanting to playtest the new additions to my German Army, (a Puma and FW190) and having rushed there, myself and my gaming partner Paul decided to fight an engagement from very late in the war Wehrmacht/Volksgrenadier against Waffen SS. I didn't manage to take many photos but this is the result. I do feel as if he and myself have very much become engaged in an arms race, both in terms of troops and terrain,(he's currently painting a Panther and putting onto the table some very nice ruined buildings, walls and 4Ground MDF Fencing-myself [diverting from other projects I might add] starting work on a bunker, a series of tank traps, an industrial complex and a number of ruined buildings-quite a set up I should think by the end) Here is the result//

A PanzerIV inches its way onto the battlefield, providing cover for advancing infantry and making itself heard. Against raw Volksgrenadier this should be a cake walk

Meanwhile, on their other flank German Infantry are held down in a firefight with German infantry in the ruins. The Howitzer very much proved the king of the battlefield that day, inflicting meagre, but effective casualties on their opponents. It even sucked up all the antitank fire from the Puma, forcing it away from the main objectives-no mean fete.

PanzerIV reigns supreme...not for long. Two shots fired into the Stug before its wrath was bought to bare, its 88mm gun making mincemeat of its more manouevrable foe.

The first game where we've included aircraft, my new FW180, more than makes up for its points cost. With four autocannons and two HMG's it virtually anhilated an entire squad in one term, and make for some fantastic dicerolling, with its speed meaning it is virtually impregnable to anything but the best antiaircraft fire. However, despite the number of casualties I inflicted and the number of units pinned, it was not enough to carry the game, me losing by two points, a lot better margin than previously. Maybe some more aircover is needed... :)

A 15mm FOGR game between 1650 New Model Army and Royalist Covenanter/Scots was also being played out and looked very impressive, the Scots having the worst of the action. Although I didn't see much of the action, it did seem an innordinate number of units was routing from the field, but did look very impressive. With the amount of interest currently being shown in the period at the club at the moment, really eager to get going again in gaming this period once April is past.

Next week a possible SYW Kings of the Battlefield report

Objectives for 2016

So a bit late I know, but thought it would be a useful endeavour to cover what I actually plan to do wargaming wise and timetable projects for this year. Since the New Year a couple more projects have come to the fore, so this is expanding on existing projects.

1. Lion Rampant Army for Earl of Mar-Using Perry Miniatures Plastic HYW miniatures, this will be a lowland Scots late medieval force for the Claymore Rampant wargames day event being held by Claymore Castings. Predicted end of project 22nd March

2. ECW-With the spate of English Civil War rules being released including The Kingdom is Ours, Bicorne Miniatures, Baroque Impetus, The Pikeman's Lament, En Garde and the Pike and Shotte Supplement, a working army for the period is essential. Other projects keep on getting in the way, so a finishing preliminary date pushed back from originally is May 1st. 

3.May Zulu-Forming forces for the The Men Who Would be Kings rules for the Zulu Civil Wars, this has been on the painting books for some time, hopefully being expanded into the Zulu wars/Boer Wars at a later date. 7th October

4. 17^th century-Scots government Army for the Pentland/Covenanter Risings/Killing Times. Expected time for finishing, new year.

5. After this occasional work throughout the year will also be put into building a series of earthworks and other terrain features such as 4' walls, a gate and breech, minefields, Rommel's asparagus, vinyards, pontoon bridge, tank traps, marsh, Bulwarks 3’, Damaged sconce, Minehead, Industrial Complex, Winter trees, Winter bushes, ravelin and batteries.

In between, there is a thought towards building a small Border Reiver force. But I think this timetabling is a good way of keeping track of where projects are going.

Mini Mania Pt.3- 17th Century Pike and Shotte

 Rather than lamenting inability to take part in the Holy Holly Day celebrations commemorating the Battle of Nantwich 1644 today, I feel it is time for another showcase. So as many of you might know, the 17th century and in particular The English Civil Wars are my favourite period of history and certainly the period I wargame the most. I research, am just finishing writing a book on the period, I reenact it, it is the period to which I feel I am an authority on. Therefore do not be surprised if in coming posts there is a predisposition for lots of 17th century material.

A quick note on photo's, still having issues with lighting and exposure-winter in Scotland does not make for the best framing of shots. Certainly for my part, I feel some of the issue is with the image resolution rating,  will from now on be raised to 18megapixels to make the best use of zoom focus and detail. Obviously at the moment this is a try and test method;we all want good looking miniatures, so photography is very much an uphill battle. If any followers want to further show me some free photo editing software available online, would be more than appreciated.

Petard and Petardiers Assistant, 28mm Foundry

2 Scots Frame Guns from Warlord Games.

The start of what I hope to be the next 17th century project after ECW is concluded (for the moment) and Zulu War. Wargaming the Covenanter/Pentland Risings 1666-71. What is so good about the period is that uniforms and units making up the Scots Government army are virtually the same as those at Sedgemoor in 1685, thus killing two birds with one stone, while also adding a couple of Scots Militia/Highlanders to the mix (as seen in the lower of the above). I'm not sure about doing Covenanter/Monmouth rebels for the period, as so few manufacturers make them, with little or no variation in pose. What I might do is go down the root that Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy did for their Glorious Revolution issue (and the Sealed Knot for every Sedgemoor reenactment) and use ECW armies and just buy available rebel figures to mix in. What are your thoughts?  Top Royal Regiment of Dragoons. 28mm North Star 1672

Leslie's Lifeguard, Cuirassiers (possibly previously in Swedish service as Argyle was also listed in one source as having a Cuirassier Lifeguard). 28mm Warlord Games

28mm Bicorne Miniatures Frame Gun. Quite possibly my favourite ECW manufacturer, I think I shall be coming to them for a large amount of my next purchases. Tons of character, paint up beautifully (although not sure the photos do them justice. Brilliant.

28mm Warlord Games Covenanters (with some Renegade and Foundry thrown in). Slowly but surely my Scots armies coming together. You might quite a few of them are dressed in red coats, which is quite unusual for Scots armies. Obviously when looking through the battlefield histories such as Auldearn and Kilsyth we come upon units such as Home’s Regiment of Redcoats, a supposed penal regiment that had yet to shed their British army for Scotland Coats, or indeed Sir Arthur Erskine of Scotscraigs Regiment, that did not have the required money, nor clothing issue of the period, so instead relied upon dressing their troops in black police vestments, or alternatively Argyle’s own regiment, based upon a black coat with red breeches, based upon his family livery, a factor carried on into many Campbell regiments. By corroborating and going through Covenant troops that served in Ireland from 1640-6 shows that in actual fact at least five known regiments wearing such coats. But if we also equally look at regimental returns , we can also ascertain pay was largely withheld during the Irish campaign, a factor Project Auldearn blog (a first class resource for anyone wishing to wargame Montrose’s rebellion) highlights by retaining 1/3 of all troops in redcoated regiments in grey/ragged coats. Therefore the objective of such an article would be to highlight the ability and need for differentiation, change and difference within Monro’s and ultimately the Scots Government Army during the 1640’s. The incorporation of Irish loyalist troops into their mix and some regiments, particularly Argyle’s retaining partial Highland folk dress argues the point that in terms of makeup, the Covenanter army was very similar to that fielded by Montrose.

Painted up using the Army Painter method (although I use watered down Cuprinol, its cheaper, generally does the same job, except for a gelling agent) I think in the flesh they really do the job and will look really impressive when they finally get on the gaming table soon.

All for now, next time possibly a book review.