Lion Rampant

The Baltic regions were aflame with battle once more. The Brotherhood of the Sword had deployed to engage in a "Bloodbath" scenario to revenge their loss of a key storage building in the last game. on the other side the Forest worshipers of the Giant Forest Rabbit were flushed with their victory and sure they could take on the Crusaders in more open ground. They would later rue this decision. 

Above the entire battlefield stretches before you. The Baltic Pagans chose a strong deployment on their right. Only a single unit anchored the other flank. For the Crusaders they stood back relying on the aggressive advance of their enemy. They decided to use their missiles to thin the enemy numbers and a right hook of cavalry to attack the flank. 

Here the Pagans can be seen lurking in the forest hoping to catch a glance of their beloved rabbit god - also no doubt throwing some insults. 

The Crusaders were made of stern stuff however and they ignored the nasty names they were called and stayed in their formation. This consisted of two spear units guarding a crossbow unit. This formation is very effective as units cannot come within 3" of the enemy in Lion Rampant - the enemy cannot attack the crossbow without routing the spear first BUT the crossbow can still shoot. 

Part one of the cavalry armoured fist that rode around the side of the pagans. 

Part two - these mounted men-at-arms pack a terrific punch and in this game their entry into the fray in the final turns was key to securing victory. 

A back view of the main Crusader formation. 

The main assault of the Pagans - I do like the pretty red shields. Unfortunately too many were perforated by missiles and their Rabbit god deserted them at key moments. Many of their courage rolls throughout the night were very low leading to Battered results and routs that left their line very thin. 

Not the last act for the evening but this image is telling of the final phase. The Crusader cavalry crashed into the enemy - although flanking has no effect in Lion Rampant - inflicting many casualties on the lines thinned by crossbow bolts and bidower fire. The shakiness of the image was caused by the thundering hooves and their effect on the photographer.