This Tuesday witnessed a return to Lion Rampant and Arthurian conflict. This week 'Hammer and Anvil' was played with the previously victorious Arthur cornered by Saxon forces. Arthur was charged with cutting a way to victory and survival. Here perfidious British lords bartered coin for their national (i know the word is ridiculous in this context) loyalty and invested cavalry forces to defeat Arthur - the probable leader of Briton.
Arthur amassed his forces along the eastern edge of the table. Knowing he was pursued he gave orders for each unit to escape to the SW or NW corners of the table.
His stolid spear line were probably the most in doubt of reaching safety. They would hopefully buy the time the others needed.
The Saxons spread some of their forces in the centre to lure the Britons forward. Other were ranged along the western battlefield edge. More followed directly behind Arthur.
Arthur ordered his men forward but with a harsh gale impeding his warriors ability to hear his commands - the Brtions had scarcely moved before the Saxons were upon them.
The Saxons forces on just turn 2 were breathing down the necks of Arthur's warband. The trap was sprung ... would anyone escape? (Note: The Saxon forces are closest to the table edge. Really forces in this period were extremely similar thus making it hard to discern differences on the tabletop.)
Fortunately the same command problems dogged the Saxons. Arthur may yet survive?
British cavalry rode out trying to flank the Saxons while peppering them with javelins.
The Saxon thegns held firm in the centre. They knew their role ... the lure Arthur into the trap.
The spearmen prepared for a clash of arms and a hail of missiles. They formed shieldwall and plodded onward at a much reduced rate.
British archers tried to reduce Saxon numbers but to little avail. The British were losing too many units to hope for escape. If only Arthur could flee ... hope may spring again.
Arthur rode forth eager to cut his way out.
Germanic fierce foot in British pay descended from rough terrain to drive off Saxon skirmishers and inflict heavy casualties on the Saxons.
Despite their losses, the Saxons had units in important positions blocking the way to safety.
British cavalry alone were able to ride to safety ... including Arthur. The Saxon forces had been driven off from the centre of the table. Only two groups of fierce foot inhabited rough ground which guarded the approaches to the SW and NW corners. A hail of javelins would bring one such unit down and open a line of advance to safety. But only two cavalry forces could outpace the Saxon bowmen and ride away from this perfidious trap.
While the hero survived, the British forces - like the Saxons - were devastated. They would have to hope that a core of comitatus would be enough to remake their victorious warband. The Saxons would be emboldened - despite losing all their noblemen and leaders in the fray. In the proceeding months of British rebuilding more forces would arrive from over the waves.
Perhaps a jealous British king might step forward to command not just his forces but those of the invaders as well ... Arthur's position of dux may yet be challenged in his moment of weakness.
But Arthur and his core of warriors were not defeated ...
