My freind and Test of Resolves rules co-author, Tim Couper asked me if I'd like to playtest their scenario for Poitier, which will be in their second scenario book for the Hundred Years War, and I agreed.
Close up of the English defensive position
Potential English flanking force under the Gascon, Captal de Burch
The French 1st wave.
All the forces on the field... except
The French 2nd wave!
Nice setup Peter. It will be interesting to see whether the French can overcome that defensive position as it looks quite solid.
ReplyDeleteWe'll see!
DeleteI am not familiar with Poitiers, is it a similar battle to Agincourt and Crecy? It certainly looks tactically very much the same sort if thing!
ReplyDeleteYes, one of the three, great "Longbow Victories" of the HYW.
DeleteSuper looking table and miniatures, hard to see how the French will win but should be interesting to see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. We will see!
DeleteNice to see an interesting array of figure ranges on the table. Obviously, I don't know the interpretation the rules have made of the French in particular but was surprised to see quite so many cavalry. In terms of the question about Agincourt and Crecy, superficially similar (French attack English in defensive position) but quite a few differences to make them distinctive refight challenges. Poitiers has probably the best defensive position for the English but they are caught changing position and their left wing is actually partly crossing the river that runs down the right table edge (as you look at the photo). So, the key for them is to re-establish their position quicker than the French can exploit their vulnerability, which historically they did. The English performance in this battle probably shows the best generalship of the three, because they do have to adapt and think on their feet.
ReplyDeleteThe bulk of the French fought dismounted, as you note; only the two lead units will actually fight mounted, all the other will count as dismounted. After the first French wave is defeated (highly likely), the scenario gives the English a couple of different options on how the fest of the battle goes!
DeleteGood looking set up,excellent looking figures and flags, I was looking at my almost complete 25mm early 100 years war armies from the 1980s and thinking , I really should finish these up, this post might push me over the edge!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
If it motivates you to finish your HYW forces, that will be a success right there! :-)
DeleteLooking good. I await your report with anticipation.
ReplyDeleteThanks Richard; action Sunday!
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ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to your report on the battle Peter. One thing that is often overlooked is that the Black Prince commanded an Anglo-Gascon army rather than a purely English one.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Gascons were an important component of the "English" army for this one!
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