Capítulo VII Del Tianguis artesanal
TÍTULO QUINTO De la prestación de servicios
Early 1644 saw two old friends, Lord Ralph Hopton, for the King, and Sir William Waller, for Parliament, commanding in wintry weather around Winchester, south west of Lon- don. Sieges, raids and skirmishes followed as both sparred for advantage. Hopton had been reinforced by Lord Forth, an apparently sprightly octogenarian, who assumed nomi- nal command. Posted in a strong position near Cheriton Woods on the night of 28 March, Hopton’s scouts report- ed Waller’s baggage moving away. Their report was ac- curate, but not the whole story. Waller had done his own reconnaissance and decided to attack at dawn!
Deployment at the Battle of Newbury (the green dots represent hedges).
Ironsides. © P e r r y M i n i a t u r e s
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Waller opened the battle by sending the London Trained Bands to seize Cheriton Woods, while the re- mainder of his men occupied the South Ridge. Hop- ton responded by sending musketeers into the woods, and this position changed hands several times over the next few hours. In the meantime, Hopton stood in a strong position along the northern ridge. At some point, one of the Royalist regiments (possibly Bard’s but accounts differ) attacked on its own initiative and a more general engagement followed as both sides fed reinforcements into the action. Some of the Royalists were trapped in a steep sided lane where they were outflanked and taken. In the confused action that fol- lowed, Parliamentarian numbers began to tell. The el- derly Lord Forth, professional to the end, organized a rearguard and covered the Royalist retreat. Waller had secured a significant victory which required both sides to rethink their plans for 1644.
This game plays well on an 8’x4’ table, or slightly wider. The battlefield features two low ridges which meet at a “V” at a large wooded plateau – Cheriton Woods. The western part of the battlefield is lower and
more open, and you may represent the small village of Cheriton and the River Itchen to the west of the bat- tlefield. A few hedges and enclosures should break up otherwise open ground between the ridges. The ridges themselves offer the normal benefits to a defender of being uphill, but are gentle slopes.
Deployment
The tables show the armies used at Little Wars. If you select armies to a points value, Parliament receives 10% extra. Waller should not field more than 2 veteran or equivalent units, while the Royalists can chose up to 4 veteran cavalry units.
For Little Wars all figures were on the table at the start. If you have more time, set up the Royalists first, then Parliament. To represent the thick mist, if Lisle withdraws, Parliament may deploy just commander figures. These move as infantry until the end of move 3 (when the mist clears) or come within 15” of an enemy unit when their entire command must be de- ployed both within 12” of the general figure and no closer than 8” to the enemy.
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Special rules
Place objective markers in the center of Cheriton Woods, the North Ridge, and the valley between the South and North Ridges. Objective markers do not move and are controlled by the last not-broken unit to move over them. Lisle’s outpost. Hopton has an immediate decision to make:
• Withdraw – Lisle’s troops are immediately moved
to Hopton or Smith’s deployment area and Parlia- ment may advance each of its commands by up to 12+D6 inches and unlimber artillery. Parliament then takes the first turn.
• Hold – The battle commences with a Royalist turn,
in which only Lisle’s troops may take an action.
Deplyoment at the Battle of Cheriton ( the green dots represent hedges).
Place an additional commander to represent Lisle. Lisle uses Hopton’s action cards until removed. Lisle is removed if both his units are destroyed, or when Hopton wishes. After the special Lisle only turn, Parliament takes its turn.
Cheriton Woods were used by both sides to outflank and surprise their enemies. To allow for this, in addition to your normal rules for woods, the following applies: If there are no enemies in the woods, a unit of foot marching through them may move at full speed and then make a second move on a D6 roll of 4,5 or 6 – perhaps they found an unguarded path.
Artillery may bombard in range enemy units anywhere in the woods. The target receives the usual benefits of cover. If there are any friends in the woods at the time of this bombardment, however, you hit your friends in- stead on a “to hit” die-roll of a 1!
“Lane of Disaster” – During the battle, Royalist horse charged repeatedly down a narrow hedged lane to their doom. For some reason, it is surprisingly difficult to force players to repeat this tactic! The following takes an indirect approach:
Place a few hedges in the area between the ridges. This hinders formations moving across the table and creates opportunities for enfilade without bogging down the ac- tion too much. Once during the game, at the start of a Par- liamentarian turn, Waller may nominate a Royalist unit to make an uncontrolled attack. Roll a D6. On a 4+ the unit Dismounted dragoons skirmish with the enemy.
© P e r r y M i n i a t u r e s
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immediately makes a full charge move directly towards the
immediately makes a full charge move directly towards the
nearest enemy. Resolve a melee if needed. If the unit does
nearest enemy. Resolve a melee if needed. If the unit does
not move (on a 3 or less) Waller may pick the same or an-
not move (on a 3 or less) Waller may pick the same or an-
other unit the next Royalist turn until
other unit the next Royalist turn until he succeeds or passes.he succeeds or passes.
Victory
Victory
Either side wins a decisive victory by breaking the
Either side wins a decisive victory by breaking the
enemy army before nightfall. If neither breaks, con-
enemy army before nightfall. If neither breaks, con-
trol of two or more of the three objective markers
trol of two or more of the three objective markers
determines the winner.
determines the winner. WS&SWS&S
Playing English Civil War (ECW) in the
Playing English Civil War (ECW) in the US is always fun.US is always fun.
This is a less frequently seen yet colorful period which
This is a less frequently seen yet colorful period which
gener
generated a surplus of enthusiastic particated a surplus of enthusiastic participants. I hopeipants. I hope
you ha
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