Al Andalus 1020 : A border dispute (plus Dark age reinforcements)

With the newly painted Arab cavalry we had an opportunity to play another battle in my Al Andalus setting and make both forces more mobile. The independent taifas of Murcia and Denia were located in the SE corner of Al Andalus and during the early 11th Century Denia especially was seeking to expand.

Under the leadership of  Mujahid al Amiri believed to be an ex slave of Slavic origin Denia was especially aggressive. Having conquered a number of islands in the early part of the century he turned his attention to neighbouring states. Our small battle represents one such probe on the border with Murcia ruled at the time by Ibn Tahir. Both forces are light and mobile befitting such a border encounter.

Freshly trained Murcia cavalry leads the way, their objective to capture the two river crossings. The river is fast flowing at this part of the border and unsafe to cross except at the bridge or the Ford.

Al Amiri’ s infantry have already captured the bridge and the Denian light cavalry is fanning out as a screen

More light infantry approach on the Denian left flank

The Denia have also employed mercenary camels, powerful creatures but susceptible to getting carried away (using lion rampant these camels are classed as Heavy cavalry with the wild charge rule)

A wider view of the Denian force

and the Murcia force

Fighting is already taking place on the right where the advanced cavalry has clashed

The Light cavalry is forced to retreat

The Murcian general has advanced to the Ford with his bodyguard intent on securing the objective

More light infantry advances towards the bridge to contest it

Colourful mercenary archers

Whilst the initial cavalry has been forced back a second wave is pushing forward

Finally the second unit of Denian Camels arrives, the battle became fast and furious at this stage. With significant losses on both sides

But gradually the  Murcian force is pushed back to the Ford. At this point the battle ended, one objective each but a victory for Mujahid al Amiri have inflicted more casualties.

As always a fun game, part of my attraction to the period is the colour and variety of forces, the ability to mix units and mercenaries, such flexibility. Worryingly i do have even more Arab cavalry to paint.

So to the new Dark age figures. I have been planning a refight of Hastings for some time and have completed several units, this has expanded slightly and I hope to play both Stamford Bridge and Hastings this weekend. 

These are the latest Saxons to be completed for the project

And I needed some more command figures, this gent with probably be the Breton commander for Hastings

Other Gripping beast figures I picked up last weekend have been rushed through painting, Harold Hardradda

Harold Godwinson king of England but for how long

A better Duke William command base, he isn’t an official William figure but from a Foundry command pack

Have been setting stuff up and here are a couple of pleasing shots of the Saxon army

You can almost hear the crashing of swords on shields in preparation for battle

All being well two games lots of photos and Harold Godwinson safely on the throne ?