Unrest in the Welsh Borders : Gruffydd ap Llewelyn 1052

After some WWII battles a return to the Dark Ages in the Dungeon. Gruffyd ap Llewelyn is generally known as one of the first Welsh Kings to rule albeit briefly over the whole of what is now Wales. These of course were difficult times and between the early 1050’s and his death in 1063 he fought many battles with other competing Welsh rivals and Anglo-Saxons from across the ‘border’. The good news for Wargamers is the Anglo-Saxons were often supported by mercenary Normans. We have previously played the Battle of Hereford.

However, having painted up quite a few more Celtic figures I wanted to get a smaller battle on the table, this is very loosely based around several battles which took place around Leominster. Gruffydd has been causing trouble and a significant Anglo-Saxon Lord perhaps one of the young Godwinson brothers has been sent with a force to put him in his place. The Welsh of course have set a trap !

The battlefield somewhere in the welsh borders, the Saxons having tracked Gruffydd to one of his village strongholds, have camped overnight before an attack. ThebSaxons are employing several units of Norman Mercenaries. They awaken to find Gruffydd with an apparently small force of welsh occupying Cross Hill on the opposite side of the valley, luckily the river is low so can be crossed and Godwinson immediately deploys for battle. What he is not aware of is Gruffydd has troops hidden in Lower Wood and on Copse Hill. These are ready to attack once the Saxons have been drawn across the valley. Further welsh reserves have been sent on a long overnight ride and will arrive at the Saxon camp if Cross Hill is threatened. (The Saxon commander knew of the potential for welsh reserves but not the location or timing). We set the Saxons three potential objectives, to capture Cross Hill, to Kill Gruffydd and or take the village.

Gruffydd and his small force on Cross Hill, the welsh warriors are fast moving and have a mix of throwing weapons but are lightly armed. Apart form a single unit of Gruffydds bodyguard or Teulu.

Godwinson with his Anglo Saxon army stretching across Ridge Hill, supported by Norman crossbowmen and infantry.

After an exchange of taunts and verbal abuse to two armies move closer together, the Welsh light cavalry moving towards the stream to contest any crossing

The bulk of the welsh infantry stay on Cross Hill

The Anglo Saxons move quickly towards the valley bottom

….and quickly surge across the stream under a hail of javelins, the cavalry pulls back but the lightly armed welsh infantry are all ready in combat towards the base of the hill and out matched

Unbeknownst to Godwinson his troops crossing the stream have triggered the planned welsh ambush, as the Saxon cavalry approach Lower Wood more welsh infantry appear and pelt them with missiles and stones

Welsh warriors also appear on Copse Hill

Saxon infantry continue to surge across the stream but now have to contend with the potential of two flank attacks

Some of the Saxons have been slow pushing forward past the Farm

The battle to take Cross Hill is hotting up

and the welsh lines are thinning out, it is touch and go whether the newly arrived  flank forces can impact the battle before Cross Hill is overrun

Just a nice shot 🙂

The Saxon Hurscarls are now pushing up the hill but they have Gruffydd’s bodyguard to deal with ?

This triggers the last welsh reinforcement another unit of light cavalry having been sent on a long flank ride arrives close to the Saxon camp.

Can the defence of the hill hold ?

A second battle is now taking place in Lower wood !

Some more Saxon infantry is now being diverted towards the main battle

and even more are pushing up the lower slopes !

There are now only two units holding the hill with Gruffydd 

And the two commanders are now engaged in hand to hand melee.

Eventually the leading Saxon Hurscarls are killed but there is a second unit and the bodyguard are weakened, what the Saxons can’t see is the large unit of welsh warriors coming up behind them !

The final Hurscarls are scattered and wiped out, caught between two units, the two commanders have fought each other to a standstill but a separate Saxon horde have broken through to capture the Cross.

Whilst there was still some fighting going on in Lower Wood, both armies were really exhausted at this stage having gone well beyond their nominal breaking point. There are slightly more Welsh left alive but that is no real justification for a victory. Having taken the Cross it goes to the Anglo-Saxons. Gruffydd will pull back to, the village.

 And fight another day. Godwinson doesn’t have enough troops to make this anything but a Pyrrhic victory.

A splendid battle so much fun, thanks to Steve for trusting my scenario, the ambush worked really well and created a very close battle right to the end. I do have two more Celtic units in the painting queue and some more light cavalry ….but that Will be enough.

Thanks for taking the time to pop by 😀 Matt