Cropredy Bridge : ECW 1644

Just back from a family wedding in Bristol this weekend and straight into a Monday game. Having visited Cropredy on my trip a month ago I thought it would make an interesting scenario. Historically the Royalists commanded by the King were on the back foot, Waller for the Parliamentarians had been chasing his army up and down around Oxford but unable to pin it down. Eventually the King moved north along the right bank of the River Cherwell the Parliamentary forces tracked them about a mile away on the left bank. When some additional horsemen were sighted ahead the Royalist Vanguard and main army hurried forward leaving the rearguard upto a mile behind. Waller sensed an opportunity and sought to force a crossing of the river at Cropredy Bridge itself and Slat Mill Ford. The king meanwhile was well ahead crossing a third bridge further north.

The map above gives a good overview of the battlefield which is nicely spreadout. Historically both forces were broadly equal in both cavalry and infantry, the Parliamentarians appeared to have slightly more artillery available although by the end of the day this had been captured. What is less clear is how many troops actually took place in the fighting it would appear almost none of the Royalist infantry was engaged at all. 

From my recent trip a shot north cross the fields from Cropredy Bridge itself, the Cherwell runs along in the trees to the left. The river is likely considerably narrower now due to the later construction of the canal nearby.

A shot lookingSW from the slightly higher ground down towards Slat Mill Ford. The battlefield was mainly open ground at the time.

Our set up, the Royalists to the right spreadout and to the left Waller’s army about to force the river. Given the difficult nature of river crossings in Wargames especially when numbers are equal I had a couple of extra rules to avoid a complete log jam. Firstly although the crossing would funnel troops they wouldn’t cause any delay, secondly to avoid the Royalists reacting too quickly each command, Vanguard, main and Rearguard for the Royalists and the king separately would have to dice before activation and moving off the road. On to the action using our amended Kings of War Rules.

Parliamentary cavalry surges across Slat Mill Ford, the Royalist rearguard luckily activated quickly and moves its cavalry to meet the threat. In the distance the Royalist dragoons holding Cropredy bridge can really only hold for one turn before they and run over 

After the initial clash the Parliamentry cavalry get the better of it but we have found these cavalry skirmishes can last quite a while giving time for the infantry to form up.

The casualties are mounting up on the cavalry with both sides starting to waiver. Independent musketeer units and dragoons can be seen fighting on the flanks.

With the dragoons pushed away the Parliamentry cavalry surge over the bridge, luckily some Royalist cavalry has activated and charges forward to stop the advance. But the main royalist infantry hasn’t yet activated and is still sitting on the road ! Breaking with history Waller sensibly sets up his railway on the left bank of the Cherwell.

Finally the Royalist main force activated and starts to move off the road from the village of Waddington

The village of Williamscot which will later see some fighting !

To the south both cavalry forces are almost blown, (you can see by the wound dice mounting up on both sides)

Eventually the Parliamentry cavalry win the day here in the south, but undeterred the Royalist rearguard infantry decide to charge forward before they are completely outnumbered

Royalist cavalry is reforming, the cavalry in the foreground are the kings lifeguard (I know they probably didn’t have armour but they are the best representation I have). having taken Williamscot the Royalists have take it back in hand to hand fighting. The royalist main infantry is now formed up and advancing but they come under the attention of the Parliamentry artillery across the river.

The the south Waller is winning the day but the parliamentary troops have taken a real beating and their cavalry is effectively blown.

The Parliamentry infantry starts to swing north only to see the Royalist main infantry force crash into their comrades near Cropredy bridge, what cavalry remains is still fighting around Williamscot 

There is fighting everywhere now but neither side has a clear advantage ?

The finally clash of cavalry late in the day around Williamscot sees the Parliamentry cavalry thrown back

The kings lifeguard make a final attempt to charge and break the Parliamentry right wing, in the centre the Royalist infantry advance is slowly grinding forward.

As evening falls across an extremely blood soaked battlefield, the Royalists are holding Williamscot and are closing on Cropredy bridge, pretty much all the troops left are battered and bloody and not capable of further action. A splendid battle and I know some of you don’t like it but after several minutes of discussion we were unable to split the two armies, a draw. On the basis that the king can escape to fight another day he can claim something at least, but he doesn’t have much of an army and Waller now doesn’t have a force with whoch to chase him. Great fun it felt like the battle was on. Knife edge the whole time 🙂

Prior to my trip to Oxford I had played a game over at Martins and don’t think I blogged it so for completeness here are a couple of shots. He had purchased a lovely collection of 10mm Schleswig-Holstein forces (German /Danish) conflict from mid 19th Century. Rather than a historical battle we got everything out for a battle……..

Both sides attempting to captured the various villages

Linear tactics akin to Crimea/ACW

We used V&F which worked well for this period

Plenty of fun especially as by German/Bavarian forces won the day 

That’s it for now although another battle planned for later in the week.

Thanks as always for checking in

Matt ❤️