Viking Raid on Seville 844 : Al Andalus

In a random moment whilst searching through the internet (as you do) I came across a number references to the Vikings raiding and invading the Iberian peninsula between 700 and 1000 AD. This got me thinking that a series of small linked skirmish games played during lockdown would be perfect to represent these raids and give me the opportunity to get my Vikings fighting my Al Andalus collection. Raids at different time impacted the Christian and Muslim states.

For our first ‘mini campaign’ I picked the raid on Seville recorded in 844. The Vikings appear on many occasions to have started from France, then worked their way south along the coast. On this occasion they caught the Muslim forces of Abd ar-Rahman II by surprise, raiding inland and eventually sacking Seville at the time known as Isbiliya. At this time much of southern Iberian peninsula formed part of the Umayyad controlled Caliphate.

Unfortunately the name of the Viking Warlord/Jarl is not recorded in history but according to wiki they were likely to be allies of Bjorn Ironside the son of Ragnor. So we made our own Jarl Ragnor Wolfsbane to lead the raid. Rahman sent Isa ibn Shuhayd to push the raiders back into the sea.

Scenario1 : The Landing

Using Lion/Dragon Rampant the first scenario is a 32 point battle. There are three objectives represented by small enclosed fields/paddocks. The vikings will naturally start from their longboats. Each of the objectives is already being held by a small group of ‘villagers’ (bidowers/scouts in the rulebooks) these are weak but may act as a roadblock before the rest of the Muslim army lead by Isa ibn Shuhayd comes on from the rear. Unfortunately due to the surprise attack his force is not a strong one consisting of light infantry, more villagers and a unit of poorly armed slaves. He does at least have he mounted bodyguard with him.

Jarl Ragnar lands in his boat, all Viking units will come on from the same boat (as I only have one !)

The three objectives can be seen across the battlefield, each held by a small group of villagers. In the distance the Umayyad reinforcements can be seen arriving

Some good rolling early on sees the Viking force disembark quickly and spread out

Ragnar Wolfsbane himself (wearing his wolf pelt must be very hot !) leads his Hirdmen ashore some of his ‘lighter’ troops are sent forward to capture the first objective

Umayyad reinforcements arrive mainly light infantry 

A single throw of their spears and the vikings have chased off the first villagers the light infantry who have now reached the paddock seem reluctant to rush forward....could be the smell of the Vikings who have been on their boats for some time ?

...but it is safer behind walls 

Finally the commanders mounted bodyguard arrive they are impetuous to charge into combat, unlike the slaves who repeated fail to move....why would you

More Viking warriors approach the second objective but come under missile/arrow fire and pull back 

Things are hotting up in the centre, the light infantry wont hold for long

They are pushed back but Jarl Ragnor sends forward his elite Hirdmen who are charged by the Umayyad heavy cavalry this quickly becomes a fight to the death 

More viking Hirdmen are moving around the centre and ibn Shuhayd himself must charge in to secure the line

Mustering their courage the warriors have another go ..but are pushed back again

The centre is lost to the marauders but shaken by the cavalry the Hirdmen pull back exhausted, stern words here from the Jarl

Despite coming under short range arrow fire the Muslim infantry hold the paddock on the left

So as the battle reaches its decisive phase it is one objective each

Suddenly the Jarl turns his attention to the third objective and he and his bodyguard run to capture the goat field

Ibn Shuhayd manages to clear the central objective

But the vikings will be eating goat for supper ...........(actually think they are sheep)

Chased back to the boats....a fitting end.

We judged the battle a draw in the end an objective each and nobody left to claim the centre where there would have been a lot of dead bodies. A good start to the campaign, it initially looked like the vikings were running away with it but the light Arab infantry fought back. The second battle sees the viking sack the city of Seville itself. Apparently at this point no city wall had been built but the viking never took the citadel so the battle will focus on the pillage and burning of the city itself.

Tanks for taking the time to pop in......... i have some other stuff to post later. For those desperate to see more cycling photos a shot from a few days ago before it got really hot and sunny Northern Fells in the background