Battle of Sagrajas Part 3 : Al Andalus

We managed to play the third and probably for now final scenario in the Sagrajas trilogy. With 2 two strong victories for the Christians under Alfonso things have not been going well for Yusuf ibn Tashfin. The background to the battle can be found here on the first post. https://wargamesinthedungeon.blogspot.com/2020/08/battle-of-sagrajas-al-andalus-part-1.html

For this third scenario the Christians have already captured and over run the Muslim camp. As the Almoravids regroup Alfonso is overwhelmed and forced to retreat when his is outflanked by Arab cavalry. To represent this using Lion Rampant (and this was a virtual game which makes things slightly more complex) the Christian forces are set up in the Arab camp they must make it across the board to safety. Yusuf’s forces will come on either behind them through the camp or from either flank for his cavalry units. The Christian knights will be hard to control as they are ‘drunk’ on their victory to date and likely to charge at anything (wild charge!)

The Muslim camp in flames, in the middle of the battlefield Alfonso’s knights are galloping away to the left, in the foreground the first Arab horsemen attack from the flank

Almoravid infantry also swarm in from behind the camp intent of revenge

One unit of Christian cavalry has been distracted and is being surrounded

Christian crossbowmen who have been devastating in previous battles are caught raiding the camp and pinned against the tents

Arab light hose in the distance attempt to delay the escape whilst Alfonso sensing the danger starts his retreat

The crossbowmen are trapped and pinned !

Things are going well for Yusuf although he has been weakened by the fighting

The Arab cavalry is spreading out and chasing the enemy across the battlefield

Another unit of knights are forced to turn and charge back into combat rather than escape

Alfonso leading his infantry

....but suddenly the Muslim cavalry is starting to lose its advantage as the remained of the Christian forces put up a stout defence and then start to attack 

Only caring for his own skin Alfonso gallops away !

The tables are turned and suddenly with the rest of the Arab cavalry having fled the Christian knights turn on the light Almoravid infantry and that doesn’t go well for the Muslims

The final nail is when Yusuf ibn Tashfin fails a morale check and as he flees the Muslim army collapses

So we have played all three of the scenarios from the original article and all have been fun, interesting and challenging, history has not been repeated as Alfonso escaped without being wounded. All the games were played virtually and worked at a fairly small skirmish scale using lion Rampant. I think perhaps next we might see the Vikings back in Al Andalus ? 

I have also managed some painting this week, in preparation for finally getting the AWI figures into a small skirmish I needed some commanders and to liven things up an artillery piece. 

These are Perry figures and were partly painting when I got them so just needed finishing and basing

Two Wargames Foundry officers, I have painted them in fairly generic uniforms and are on Brigade commander sized bases. They are lovely figures and having order two packs I have enough for other command bases as well.

That’s all for now hope you are all ok 😀