Sunday 25 October 2020

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 😀


27 comments:

  1. Wow, great looking game (except for these poor crossbowmen !), and AWI units/figures!

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    1. Thanks Phil think the crossbows deserved it they have been a real trouble in the past games !

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  2. An action packed game and a most interesting account, Matt.
    Regards, James

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  3. Really like the look of your AWI stuff, be interesting to see their first action.

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    1. Thanks norm if the IT holds it should be this evening 👍

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  4. Matt, you always present such a fine looking game. A real treat every time. Your new troops are finished just in time to be blooded in battle. Hooray!

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    1. Many thanks Jon 👍 the curse of newly painted figures !

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  5. Splendid narrative and pics Matt, it really looked like Yusuf had it in the bag there. Al's chaps bounced back in the end though. Fine additions to the AWI collection it is building nicely.

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    1. Thanks Phil....not quite sure why Yusuf lost all three battles .....oh yes I know why ME !

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  6. Another splendind looking game and one full of action. Simply a pleasure to behold:)

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    1. You are very kind Steve hopefully someAWI action this evening 👍

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  7. Great looking game - "last stand of the crossbowmen" - Alfonso looks great, and the AWI commanders as well.

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    1. Thanks Dean....the cross bows will be back no doubt 😢

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  8. A splendid looking game Matt as always...
    It’s nice to know that Lion Rampant plays reasonably well as a ‘virtual’ game.

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thanks Aly think the secret with virtual games is keep it simple and fun👍

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  9. Lovely looking game and nice to hear it swung one side to the other! Your AWI stuff looks ace too!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain a good game and nice to completed the set. The AWI had a run out so will blog that soon 👍

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    1. Thanks Neil.....sometimes it is hard to tell which is which but then the three scenarios are part of one larger battle historically 😀

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  11. As expected a super visual treat of a game, and with just the right result too. The AWI collection is coming along nicely too Matt.

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    1. Thanks David.....it’s all colour in Al andalus the scenarios were fun but I would prefer something larger when the weather gets warmer. The AWI had a run out last night so will blog them soon 🙂

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  12. A lovely looking game, and quite the turnaround in fortunes. (Crossbowmen are a penny a dozen anyway...)

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    1. Thanks AJ one of those battles where it looked good then bad then good again before it suddenly fell apart. It was fun....especially killing those dreaded crossbowmen

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  13. Great AAR. Kinda cool to if gone through the trilogy.
    Nice looking AWI officers. I’ll have to check wargames foundry for my own mounted officers.
    Good luck with your AWI game. 😀

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    1. Thanks Stew,.....yes it was nice to complete the trio as they for a nice set and shows what can be achieved with some patience in the virtual gaming world. The WF figures are nice👍

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  14. Great stuff Matt, I sense an opening for future games :-)
    Cheers
    Stu

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