Bern, 1118
It was a cold and crisp day at Bern, and soft flakes of snow were gently falling. Inside the stone castle, Sigismund shivered as he mounted his horse.
Outside of those gates were over 700 Milanese wanting to kill him. And not only kill him, but also every single man that fought with him.
He sighed as addressed his men.
“Soldiers, we are going to sally forth and utterly drive the Milanese back into the plains of Lombardy.
Do not be dismayed by their numbers men; I have good news for you men. Otto von Kassel and 60 knights are only a few miles distant.”
Sigismund smiled at the cheering of his men. They were an eager lot, and he felt confident that they would be victorious – if von Kassel arrived in time.
Sigismund organised his men to sally out of the gates. He would lead the sally, with the Spear Militia directly following him. Behind them stood the Sergeant Speamen, more experienced soldiers than the milita in front of them. In the vanguard stood the Mailed Knights followed by the Mounted Sergeants. Sigismund placed the Peasant Archers on the walls.
A shout came from the captain of the archers. “My lord Count Sigismund, the Milanese are within bowshot! Shall we fire upon them?”
Sigismund smiled to himself, “Yes, and let each arrow tell.”
Meanwhile, Otto von Kassel and his knights were riding at full pace through a pine forest near Bern.
“Faster noble sirs”, shouted Otto, “we must assist Count Sigismund in his sally.”
Back at Bern, Sigismund gave the order, “Open the portcullis, we sally forth.”
The portcullis creaked as it was slowly raised.
Sigismund nudged his horse and he and his retainers issued forth out off the castle.
“Follow me, men,” commanded Sigismund.
The spearmen and horsemen followed Count Sigismund and issued from the Castle.
As Sigismund and his retainers exited from the gatehouse, the Milanese archers rushed forward to shower the issuing Germans with arrows.
Sigismund called to his retainers, “Follow me, and let us teach these peasants that their arrows are no good against German valour.”
So saying, Sigismund kicked his spurs into his horse and rushed towards the enemy.
Lowering their lances, Sgismund's retainers made short work of the Milanese archers who dared fire upon their lord.
Meanwhile, Otto von Kassel and his knights had reached the monastery of St. Boniface, on the outskirts of Bern.
I can see Count Sigismund and his men, exclaimed
Sigismund had lined his men up for battle, and he was surprised that the Milanese had made no attempt to hinder him from doing so.
He glanced anxiously to the west, and to his delight he saw Otto von Kassel and his knights atop the hill of the monastery.
Exhorting his men, Sigismund exclaimed, “Mein soldiers, see that banner to the west? That is von Kassel and his knights!”
The soldiers cheered heartily at the sight, and charged at their opposing line of Milanese spearmen.
At the monastery of St. Boniface, Otto von Kassel's retainers and his accompanying knights were feeding their horses at the monastery's stables. Otto von Kassel was talking to the abbot about the strength of the Milanese.
“Von Kassel!” shouted Rupert von Aachan, a knight of Otto's train, “The battle has begun!”
Otto von Kassel rushed our holding a large sausage in one hand and a mug of beer in the other.
“Hurry!” mumbled von Kassel, as he skulled his beer and snatched a bite of his sausage, “Mount your horses!”
It took a few minutes for the confusion to cease, and finally the knights were on their mounts.
Otto addressed his knights and retainers, “Men, we just took that castle. It was paid for in Imperial blood and I'll be damned if we let those merchant schwein take it from us! Sigismund is the anvil and we are the hammer! Charge into their rear and flanks and scatter them! Ride them down without mercy, so that the few fortunate bastards who survive will spread fear of the Reich and its soldiers among their countrymen! Forward!"
Back at the scene of the battle, the Milanese spearmen countercharged the Imperials, and a bitter fight ensued.
Sigismund exhorted his men to keep firm and not to break ranks. “Gut soldiers of the Reich, when the Kaiser hears off how you fight today, he will hear of one or two things. Either he will how you good Swabians and Bavarians fought like lions and sallied forth against the might of Milan, or he will hear how you fled as cowards from the foe!”
Inspired by Sigismund's words, the spearmen exerted themselves to the uttermost, but even so a few could not help but cast aside their weapons and flee.
Otto's retainers and knights left the abbey witht the monks praying for an Imperial victory.
“Faster, my sirs, faster!” cried von Kassel to his men.
The knights that accompanied von Kassel were the first to reach the enemy, and they charged fearlessly into the right flank of the Milanese spearmen.
Meanwhile, Sigismund and his retainers were engaging the Milanese reserve. They were most obstinate in their resistance to the Count.
Finally, they saw the hoplesness of their situation, most threw themselves at the mercy of Count Sigismund. A few, however, attempted to escape with their captain, Francesco.
The remaining Milanese now fled, each attempting elude the swords of the Imperial cavalry. Count Sigsimund, however, commanded that only the flat of their swords were to be used, and that no futher blood should be shed, instead ordering the knights and sergeants to bring the Milanese back as prisoners.
Captain Francesco was the last prisoner to be taken. He was finally tracked down, and received a sword blow to his head, knocking him unconscious.
When he was finally brought round, he was looking into the kind eyes of Count Sigismund.
“You fought well, mein freund, but I am glad that it was I who was the victor. You and your remaining men are free to leave unharmed and with their weapons. Consider it a kind gesture on my part.”
The Italian was stupified. He was expecting to be killed, or at the very least held for ransom.
“I thank you, Count Sigismund, he said, I shall tell of your generosity and chivalry to my lords. I am humble to receive such a favour and praise from an enemy of mine.”
As the Milanese were marching off, Sigsimund said to von Kassel, "Go back and fetch your sausage, and then come and join me in the keep."
Re: Battle reports thread - King of the Romans PBM
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