Battle reports thread - King of the Romans PBM

[econ21]

Edessa, 1236, Part II

Once word had reached Henry of Horst’s entry into the city, he had spurred on his main force towards the central gates. As Athalwulf had promised, agents opened the gates for the Germans and the Imperial army was able to spill into the walled city. Word of the disaster soon reached the Egyptians mustering in the centre of the Edessa, however, and enemy regiments of foot began racing towards the central gate.

Even in the dusk light, Kurt’s sharp eyes could make out the nature of the enemy:

“Three regiments of archers, Sire!”

Henry could not believe his luck and spurred on his bodyguard.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Henry leads his escort into the Egyptians packed along the main road to the city centre.

The fighting was brutal – the city streets were too narrow and the enemy too thick on the ground to allow Henry’s men to charge. Instead, there was a bitter struggle, as the veteran knights hacked into the enemy around them. In the crush, knights found themselves dragged from their horses. Gradually, the opposition stiffen as the Mamluk archers, Arab cavalry and Saracen militia began to reinforce the Egyptian archers unlucky enough to have formed the vanguard of the garrison.

Two fifths of Henry’s escort had been cut down when he heard a loud hurrah from behind the Egyptians massing against him. Horst had led his Teutons in an attack on the rear of the enemy blocking the entrance to the city centre.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Horst charges his men into the central melee, aiming to relieve the pressure on Henry. It is a brave, but foolish move.

Kurt looked on appalled, as he saw fresh regiments of Saracen militia moving up behind the Teutons from the city centre.

“Poor brave bastard.” Said the veteran warrior under his breath. But soon his attention had to be turned to the struggle immediately around him.The enemy archers and most of their cavalry were gradually slain. But that left the Imperial knights were now left fighting a tightly packed mass of Saracen spearmen.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

After prolonged fighting, Henry’s escort is down to a mere dozen men and Horst is the sole survivor of the brave Teutons from the eastern cavalry group.

Horst hacked at the enemies around him in fury, but it was no good. His brothers were all dead and he had mere seconds left to live. For the second time in his life, Horst felt certain he would not see another sunrise. The blow, when it came, was more agonising that any torment Kusan Dolar had inflicted on the Teuton. A Saracen spear cut depth into his lower side; hands grabbed at him and he was dragged to the ground. More spear points were thrust through his plate mail, feet kicked at him and a crowd engulfed his fallen body.

“He is mine! He is mine! Off him, get off! Can’t you see he is a noble? The Captain wants him for ransom! Do you defy your captain?”

A fierce Saracen sergeant had thrust his way into the kicking and stabbing crowd, protecting the wounded Teuton from a killing blow.

Horst looked up at his unlikely saviour as an enormous Mamluk Captain rode up:

“You fought bravely, Teuton,” said the Mamluk. Horst would later learn that this was Captain Fathy, commander of the Edessa garrison. “As does your Kaiser.” continued the Captain – pointing in the distance to the last of the Imperial knights battling the Saracen militia.

“You must forgive me, Teuton, but I have things to attend to. Sergeant: see put him in one of these houses by the street. Tell the occupants they will answer to me for his treatment.” With that the Captain rode off alone down a side street. Horst would later learn that Captain Fathy would single handedly duel the Horst’s entire regiment of mounted sergeants, slaying most of their number during the battle.