Battle reports thread - King of the Romans PBM

[econ21]

Edessa, 1236, Part I

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Henry’s army is heavy in missiles and cavalry – not the best troops for storming a well defended settlement.

“I am supposed to attack a city garrison of 1300 men with three regiments of foot?” Henry fumed.

Kurt looked down, avoiding the eyes of his furious Kaiser.

“Where the @#$% is Elberhard?!” Henry roared.

So that’s where he gets it from, Kurt thought, remembering the foul tongue of the young Prince.

“Elberhard is some way back, your majesty, with the baggage train.”

“What men does he have?”

“Four regiments of foot, Sire.” Kurt said, embarrassedly, closing his ears to a new barrage of expletives from the Kaiser.

“Can we bring some of them up to help us?”

“No, Sire – they have spotted a force of Egyptians in the field. They cannot safely move.”

Henry shook his head.

“OK, so how do we do this?”

“Athalwulf has infiltrated some men into Edessa. They should be able to open the gates for us.”

Henry rubbed his forehead: “Making a run for it, trying to bludgeon our way even through open gates does not sound like a sensible tactic. The garrison has many Saracen spearmen and archers – they would pin us by the gates and shoot us down as we stood.”

Kurt volunteered: “Athalwulf suggests we wait for dusk. As we lack siege engines, the garrison will be at their ease. Most of the guards will be in their barracks, eating and saying prayers.”

“Very well – we will try that. Tell every man to hold position. If the enemy lowers its guard, we will strike. We do not have enough infantry to attack in strength at more than one point. The main army will stay with me outside the front gate. Send two regiments of horse to cover the east and west gates. Horst can lead the western force. They are to move in if our spies signal the way is unopposed.”

Kurt nodded. He had no idea if the Egyptians really would abandon the walls as Athalwulf promised, but they had little to lose by holding in place. Fighting their way under fire from the battlements would be murder, whether attempted quickly or at leisure.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Henry’s army waits as the defenders leave the walls, heading off for supper and evening prayers.

*****

Horst waited patiently for a signal from Athalwulf. He had been given a regiment of his brother Teutons to command, along with one of mounted sergeants. His orders were to get inside the city when the signal came and to raise hell with the infidels. His scarred hands tightened on the reigns – this was what he lived for.

There was a minor commotion in the ranks and an old man appeared, dressed in civilian clothes. An Arab scout was leading the aged Egyptian.

“Captain, he says he has a message from Athalwulf." translated the scout. "He says the time is now. And that the garrison are sending some catapults to bombard us.”

Horst smiled – this was better than he had expected. “You hear that, boys? The Egyptians are sending their artillery to greet us! It would be rude to keep them waiting!”

With that, the Teutons and mounted sergeants began racing for the eastern gates.

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Horst leads the eastern cavalry group into Edessa.

Once inside the city walls, Horst’s men quickly found two batteries of catapults making their way east. The Teutons hacked into one; the mounted sergeants attacked the other. The battle was too easy, but suddenly Horst looked up and was surprised to see a regiment of Mamluk archers riding to the assistance of the artillerymen.

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Mamluks reinforce the catapult crews being overrun by Horst’s Teutons.

Horst had ridden with Henry long enough to have developed a healthy respect for the Mamluks – the elite soldiers of the Egyptian army. This is going to be a stiff fight, thought Horst grimly. But then, as suddenly as the Mamluks had appeared, they were gone. Horst looked around puzzled, but then heard a faraway cry of battle. Henry was through the frontal gates and the Mamluks were responding to that, more serious threat.

[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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

[econ21]

Edessa, 1236, Part III

The battle settled into a war of attrition. When only three of Henry’s escort remained, Kurt prevailed on the Kaiser to withdraw and let the crusader sergeants take his place in the struggle for the central road to the city. Two regiments of Saracen militia made their way around the flanks of the Imperial main force. One was caught between the single regiment of dismounted feudal knights and Horst’s mounted sergeants, and destroyed. The other appeared as if from nowhere on the battlements on the west of the city. At first, Henry ordered the pavise crossbowmen manning the captured battlements to retreat but then he noticed they were holding their own against the Egyptians. Consequently, they were ordered to hold their ground while the dismounted knights puffed their way from the east and mounted the battlements behind the Saracens, surrounding and destroying them.

The battle was now swinging in favour of the Imperials. The five regiments of crossbowmen and archers were able to fire over the heads of the crusader sergeants into the Egyptians massing along the main city route. Although Horst’s cavalry group was almost eliminated, the western cavalry group was able to enter the city unopposed, butchering the remaining Egyptian artillery. Slowly, the Saracens blocking the entrance to the city centre were worn down, with the arrival of the German dismounted knights driving back the survivors.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Germans make their way to the centre of Edessa, but still facing four strong regiments of Saracen militia.

Kurt and Henry approach the final stage of the battle patiently, like hunters stalking a dangerous wounded prey. The modest number of Imperial foot was aligned in front of the enemy as a shield, while the crossbowmen and Armenian archers fired volleys over their heads into the remaining Saracen defenders. A larcenous German sergeant found Horst lying bleeding in a house off the main street and he was brought before Henry. Henry heard admiring of the chivalry of Captain Fathy. But the discussion was interrupted by a young rider from Horst’s mounted sergeants, who told in horror of how his regiment was being dismembered by an indestructible giant Mamluk.

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The indomitable Captain Fathy carves through the mounted sergeants (for the third time that day!).

Henry’s eyes lit up – his escort was all but eliminated and could play no sensible role in battling the hundreds of Saracen spearmen still stoutly defending the city centre. But he personally could ride to the aide of his sergeants.

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Henry seeks out Captain Fathy.

The slow moving barded Imperial horses were no match for the agility of Fathy’s Arabian mount and the Egyptian Captain effortlessly evaded Henry and his few surviving bodyguards. The brave Captain charged back into the mounted sergeants, like a fox running amok in a chicken coop. Finally, Henry and his men caught up with the enemy general. With a well judged blow, Kurt slew the fearsome Egyptian, who fell among the many German sergeants lying dead around him.

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Kurt Altman finally brings down the Henry seeks out the heroic Captain Fathy.

The noose around the neck of the brave Egyptian defenders was tightening ever further. The Teutonic and Feudal knights of the western cavalry group launched repeated charges on the rear and flanks of the Saracen militia holding the city centre. Henry himself charged bravely into the mass of enemy spears, as if heedless of the danger. The Egyptians fought on bravely, never routing or surrendering, but dying to a man.

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The Saracens are finally overwhelmed.

*****

Henry had lost a full third of his force, including Horst’s entire regiment of Teutons. The crusader and armoured sergeants were so depleted in number, they ceased to be effective combat units.

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The butcher’s bill (fought at 2:1 odds).

Henry ordered Kurt to estimate the enemy casualties – trying to ascertain how many were slain by archery, by cavalry or by the Imperial foot. As Henry expected, it was his three regiments of foot that had been most effective – accounting for 425 of the enemy losses. More than half of these were claimed by the single regiment of dismounted knights. The five regiments of cavalry – including Henry’s own, now eliminated, escort – had accounted for only 247 of the enemy casualties; while the five regiments of crossbowmen and archers claimed 175.

“Maybe I should propose a constitutional amendment that all siege forces include adequate numbers of foot.” Henry grumbled.

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Dismounted foot knights excel at urban combat.

Faced with the choice of what to do with the large city, Henry ordered it merely occupied. In recognition of Edessa’s brave fallen captain, the Imperial army was given stern instructions not to loot or massacre innocents.

After the battle, Athelwulf sought out Henry and presented him with a sacred relic discovered in the city – an icon not made by hands, sent from Jesus to heal the King of Edessa.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A holy relic is discovered on occupying Edessa.

Mindful of the plague now raging in the Antioch, Henry gave thanks for this divine gift and then passed it to his son Elberhard for safekeeping. Together, father and son drove off the final two Egyptian armies from the province. The kingdom of Outremer was now complete.

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The butcher’s bill, addendum: battle fought at 20:9 odds

[Stig]

Near Thorn, 1238


It would have been a nice winterday in the fields in East Prussia, would it not have been that two armies had chosen this ground as their field of battle. A vast Russian army had crossed the borders of the province of Prussia-Thorn, belonging to the Holy Roman Empire, and chancellor Hans had ordered a small Franconian army to march against it. And even though the Franconians would be outnumbered 2 to 3 they decided that this was the best that they could do.
When scouts spotted the Russian army however they quickly saw that it lacked strenght and was mainly made up of levy's, apart from its regiment of Druzhina, but even these did not match up against the Teutonic and Mailed Knights in the Franconian army. The battlefield however was not in favour of the Franconians, it was a small forest, ideal for command with light skirmishers, and just the thing that the heavy knights did not like.
Thus Ansehelm von Kastillien, count of Thorn decided do deploy his little but strong force on a small hill just of the road and away from the dangerous forest, which might be full of ambushes.

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Well aware of the dangers lurking in the forest, and knowing the incapablity of his knights to fight in forests he moved his army to the right of the battle field in order to avoid the forest and move onto the enemy from one flank, forcing him make a turn while under arrow fire.

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Not soon after Ansehelm moved his army into position he ordered his missile units to open fire on the enemy ranks.

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The enemy however disregarded the punishment it was getting and decided to stay where he was. Inspired by his early success Ansehelm decided to send in his regiment of Mounted Sergeants to destroy the now almost destroyed unit of Boyar Sons.

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This bold move however was the signal for the enemy general to attack and he quickly moved in his forces. Now however the Franconians quickly took the advantage. The Spear Militia regiments were no match for the battle-hardened Franconian footknights and walked into a massacre. Ansehelm quickly ordered his father Günther to take the Teutons and the Mailed Knights and to swing around the enemies left flank, in order to attack from behind. At the sight of this show of force the enemy infantry regiments quickly started to rout, while the remaining men, who where still willing to fight fled into the woods.

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The battle was already lost for the Russian though, the Druzhina's had sacrificied themselves in a hope to save the battle but this did not help. Ansehelm himself, together with the Mailed Knights, led the charge into the forest and quickly the Crossbow Militia regiments started to rout. After Günther enprisoned almost an entire regiment of Crossbowmen he too turned and charged into the forest hoping there would be something left for him.
He was too late however, as the Russians had already decided to flee from the field and the Teuton and Mailed Knights made short work of the men who tried to flee and enprisoned them.

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Ansehelm won himself his third battle, an easy victory, given the fact that his men were far better than the ill-fated Russians.

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Ansehelm however was left with loads of prisoners, and because he did not want these men to return to Russia, which seemed a wealthy country he orded the prisoners to be executed, to teach these Russians a lesson: Do not even try to enter the Holy Roman Empire

[TevashSzat]

Northwest of Paris, 1240

The French had just recently pulled away from their siege of Paris in which Duke Scherer was at in order to prepare for the incoming English threat.

The Duke was not in a good mood having been cooped up in an overcrowded city lacking the technology he was used to back home deep in the Reich.

As an act of retribution, the Duke decided to take some of his forces and attack the nearest French army. When he heard news from his scouts, his reaction was mixed. The army in front of him was battle heartened with every man trained under real military conditions with no militia members.

The Duke however had a ragtag army of subpar troops with most of his House Army still away for retraining. The only elite troops the Duke had were his trusty Imperial Knights and his Pavise crossbowmen.

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As the battle started, he ordered his bodygaurds and his cavalry to hide in some nearby trees. The French only seeing a weak infantry line before them thought it was going to be an easy victory and began to charge. The Duke's elite crossbowmen though made the French pay and took out many French soldiers in their first two volley before falling back behind the infantry line.

The French still weren't deterred and everything seem to be going well for them for the Duke's infantry line was slowly but surely breaking. Suddenly, the Duke and his whole cavalry force charged from behind instantly crushing scores of soldiers. The others confused from the charge suddenly believed a huge force was upon them and fled.

OOC: I forgot to take a battle screen, but I had a heroic victory with 217 casualties on my side and I killed 200 soldiers while capturing 305.

Being merciful, the Duke offered the nearby French castle of Caen their troops in exchange for a hefty ransom and to his surprise, the French accepted and he let the captured go.

[AussieGiant]

1240; Austrian Hungarian Border

Arnold paced the rug in his command tent. Sunset outside meant that in a few hours the attack would begin.

This was his first real action as army commander and the horrors of Durazzo flashed through his mind briefly. Arnold wondered if every battle would be as gore filled as his first under the walls of the southern city now occupied by the Papal States.

At least there were no Roman Nobles to get killed he thought…that was a positive.

Being cooped up in this self made fort was certainly not the plan when they made it all those months ago. At the time is seemed a prudent plan but the Hungarians had rapidly deployed two smaller armies to block and surround him.

Of course the Hungarian’s had thought they had the upper hand by hiding a second force to the north, but, Arnold realised that neither Hungarian Captain knew he would be able to attack at night.

He remembered how his father showed him the art of teaching his Regimental Captains how to fight effectively at night. Hours upon hours of planning and repetition had gone into this attack. At the time of building the fort he had made sure all the captains had walked the terrain until they had memorised every tree and hill.

The past day he had spent drilling them until each Captain could physical move his unit by memory on the simulated battle map he has made in the forts centre.

Now it was simply a matter of waiting until darkness fell and then sallying out to crush the Hungarian pigs.

His thoughts drifted to Sigismund. He was meant to be here and he was meant to be knighted at this battle. Alas that was not to happen. What was even more disturbing was Sigismund’s actions now cast in the light of a letter he had received from his mother. It had explained in great detail the relationship between his father and the oldest surviving member of the von Mahren son’s. He had a brother, but that brother was older and could lay claim to the Austrian lands. There had been plenty of previous examples of that happening throughout the Reich over the centuries.

To hell with it!! Stop thinking and start taking action.

He quickly had his squires finished off covering him in armour. The new suit was from Italy and it was one of his best. It was so finely crafted he could move with ease and even jump off his horse without causing any lose of balance. He always felt the rush of adrenaline when he was ready…covered from head to foot in metal, his father’s long sword hanging from his side, his shield arm weighed down with the Austrian Coat of Arms proudly displayed. This was war and this was what he was destined to do!!

Stepping out into the cool night air Arnold nodded to his assembled Captains;

“Ok you bastards!! I’ve had it with being stuck in this fort with you scum!! YOU ALL STINK AND IT’S TIME TO RECTIFY THAT!!

As a group the captains could be seen grinning in the fading light, their teeth shining white in the gloom.

THERE’S NOTHING TO SMILE ABOUT YOU HEATHEN PIGS!!

Pacing now, Arnold's energy could be felt by all. The Guards either side of his tent gripped their weapons tighter, the hairs on the back each mans head stood in anticipation.

This is the first battle those stinking Hungarians are having with me, so there's a few things I need from you all this evening!!

Pausing in his pacing Arnold stares at his Captains...the torch light glinting of an increasingly malevolent glint in his eyes.

I WANT…every living thing out there killed this evening!!

I WANT them to fear me just as much as my father!!

I WANT these filthy stinking, whoreson’s sent to hell!!

I WANT this night to be the beginning of total Hungarian fear towards me!!!

Get the men ready!!! We leave in thirty minutes!!

Oh and one other thing boys!!! Let a few men escape and return word to the Hungarian Nobility that Duke Arnold has now come of age and will be hunting them until he dies!!

The situation:

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Sallying Forth:

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The crossbow hail storm:

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Arnold with a rush of blood:

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The charge:

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The Hungarians breaking:

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The Rechnungen:

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The Dread:

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*****

Looking back the plan was brutal in its simplicity, as all good night actions should be.

Storm out, let the crossbowman murder them in droves, then charge!!

All in all it was a pretty successful evening thought Arnold.

Now where was that maniac Sigismund. If he didn’t get his ass back here soon he’d miss out on the next battle with the Northern Hungarian force.

Looking around the battle field Arnold was suddenly extremely thirsty

You there, stop hacking that mans arm off and get me a drink!!

[TevashSzat]

1242, Battle northwest of Paris

After a quick removal of a French expeditionary force that was too close for the Duke's liking he began to move towards Paris at once hearing news of a large French force sighted near the city.

On his way though, the Duke was suddenly ambushed by a French force waiting for him to pass by. The French forces however did not plan out their ambush very well and the Duke was not taken that much by surprise.

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Again the Duke finds himself with little elite troops to fight with having mostly halberd militia recently recruited from Paris, but the French force did not have much elite troops either with even peasants stationed in their infantry line.

Once the battle begun, the Duke quickly charged into a small crossbow force that was brave enough to fire at him and the force had to quickly retreat. The French infantry line soon followed however, but the Duke was quick and retreated off to the flanks.

The French infantry thinking that the Duke had run off to save his own hide charged into Swabian militia with great eager. The battle seemed to be all but won when suddenly the duke came out of nowhere with his elite bodyguards and quickly dispatched the commanders of the French force spreading panic throughout the French infantry.

The French quickly began to rout, but it was too late for most were captured by Swabian forces and quickly executed to show what happens when the Duke gets annoyed.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[TevashSzat]

Battle West of Paris, 1246

Duke Scherer has been very annoyed recently, he and his army was stuck right outside of Paris due to some unforeseen circumstances making him go through yet another cold French winter. The reinforcements that should have arrived in Paris to help the never ending French assaults have yet to come without any news of whether they will ever come.

Only did urgent news that the French have besieged Paris, currently with a minimal garrison of some crossbowmen did the Duke manage to get his men to march in the snow. Upon arriving within site of Paris, the Duke was gravely concerned. There was one huge and well trained French army divided in 2 surrounding the Western and Southern gates of the city.

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The French brought the very best of their army, with no militia or under trained troops nearby. The Duke was going to fight against soldiers that have fought in many campaigns before.

After much argument with his advisors, the Duke came to the realization that he cannot take on the whole army by himself or with the garrison from Paris, so he had to sneak attack the larger of the two parts.

That night, the Duke had a clever plan. His cavalry and him will be deployed off to the side hidden from the French. The few pavise and mounted crossbowmen he had would be used to draw the French into an open and unorganized charge at his infantry line.

Before the French could reach the infantry line, the Duke and his cavalry would break ranks and charge. The French forces would be between a rock and a hard place. No matter whichever force they will choose to engage, more of the Duke’s forces will be ready t charge them from behind. Their hesitation proved fatal as they received the charge of the Duke’s cavalry and infantry together and the French forces, sleepy and hungry routed almost instantly only to be chased down and executed as a symbol of the Duke’s displeasure.

(OOC: I forgot to print screen post battle statistics yet again so here are the stats: I lost 93 men, but killed 280 and captured 503)

[Stig]

Place holder for the fifth battle for Imperial Thorn

[Warluster]

West to Hamburg, 1248 AD
Battle Fought by Kaiser Chancellor Jobst
Knight Siegfred is present on the Battlefield.

Extract from the Diary of Jobst von Salza.
Battle Report

The fight started off normally enough, the Teutonic Knights lineing the battlefield in front of me, the SPearmen and Feudal Knights up front, and crossbowmen firing at the front.

I sent Dieter ahead, to scout out the enemies army. We dwarf their army, our numbers of 716 against their 418. I am training Assasains, so when this happens.

The Battlefield was fine We occupied a hill, and they were stuck in a ditch.

End of Diary

The Imperial Army waited, while the Danes came. Jobst was scanning the battlefield, when a ball of fire appeared in the sky.
"What the hell is that?" wondered Jobst,
"Sir! Move!" roared Dieter, Jobst, on his horse, galloped away, as a massive flaming stone crashed where he was seconds before. Splinters flew off, one embedding itself in Jobst's armor. Seconds later, a massive crossbolt speared a man nearby, sending him flying.
"Sir, the enemy has Ballistas and Catapaults!" roared Dieter over the twang of arrows, and the crashing of rocks.

Soon, another flaming rock crashed into the front line, sending men sprawlkng, dead by the blast. others nearby caught fire, and their screams filled the air.
The front line was smashed, with a unit of 80 men declining to 40 in mere minutes.
The line of archers ran, as the Dismounted Huscarls charged at them.

Soon, they whole place was embroiled in fighting.
"For Germany!' roared Jobst, and he and his unit charged into the fray.

As Jobst leaned from his addle and cleaved a Danes head, and raised his sheild to block a attack, under the sun he saw Flaming rocks heading towards him. he was doomed. All of a sudden, Siegfred and his unit charged into the Catapault unit, and saved Jobst's life. As the rocks went high. Jobst smashed off another Danes head, inwardly thankful, as he life was in Siegfreds Debt.

"Sir, Captain Ulf is dead!" cheered Dieter, Ulf was the Dane Comander.

Victory!

Jobst approached Siegfred.
"I owe my life to you Knight Siegfred" Jobst old him, Siegfred seemed to nod, but said nothing.
"I have never been in such danger, and you saved me. For your efforts, I make you a Knight."

(Stats:

Emperor Jobst
716 Lost 88 Remaining 628

Captain Ulf (Deceased) 468 Lost 278 Remaining 198)

[OverKnight]

The Battle South of Florence, 1250

Matthias was overjoyed, he was finally taking ship to the Holy Land and Chancellor von Hamburg had ordered him to bring the Kaiser's Justice to a band of brigands on his way to the fleet. After years of kicking his heels in Bologna, he was finally going to lead men into battle.

I should have voted for him the first time around, Matthias thought with some regret.

The brigands had fled when he and his men first approached, but Matthias pursued them, and as night fell he cornered them against the sea. He deployed his infantry in a line with the Mailed Knights and his own retainers on each flank.

The cavalry moved to encircle the brigands, but something bothered Matthias. There were two units of them, one behind the other, where was the third he had seen before during the pursuit? He ordered his men to approach at a slow pace rather than charge in.

The Mailed Knights spotted the unit of spearmen before they could spring their trap from a small copse of trees.

Matthias ordered them to hold. The ambush had almost worked, but now the brigands were isolated from each other. The Imperial infantry was ordered to sorround the other unit of spearmen while Matthias took his retainers around the flank to take the peasants behind them. The Knights would remain out of the battle for now, though they would charge the would be ambushers if they moved to assist their comrades. When the men were positioned, Matthias ordered the charge.

The infantry and horsemen made contact at the same time. The brigands reeled before Imperial might.

The rebel leader was trampled in the first moments of Matthias's charge.

The two units routed almost instantly. The third unit tried to charge the Mailed Knights but they galloped out of range except for an unlucky few. They broke as well when they found the rest of the Imperial forces at their backs.

Once the routers had been run down, Matthias surveyed the field. It had been terrifying, the shouts of men, the sound of hooves trampling flesh, the tug at his arm when his sword found bone, and yet it was wonderful too. He had brought his men through with light casualties, by the grace of God, and they could now continue to the fleet, and then Outremer.

The Butcher's Bill:

[Northnovas]

Iconium 1250

Count Zirn had his orders to mobilize his army for Iconium. There was a Turkish army in the area led by Kujuk-ad-Dawlah he was ordered by the Chancellor to clear this force out before reaching the city. Dieter Rhem a member of the Count's entourage had finally been put to good use. He was responsible for the logistics to have the troops moving at top speed. They had made initial contact with ad-Dawlah who was able to disengage and retreated for Iconium. However, the Count was ready and was able to catch up by mid noon.

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*****
The battle was ready to begin and Ingo suggested a evening attack. However, Karl wanted to save the trrops for the seige and did not want to have unnecessary losses in night time fighting.

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The Count positoned himself on a hill and there were many in the region. He wanted to protect his seige equipment from damaged but wanted to make use of them on the high ground.

The Turks came charging over the hill.

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The Turkish General made the first contact.

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The battle continued on the side of the hill with no side being able to get advantage of the terrian.

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Young Wolfgang Hummel was assigned to protect the trebuchets and was desperate to get into battle. The Turkish general pulled back form the line and was quickly engaed by some mailed knights. The enemy began disengaging with some of the units routing. When the artillery was no longer in danger Wolfgang was set upon the routing units.

Within hours the battle was over and the Turks disengaged. The Count decided not pursue the enemy and rest his troops for the seige. The end results.

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Prinsoners report.

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They were all released on the Count's orders.

Iconium the prize was within grasp.

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[TinCow]

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The citadel of Ajaccio stained the Corsican hillside like an unlanced boil. Squat and foreboding, it had been the seat of Milanese power since their expulsion from the Italian mainland. Its three immensely thick concentric walls encompassing massive training facilities from which the exiled merchants readied their armies for raids into Bavarian lands. They had even expended massive amounts of coin to obtain the services of a master swordsmith, ensuring that Milanese blades were always superior to those of their Imperial foes.

Lothar and Markus Steffen sat astride their war horses and stared at the spectacle. Better to keep their minds on the battle ahead than to think of what lay behind them. The Bavarian army had finally trapped the witch Danae in the wooded hills to the east two days before. Lothar shivered at the memory of the encounter.

*****

She cackled and laughed like a banshee. That was wrong. No one acted like this when their life was at an end, especially an end as grisly as the one she was meeting. It was all Lothar could do not to turn away in disgust. Her entrails spilled across the wooden plank. Her eyes were nothing more than charred smudges, dripping ichor across her cheeks. Her fingers and toes lay scattered across the ground like marbles, laying where they had fallen after each had been cut cleanly from her body. Yet still she grinned.

She could not see, could not point, did not even move, yet Lothar knew she was speaking to him.

*Your family is cursed, evil one. Nothing can save you now. The wrath your father invoked with his sin against Pope Gregory is but an infant, a babe of misery the likes of which you cannot comprehend.*

The torturer sliced cleanly through an intestine, severing it from her body, and tossed it into the witches face. She did not even shake her head to remove it.

*I glory in my end, for it is paradise in comparison to that which awaits every man who bears the Steffen name.*

Lothar could take it no more. He strode forward and impaled his dagger into the crone’s throat, pinning her head to the table and severing her spinal cord. Her last exhaled breath came through bubbling blood, but it carried with a sound that was so foully joyful that all within hearing distance began to murmur loudly and back away in fear. She was dead, but he had a feeling as if some greater evil had been unleashed…

*****

“LOTHAR!” Markus was shaking him by the shoulder. The eldest Steffen brother shook his head, as if waking from a deep sleep.

“Sorry, Markus. I have been having trouble concentrating ever since…”

Markus nodded. “I know, I have too. We all have.” He pointed towards the citadel. “That is why we must concentrate on our duty. Idle minds do the devil’s work, so let us put them to use. Do you think we can take it?”

Lothar pursed his lips. “It will be difficult, no doubt about it. Three solid ring walls, each must be breached in turn and they will not fall easily. We outnumber the Milanese by two to one, but other than the Steffen retainers and a small group of Teutons, we have nothing but untrained militia and a handful of Frankish mercenaries to call on. Scouts say that the Milanese defenders are knights to the last man, armed with watered steel that can shatter even the finest Bavarian weapon.”

Markus grinned. “At least they’re not led by a Steffen!”

Lothar snorted and shook his head. His brother was right about that. If the gossip from the local peasants held any grain of truth to it, Count Beca, the Duke of Milan’s heir, was possibly the worst military commander the world had ever seen. Apparently Danae had not liked him any better than she had them.

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“It’s a good thing too. They’ve burned all the wood for miles around the castle. We’ve only been able to scrounge enough planks to assemble a single siege tower and a small ram. I would almost be tempted to return to Bavaria and come back with proper siege equipment, except that would require a fleet to transport us!”

Lothar did not know what had happened to the Imperial fleet. The Admiral had promised to return quickly with provisions for the army, but that had been weeks ago and not a single Imperial ship had been seen since. Nearly everything worth scavenging had been stripped from the land and sequestered inside the citadel. As a result, they only had a few more days’ worth of food before rations would have to be cut. When that happened, the army would begin to weaken and any chance at victory would evaporate. Yet attacking had its own risks, without a fleet to fall back to, defeat would mean certain death for every last man in the army.

“Ah, I’m glad you’re here, Markus.” Lothar put his arm around his brother’s shoulder. “If two Steffens can’t get this done, no one can.”

The difficulty was plain for all to see. The concentric ring walls would have to be taken one after another, yet the Bavarians possessed nothing that could strike at the inner gates except the single battering ram. If that ram was somehow destroyed, victory would be impossible, their food would run out, and the army would be obliterated. So, the ram had to be protected at all costs.

Lothar raised his sword. “Forward the tower!” He pointed it at a wall some ways to the west of the main gate. The gesture was dramatic, but unnecessary. The spearmen manning the siege engine knew their destination: a portion of wall on the flank of one of the groups of dismounted knights defending the outer wall. This particular group of militia were better armored and more experienced than their comrades, so they had been chosen. Once up on the wall, they would not have any support until the entire unit had disembarked on the top, allowing another unit to climb behind them. It would take only a few minutes, but in melee with elite defenders, they would be excruciatingly long minutes. Every last man prayed that Count Beca had demoralized his own men enough that the knights would break after only a short fight. If that happened, the outer wall could be taken without risk to the ram. If it did not…

As the siege engine neared the wall, fire arrows began to rain down on it from the few archers manning the nearby towers. The Bavarian watched, unblinking, as half a dozen, then a dozen, then a score of fire arrows thudded into the wooden structure. Even with a thick coating of mud to dampen the wood, it was nerve-wracking. Finally, the tower reached the outer wall and the men began to climb. Lothar spurred his horse forward, riding towards the wall, ignoring the arrows that whistled down around him. Perhaps his presence would reassure his men and keep them fighting harder. God knew that they needed every help they could get.

The militia poured out onto the ramparts and the effect on the defending knights was visible, even from the ground. They were nervous, subdued, and clearly not eager for combat; far from the usual disposition of trained knights. Yet they stood their ground, and that was enough. The combat was a brutal, close-quarters affair. As the militia continued to stream in off the tower, men were being continuously pushed towards the steel line of the Milanese. Despite their battle experience and padded armor, the militia were no match for the heavily armored swordsmen. Bodies began to pile up quickly on the ramparts, and few wore the green livery of Milan.

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“Fight harder! Kill them!” Lothar half screamed, half pleaded with his men, but he knew it was futile. Two-thirds of the militia had already fallen and they had taken down no more than a handful of the defenders. There would be no access to Ajaccio by this route.

Lothar cursed in frustration. “Markus!” The younger Steffen heeded the call and rode to his brother’s side. “Send in the ram!”

“If it is set alight…”

“We have no choice, the tower is lost.”

“God help us if the ram is destroyed.” Markus crossed himself and rode off.

With an interminable slowness, the militia crossbowmen began to push the ram towards the main gates. The Steffen brothers cringed as the fire arrows began to thud into the animal hides layered on top.

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The last of the militia on the wall broke and ran long before the ram reached the walls, freeing even more tower archers to concentrate on the approaching engine. The fate of the entire Bavarian army depended entirely on the hide coverings resisting the flames being directed at them. After an interminably long period, the ram finally entered the gatehouse overhang, protecting it from further arrows and allowing the crossbowmen to begin battering down the iron gate. The work went surprisingly quickly, and Lothar urged the entire army forward to exploit the opening as soon as it occurred.

He rode over to his brother. “Markus, take the cavalry and sweep the streets around the gatehouse clean as soon as the ram is through.” The younger Steffen nodded, lowered his visor, and rode off to battle. As the gate finally disintegrated in a shower of splintered metal, a cry of joy began to emanate from the rearmost ranks. From their vantage, they could see the Milanese knights disappearing from the ramparts. With the outer gate lost, they were abandoning the wall and retreating to the interior.

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Markus’ spearhead caught a large group of the men exiting from a door near the gatehouse. A fierce melee erupted in the street, as knight slew knight and the rest of the army swarmed in behind them.

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Markus’ sword was already thick with blood when Lothar rode up moments later. “These bastards won’t break and there is no way to get behind them!”

Lothar grimaced, “Find a way. I will ride deep into the city and try and cut off any other men from retreating to the second wall.”

Markus shook his head. “Alone? That’s insane. Take the Teutons with you, I can hold this line with what I have here, you will need them more than I.” The brothers nodded to each other, clasped arms, and broke in opposite directions.

Most of the streets of Ajaccio were tight, twisting affairs, dominated by towering buildings that loomed right up to the paving stones. As they rode, the knights scanned left and right, constantly on guard for an attack. Yet they did not see a soul until they neared the road that led through one of the middle wall’s gates. As they neared it, the houses began to thin out, their roof lines became lower, and their facings were set father back from the streets. With the added visibility, flashes of green could be seen in the breaks: Milanese soldiers on the move. The second group of knights was nearing the safety of the inner gatehouse when the Teutons broke on them.

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*****

Back at the main gate, Markus was becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress against the Milanese foot knights. He gestured to a lieutenant. “Send in the halberdiers to hold the line, I am going to find a way around these damned buildings. Perhaps if they are taken in the rear they will be broken.” The man nodded and turned to his business as Markus Steffen rode off.

*****

Lothar was coated in sweat. He swung his sword down at yet another opponent. He had been fighting for only moments, but already his sword arm ached.

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He did not understand it. These men simply would not break. Despite the fact that they were outnumbered two to one, despite the fact that their commander was rumored to be the most inept military leader in history, they fought like demons. Even with the skill of the elite Teutonic order and his own trained bodyguards, the Bavarians were taking grievous casualties. It was a battle of attrition, and neither side was gaining on the other.

*****

Markus could see their backsides. It had taken an interminably long time to find a way through the streets and to the rear of the main gate defenders. Yet he knew the maneuver would pay off as he spurred his horse forward, urging his men to charge into the unprotected rear of the Milanese knights.

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The effect was instantaneous. The knights, who had stood their ground without wavering for many minutes, slaying countless Bavarian knights and militia alike, crumpled like parchment under the impact of the heavy horse. The survivors tried to flee, but they were cut down where they stood. Finally, the main gate was clear and the ram could begin to move towards the second of Ajaccio’s great walls.

When order had been restored, he rode out to find his brother, the army trailing in the streets behind him. The two Steffens met at the site of Lothar’s battle outside the second gatehouse. The mound of dead, horse and man alike, told of the result.

“The entire outer ring is now secure, my brother.”

Lothar clapped him on the shoulder. “Excellent work. You have down well today, Markus. I will see to it that you are properly knighted at the first possible occasion.” He winked. “As if that was ever in doubt.” He turned and gazed at the second gatehouse, standing silent and hostile. “Now… what shall we do about that?”

“Only the ram can breach it, but sending it straight in will risk its destruction once again by the inner tower archers. We need a distraction to draw the defenders away.”

“Indeed. During my days of schooling, my tutor made me study the records of many battles. I remember a few references to attacking armies gaining access to inner ring walls through unguarded doors in the outer walls. Let us send the militia around the city and try and find a route into the inner walls from the rear.” Markus nodded and rode off to give the orders.

While the militia marched around the flank of the middle wall, the crossbowmen resumed their toil and pushed the ram into position near the second gatehouse. At one point they ventured too close to a defended segment of inner wall, and half a dozen fire arrows lanced out before the men could react. They scrambled as fast as they could to push the all-important siege engine out of harms way, eventually taking a much slower back route to ensure that a similar encounter did not occur again. Finally, they arrived in position.

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The minutes dragged on as the men waited for word from the flanking militia. Finally, an exhausted runner turned a corner and approached Lothar. He gasped a few words and then collapsed in a panting heap on a nearby stoop. Lothar screamed with rage and pounded his mailed fists against a nearby doorway.

“Can nothing go right today?! Heavens above, perhaps we really are cursed.”

Markus walked over to his brother. “What is it?!”

Lothar scowled. “The militia reached the wall and found the door, but they cannot get inside it! It is barred and those fools cannot figure out a way to break it down.”

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“We have no choice, order in the ram.” Once again the fate of the entire army depended on a few scattered animal hides strapped to the top of the siege engine. The fire arrows thudded into ram and flesh alike, but the former remained unlit and the few burning crossbowmen were quickly replaced by their comrades. The Bavarians’ luck, if it could be called that, held and the ram reached the safety of the gatehouse overhang, where it began its bone-rattling work.

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At least the men who operated it were competent at their task. The second iron portcullis was soon thrown asunder, but with his knights heavily depleted and with the infantry still on the other side of the castle, any attempt to cut off the retreating Milanese knights was foolish. The Count and the knights who held the middle wall escaped into the third ring of fortifications without molestation.

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Lothar signaled to one of the dozen or so Teutons who had survived the earlier melee. “Go and open the side gate near the militia. And tell them to move on the double, the day is growing late and we cannot stay in this town at night if it remains hostile. We must make haste to overcome this last wall or all will be lost!”

The Teutons saluted and rode off to comply. When the side gate was finally raised, the entering militia were greeted by the mocking stares of the mounted knights. “Good work taking the walls, boys.” One of the Teutons jeered.

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*****

Lothar conferred with Markus “Alright, let’s try this again. Scouts have reported that this time there is an unbarred doorway on the middle wall that should lead to the ramparts of the inner wall. It will take precious time, of which we are growing short, but it is still better than risking all to the whims of the flame for a third time.”

Markus chuckled. “Let’s hope the militia are capable of breaking into an open doorway. When we return to Italy, remind me to ask someone why the Bavarian Household Army is composed of nothing but militia.”

Lothar shook his head. “The entire Reich is falling to pieces around us, Markus. We had best start looking after ourselves.”

*****

The militia began their long march around the walls of Ajaccio once again. The knights holding the last wall followed them, manning the towers as they moved ever westward, towards the reportedly open doorway. At one point, a unit of militia strayed too close to the second inner gateway and three men were quickly cut down by defending arrows.

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After many long minutes, yet another runner approached Lothar. “Milord, the men have reached the doorway and it is indeed open. But… but, there appears to be a second doorway some distance inside the wall which our men cannot breach. They cannot obtain the inner wall.”

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Markus expected his brother to lash out again in anger, but this time only fatigue washed across his face. He waved his hand and dismissed the runner. “We are cursed Markus, make no mistake about it. Father was not wrong to spend so many years in that Roman abbey. The foul witch truly did have power over the fates.”

Markus broke the awkward silence that followed. “We cannot fail now that we are so close to victory. Only one wall remains between us and Count Beca. If we breach that, we have only a hard fight and then some hard drinking. If we can distract the defenders long enough to get the ram to the wall unmolested, we will have won.”

“And how, little brother, do you suggest we do that?”

“Simple. Tell the militia to assemble outside the secondary gateway.”

Lothar’s eyebrows arched. “They will be shot to pieces…” Markus nodded as his brother continued on, “…thereby depriving this gate of any archers who could set the ram alight! Markus, you’re a blood genius!”

*****

The defenders of the inner rampart realized the deception, but it was too late. Barely a dozen had made it to the gatehouse when the ram broke through the final barrier between the Bavarians and remaining Milanese garrison.

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For once, not a single fire arrow had tested the integrity of the hides covering the top of the siege engine. The remaining defenders abandoned the walls and retreated to join the Milanese Ducal heir in the parade ground at the base of the keep. They would make a final stand in a place where retreat was not an option. The knowledge would surely make every Milanese soldier fight to his last breath, negating any advantage from Count Beca’s ineptitude.

Once again, the Teutons rode around the walls to open up the side gate and let the militia through.

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There was no amusement on their faces this time when the infantry began to stream through the final wall; only mutterings about militia and the occasional curse.

The entire battered and exhausted Bavarian army began to assemble in lines around the remaining Milanese knights. Time was very short, but Lothar knew the final assault had to be properly prepared. The Milanese would not turn and run from this place, but his men might if they began to fear for their lives. Fear was a disease that spread as quickly as the wind. The men were already exhausted, many were bloodied, and without the training of professional soldiers their discipline was in doubt. They had to be held together for one final push.

The signal was given and the charge began from all sides. Lance, spear, sword, and halberd were all brought to bear against the enemy from every conceivable direction. The dismounted Milanese found themselves enveloped on both flanks, while Count Beca’s mounted bodyguards were taken simultaneously in front and rear. The spearmen and halberdiers were proving extremely effective against the horsemen. A quarter of the Count’s bodyguards were already down, but the Bavarians were taking losses as well.

As Lothar feared, the exhaustion and sheer terror of combat proved too much. Before his eyes, a battered group of spearmen broke contact with the Milanese bodyguards and fled. He blew his signaling horn in an attempt to rally the men, but it was futile. As if in a nightmare, the panic began to spread just as he had predicted. The halberdiers dropped their weapons and ran for safety. Count Beca’s rear was now totally free and his retainers turned their full force on the men to their front. It was only a matter of time before they too broke, at which point the entire army would disintegrate and the battle would be lost.

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Lothar spurred his horse forward and charged into the battle with his counterpart’s men. He was tired and bloodied from the previous fighting in the street, while his opponents were fresh and outnumbered his men by two to one. Yet he had no choice. Lothar slashed wildly at all who surrounded him while simultaneously shouting encouragements to the wavering men all around him.

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“Fight on, you Bavarian bastards! Fight for your Duke! Fight for God! Fight for yourselves!”

Men fell screaming all around him. Limbs were cleaved from bodies, helms split in twain. He parried a blow by a man to his right and riposted, driving his sword deep into his foe’s chest. He pulled back to yank the weapon out, but his grip slipped. The blade was embedded deep in bone and mail and his hand was slick with blood. The Milanese knight fell back off his horse, taking Lothar’s sword with him. Noticing the helpless Bavarian, another bodyguard unleashed a vicious assault on him. Lothar held his shield high with both hands, but he could do nothing except endure the blows that continued to break over him again and again.

By the sixth blow, his shield began to splinter apart. On the ninth blow, the left side collapsed altogether. The tenth landed directly on his left shoulder. The mail held and prevented what would surely have been a mortal cut, but the impact threw him from his horse. As he fell flailing, the remnants of his tattered shield disappeared into the confusion around him. He was totally defenseless, sprawled on the ground in the midst of the enemy.

The bodyguard who had so brutally battered him rode a few steps forward and brought his sword up for one final, devastating cut. Instinctually, Lothar raised his hands to shield himself from the blow that would end his life. They held there in the air, shaking heavily, while time seemed to slow around him.

He could see the glistening sweat on the face of a Bavarian militiaman. A drop of blood flew lazily through the air from an arcing blade. He could even see the ridges and slits on the hoof of a rearing horse. All was clear, all was visible, and all was silent.

It took Lothar a few seconds to realize that the fatal blow had not fallen. He lowered his hands and saw his brother, Markus, grappling with the Milanese knight who stood over him. The two men were locked, arm in arm, in a titanic battle of strength and will. With one immense push, Markus threw his opponent back, reached a hand to the dagger at his waist, and plunged it into the man’s chest. He screamed and fell from his horse.

Markus turned to look at Lothar, a grin on his face. He lowered his hand to help his brother up from the ground, but froze midway. His smile disappeared and the blood drained from his face. Then his forward momentum resumed and he toppled down, off his mount. As he fell, Lothar saw the sword pull free of his brother’s back. He screamed.

Markus’ own retainers fell on the man who had stabbed their Lord. The wave of battle flowed past them and the Milanese line crumbled. Somewhere, a joyous cry showed that Count Beca had fallen. Shortly afterwards, the sounds of battle turned into cheers of celebration.

Lothar Steffen heard none of it. Cradling his brother in his arms, he wept openly. Markus, his face white as snow, coughed once and gave a half smile. “I’ll be alright. It’s not that…” Markus never finished the sentence. His eyes closed and his head sagged as death took him. Lothar screamed.

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It was several minutes before anyone dared to approach Lothar. Finally, one of his bodyguards summoned up the courage. “Milord, what shall we do with the captives?”

The eldest son of Gerhard Steffen did not look up. “Kill them. Kill them all.”

“The… the prisoners, my lord? They could give a good ransom.”

“The prisoners. The Count’s retainers. His servants. His wife. His children. His dogs. His horse. His people. All of them. They will pay for what they have done to my brother.” He looked up at the man. His eyes were red, his face streaked with tears. “The whole citadel. Put it to the sword.”

Minutes later the screams of death resumed. They continued for hours as the Bavarians rampaged through the town, killing everything that moved. Still, Lothar heard none of it. All he saw was his brother’s lifeless face. All he heard was Danae’s last words, echoing through his mind.

“…I glory in my end, for it is paradise in comparison to that which awaits every man who bears the Steffen name.”

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[Northnovas]

Siege of Iconium 1252

Count Zirn had followed the Turkish Army to the City of Iconium. He has immediately set up the siege equipment and was ready to starve the city out. His goal had been Iconium on direction of the Diet to capture the city from the Turks and offer it to the Byzantine Empire.

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The previous encounter with General Kujuk ad-Dawlah was not in the operation plan but the battle was short and the victory clear. The Count had sufficient resources to take the city.

The battle plan was to utilize the artillery and then move in with the troops calvary was scarce and Count Zirn knew the plan would involve not only his men but that of young Wolfgang Hummel. It was time he earned his spurs. The lad was eager to go.

The Count waited for nightfall. This was a different tatic and he knew his opponet was a nightfigher but darkness would help to breach the large city.

0002 hrs Shock and Awe

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The artillery let loose and things were going well till impatience set in and the confusion of darkness. The captians moved out after the gates were breached but the walls had many archers.
As a diversion the siege platform was put to the wall but was engulfed in the flames of the defending archers. One regiment of knights was sent far off to flank the enemy.

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The maneuver worked and 2 regiments of defenders headed for the ladders on the wall.

The gate house was taken and the Turks had artillery set up in the main street to defend the gate. The troops poured through the gate taking the archers off the wall and rushing their way down the main throughway.

At this point the two generals mad their move into the city and fighting along side streets to the centre square. Young Hummel staggered behind at the gate to assist the foot troops with the last few defenders.

Count Zirn crashed into the centre square just as his spearmen were coming in the other direction. General ad-Dawlah went for the infantry. More artillery was set up in the square and the balistas were ready to fire on the mass of troops converging. The Count encourages his men to fight.

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Wolfgang arrived in the centre in time and takes out the artillery units before any damage his done. General ad-Dawlah falls in battle but the Turks are not discouraged. Just when it appeared that battle could be a draw the other Reich units poured in from different streets to converge on the remaining Turks.

It's over and at a huge cost to the Count.

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The Turks were destroyed those that surrendered were released on the Count's orders. Their general was no longer a threat.

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In the heat of battle he forgot what the goal of Iconium was about; there was no strategic value it was going to another empire. Good men wasted, could he have besieged them longer till they sallied out? Did the men move in too soon? Questions he could not ponder on for too long. He must return east has the Horse Lords are now in contact with the Reich Armies in the Outremer.

There was also a new general that would be given his own command. The dispatch was send at once to the Chancellor to advise him of the gallantry that only a true knight could display like young Wolfgang Hummel.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Outside Aleppo, 1252

"Okay, here's the plan," Conrad Salier said to the young Franconian Jan von Hamburg, son of Chancellor Fredricus. "A small Egyptian force is lurking outside of Aleppo, which could presumable bring trouble and block our movements to and from Edessa. Our job is to make sure that that army is no longer a threat to anyone."

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Jan nodded. This would be the young nobleman's first battle. He sat and listened to Conrad, eager to do whatever the King of Outremer told him. This was not so much because Jan had that type of personality, no. He just wanted to get knighted.

"We're going to fight this thing at night so half of our men don't collapse in the heat," Conrad continued. "Basically, this is going to be a simple, brutal assault. We're going to give the Egyptians a tough time with our crossbows and then charge straight in with a couple of regiments to finish them off. Look lively when fighting. I'm sure your father wants another knight in Outremer."

Jan wanted to be knighted, but Conrad's blunt way of explaining the strategy to him unnerved him a little bit. "So I just charge right in?" he asked. "Don't you think we should be a little bit more prudent after what happened to Markus?"

"If you think that the circumstances in Markus's death are the same here, please, think again," Conrad said. "We're fighting on an open field, not some three-level citadel. There are more of us, less of them, and our men are of much better quality. We have a massive advantage in height, and I'm not as reckless as that Lothar. Jan, this is the most prudent situation I can give you and still be able to argue that you should be knighted."

Jan nodded, slightly pale. The majority of the army they were facing were spears.

"We'll be fine," Conrad said reassuringly. "Come on, let's fight this thing before it gets too dark."

The two generals left for their escorts and Conrad deployed for the fight. The Imperial army had planted itself on top of some significant heights, while the small Egyptian force, commanded by its Sultan, was below.

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"Crossbows, fire!"

Three regiments of pavise crossbowmen and one battered unit of Turkopiles began unleashing their arrows on the enemy below. After two volleys and several hits, the Sultan moved his men closer to the heights, which also meant that the crossbowmen no longer had the angle to attack.

"Begin marching down the hill!" Conrad ordered. "Crusaders and Armored Sergeants first! Then the escorts! Crossbowmen, find a spot where you can fire! Everyone else, hold!"

The exodus down the heights began. From his vantage point, Conrad saw that the main battle would probably take place near the bottom, but still on the slope.

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The infantry clash did not last long. The Saracen Militia, outnumbered and outclassed, quickly fell to the superior numbers and quality of the Imperial spearmen. Conrad watched it all from halfway up the slope, judging when the time was right to charge.

Finally, when the Egyptian spears were about half down, he turned to Jan.

"All right, let's go."

The Egyptian Sultan, who had not entered the battle personally yet, heard the thunder of hoofbeats coming down the slope and looked up. Cursing silently in Arabic, he prepared his men to countercharge.

The two Imperial escorts crashed through the remaining Saracens, who slowed them down just long enough to be countercharged by the Sultan. With all of their momentum gone, they would simply have to hack their way through the defenders.

"If you want to earn it, earn it now!" Conrad yelled to Jan. The young Franconian nodded and set to the task.

After a few bloody minutes, the task was complete. The Saracens had disappeared completely and the Sultan had only extricated himself and a handful of other cavalrymen.

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Conrad carefully inspected his young partner's armor, checking for bloodstains and scratches. Satisfied, he gave Jan the good news.

"Was that fun?" he asked. Jan nodded. Battles were a lot easier after they were finished.

"Good," Conrad said. "Because this was a tune-up. Pretty soon the real fun begins."

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[Stig]

Thorn, 1252 AD

It was night in the city of Thorn, all seemed quite as he had seemed for the past years. Thorn had been under siege for a full 2 years now, but there was hardly anything to worry about; there was plenty of food and water, sides the Poles failed to secure the river entirely and resources could be brought into the city from time to time. People even managed to leave the city.
During the first year of the siege there was plenty of fighting. The garrison sallied out to destroy a stronghold or the Poles were practise shooting at the walls, but in the second year this stopped. It seemed like the Poles didn't dare to attack, and the Thorn garrison didn't care about fighting anymore, they knew they couldn't fight the Poles on the flat plains outside the city as the Poles had swift horsemen. But by the middle of 1252 news came of reinforcements led by Fritz von Kastilien had crossed the Vistula earlier that year and were making for Thorn.

That brought some action into the Poles again who started making another siege tower so that they could take the city before the reinforcements could arrive. Soon however it seemed like the reinforcements halted as they had to rest to make the final push towards Thorn, and this also could be seen in the activities of the Poles outside Thorn, who stopped many of their guard duties.

But this night was going to be different. Inside Thorn knights gathered around the main gate, but this all happened as quiet as possible. Tonight was the night that Fritz von Kastilien would come within striking distance and tonight was the night to sally out.
On the walls three men were looking at the Poles in the distance.
"I want to attack tonight," said the youngest of them. "Ansehelm, you take the spearmen on the right, the Teutons will attack the left, while father and me charge through the middle. In the meantime Gert von Runstede will lead the infantry out of the city to form a line in front of the gate. We should be quick and hit them before they know what's happening, the night isn't as dark as it could be so we won't be able to use it at our full advantage, but Fritz will attack them from behind. If things go as planned the battle may be over before we even know it. Let's go."
The three men came down from the wall and mounted their horses. The gate opened and the garrison stormed out.

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The Poles, who saw the enemy coming, quickly assembled a defensive line to defend their siege equipment, but this line was doomed at the moment is was made. Within seconds they were hit by an almighty body of heavely armoured knights.

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And while all this happened the Poles became aware that they were being attacked from behind as well.

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Quickly the Polish lines were beginning to fall, the infantry routed within seconds. The honourable nobles held out for a little longer, but they too were routed from the battlefield.

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The outcome:

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[AussieGiant]

Budapest 1252

Might I suggest we we set up in a three pronged attack my Duke?

The young Duke Arnold looked up from the map of Budapest City to scowl at his Military Engineer Sigfreid.

Sigfreid you blithering idiot, THEIR REBELS!! What's even worse, their rebels in Austria, and you know I can't stand disloyalty!!

Looking back down at the map Arnold could see Sigismund von Mahren from the corner of his eye. Without looking up Arnold continued speaking almost in a whisper.

Their all going to die, they know it, we know it, and so does God...

Arnold was pleased to see Sigismund face show no sign of emotion at that statement. Sigismund was going to earn his spurs come hell or high water tonight and sieges we always a dangerous place for cavalry.

Placing both mailed fists on the city map Arnold again gazed back at his Captains and advisers.

Right you scum!! This isn't the real battle, this is just a warm up. The real battle is following us about half a years march from here. Three Hungarian armies are heading this way to recapture their Capital. What they don't realise is we will have it safely back under Austrian control by the time they turn up!!!

What that means is we are ending this charade tonight. We will go in under cover of darkness in a concentrated force.

No pissing about, no diversions, nothing but straight up slaughter.

First man into the square gets a night with my horse and my eternal gratitude for restoring Austrian lands to me.

Gazing steadily at his troops Arnold could sense their anticipation.

More importantly men, we MUST get this over an done with, so we can wheel and turn to face the oncoming Hungarian's with enough time to rearm and repair this city!!

The situation:

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Frontal Assault:

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The towers make it to the wall:

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The gate comes down:

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The right flank gets decimated:

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The battle for the gate:

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Sigismund forces his way through gaining his Knighthood:

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Sigismund presses home the attack:

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Victory!!!

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Crap I forgot to take screen shots of the stats until this point!!

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[Stig]

Near Thorn, 1254 AD

Ansehelm looked to his right and to his left. What he saw was what was called the Franconian Household Army. A well trained and strong army, made up of Knights, Sergeants and Mercenaries, one of the few strong and professional armies left in Europe at this time. And now it would be tested. On a hill not far away there was a strong Russian army, it had penetrated deep into the Reich and here, near the Vistula it came to a fight. The Russians seemed ready, they had everything in their favour; a hill, numbers and they were battleworn. But Ansehelm had one advantage, the FHA existed of veterans, of men who fought for their own survival on numerous occassions, of men who knew how to win against the odds.

Ansehelm rode to the nearest group of infantry.
"Are you ready for it Gert?"
"As ready as I'll ever be sir, and so are the men," Von Runstede answered.
"That's good. Gert, I want you to lead the attack of the infantry, you're an experienced man, hence why I gave you this job. I know you prefered to be Thorn's garrisons commander, but you're one of the best captains I know."
"Thank you sir."
"Now listen, till the archers come into shooting range we will march together, but at that moment I want you to take over control of the infantry and steadely march on the enemy. I will take the cavalry and charge their infantry lines. They are mostly militia and will quickly fall, I will pull my cavalry out and you can send in some groups to deal with the remaining Russians. Prepare to come under heavy missile fire as your slow marching ranks will be an ideal target for their Horse Archers, but try to lure them to charge you, I will send my cavalry around their flank and attack them from behind. Oh, and good luck."
"You too sir."


Ansehelm marches the army towards the enemy.

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It's over, and the Russians are finished.

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Artillery is seized.

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Victory for the Reich!!!

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[AussieGiant]

Budapest 1254

Having penned his last wishes should he die, Arnold looked around the palatial interior of his residence in Budapest. He knew, as Duke, no one would be living has he would, given the situation.

Outside he could here the crying of women and children already. The siege had just begun and already pestilence had started taken the lives of the weak.

What to do thought Arnold...

His spy has alerted him to the fact that none of the Hungarian commanders had the skill to command troops at night. He knew that a night raid would see him victorious against this Hungarian force, but what of the other two.

It would be a long and grinding year if chose to sit behind the walls of Budapest.

Gazing into the fire Arnold was lost in thought.

Across the room his adviser the Military Engineer Sigfried could see the his Lords eyes turn a shade of madness he has never seen before.

Standing, Arnold drew his father sword looking down it's blade, as he walked out side the feel of his Field Plate Armour gave his a sense of invincibility, his confidence grew and the rush of adrenaline that came with a decision filled his eyes with tears!!

“Sigismund!!! Prepare the men!! We're going to attack!! Sigfried get out here and tell me the range of these Hungarian siege weapons.”

At that moment, out of an ally came a young women screaming for her life. Behind her a solider in the Austrian heavy foot regiment could be seen close behind.

Arnold stepped forward sword in hand, in one efficient swing he decapitated the solider. Head and body tumbled to the ground, blood sprayed both Arnold and onlookers alike.

Silence...

...into that silence Arnold's sword could be heard sliding back into its scabbard.

“Sigismund whip the blood off your face and move!!!! Sigfried, get some men to clean this up and pay the girls father for his troubles."

Looking at body guardsmen through bloody eyes he whispers.

"Tell your fellow soldiers, that I will not tolerate indiscipline and if they can't comply I will hunt them down in their sleep!!"

Sigismund takes out some catapults

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The skirmishing continues

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Arnold presses forward

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Hungarian artillery is still functioning

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Hungarian last stand

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Victory

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Sigismund chasing down the scum

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Arnold joins the slaughter

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Clear Victory

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A Dread Knight joins the party

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And so does a Notorious Berserker

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[AussieGiant]

Budapest 1254 continued

The fury on Arnold face caused sheer terror in most. His captains and Sigismund seem to be the only one's able to walk and talk without being frozen in horror by his presence. By contrast Grom the Berserker and the Dread Knight Bane seemed oblivious to it all and casually spoke about the coming battle.

“That effeminate, wine swilling piece of crap Hans has said the last words he ever will to me!!!

By god I'm going to take his challenge one step further. I want BOTH Hungarian armies destroyed today!!”

The startled look on his captains faces was clear to see.

“But my lord that is madness!”; said one of the younger captains

Arnold turned on the newly appointed man, his eyes rimmed red from lack of sleep.

“WHAT DID YOU SAY!!”

The Berserker Grom laid his huge hand on the young Captains shoulder and removed him Arnold view with his huge frame. Arnold walk up to the Berserker's chest and tilted his head to speak with him as his eyes only reached his throat.

“Grom, stand aside.” said Arnold quietly.

Grom's answer was a simple shake of his massive head in disagreement.

By now everyone in the Command tent was watching the unfolding scene in silence.

“GROM, I SAID MOVE!!”

The giant berserker did move.

Bane moved up beside the young Duke. His hallow voice cutting through the tension.

“My Lord, let him be, you have preparation to attend to if you wish to attack two armies in one day.”

Nobody moved as Arnold considered the words spoken by the Dread Knight. Moments passed, the air in the tent became oppressive with the silence.

The Dread Knight placed his hand on the Duke shoulder, gently guiding him towards the map placed on the Command tents main table.

The tension visibly eased as Arnold began barking orders about the coming battle.

The Situation:

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Set up:

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Arnold and Sigismund on the right flank:

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The Hungarians press the advantage:

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The tide turns:

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Reinforcement arrive:

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Victory:

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Stats:

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What do you think the Dread Duke does?

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Arnold fulfills his ambition to make his father proud:

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That evening:

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The situation:

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The night brings no cover from the artillery:

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The battle lines meet:

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It's over before it begins:

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Victory:

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Confirmed:

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Stats:

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Money over Dread...not likely:

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[Ituralde]

1254, in the forests of Northern Germany

It was still dark as Siegfried von Kastillien surveyed his men. He was feeling out of breath already, his arm aching and his armour dented in several places. Not to mention the grizzly sights he had trouble putting out of his head. He surpressed a sudden urge to vomit, not that there was much left in his stomach. It had only just begun though. The recent encounter with the Danish army just to the North of them had just been a warm-up for the real fight. Mainly Militia it had been an easy victory.



Looking ahead he knew, that the upcoming battle would not be as easy. This time they faced battle-hardened War Clerics supported by highly trained Infantry Militia. Once again Emperor Jobst had decided to deploy Siegfried on the right of the Imperial line, leading the cavalry to make the decisive flanking attack, just like the one that had broken the Militia in the previous battle.



The Danish, although surprised and disrupted by the Imperial night attacks, had nevertheless managed to hole up in a dense forest. Siegfried cursed, this would negate much of their cavalry's effectiveness. Still, they had no other choice but to advance, and so they did. The Imperial line advancing slowly through a hail of Danish crossbow bolts.

The infantry charged forward, the Armoured Sergeants forming a solid line, while the Dismounted Feudal Knights were supposed to hold the left flank in the deepest part of the forest. For Siegfried it was simple to take his men around the right flank of the enemy and once the lines had engaged he ordered his men to charge!



The impact of the Imperial cavalry was brutal, but the War Clerics were abundant in numbers and had lined up behind their Infantry line, ready to countercharge the Imperial attackers. Siegfried lashed out to his left and right, but soon the battle lines had dissovled and turned into a confusing slugfest for both sides. Slowly the Imperials seemed to be gaining the upper hand though. Several times, fleeing Danish troops passed Siegfried and his short attempts of following them brought him further and further from the main battle.

Slowly the clamour of battle died down and it seemed as though Emperor Jobst had led his men to another victory, but above several cries of jubilation, Siegfried could still hear the sound of battle, this time coming from the other side of the battle line. There wasn't supposed to be anyone there expect for the Imperial Pavises who had covered their initial advance and suddenly Siegfried realized that the hail of their bolts had stopped about halfway through the battle.

Cursing loudly he spurred his horse onwards and ordered his men to follow. Sure enough several War Clerics had used the cover of the woods to attack the unprotected Imperial missiles. As Siegfried charged he saw Emperor Jobst accompanied by some Teutonic Knights leave the woods to his right and soon the remaining War Clerics had been dispersed. The Imperial Missiles had been severely crippled though.



Now that the battle was over, Siegfried could no longer hold back the images of hacked limbs and strewn bodies. Raising his helmet he relieves the meagre contents of his stomach onto the field. Recovering just in time to see Emperor Jobst approach his bodyguard. Hopefully he hadn't noticed Siegfrieds temporary weakness.

"You fought well tonight, Siegfried! There's only a small contigent left, if we hurry we can catch them before sunrise and then hurry north to lift the siege of Hamburg! Once we're through there is no doubt that you will be knighted for your bravery!"

Apparently, he hadn't.

________________________________________________________


Early Morning:



The last of the Danish that had surrounded them were composed of a mixture of troops and had brought several pieces of artillery with them. Lacking a sufficient number of Missile troops, Emperor Jobst had seen no other option but to charge the enemy, who had decided to make their last stand upon a small hill overlooking the approaching Imperial Army.



Once again Siegfried found himself on the right flank, leading the cavalry, this time accompanied a little closer by Emperor Jobst, who would be following his charge. The Imperials advanced slowly onto the Danish position, and it didn't take long before fiery balls were hurtled from the catapults brought to the field by the Danish.

Shortly before the Imperial lines closed in, Siegfried noticed how one of the fireballs hit the Emperor's bodyguard square on, the screams of horse and riders was terrible to behold, but already he had spurred his horse forward, which was carrying him into battle.

Once again the Danish were engaged head on by the Imperial infantry while the Teutonic Knights along with Siegfried and Jobst bodyguard made short process with the remaining Danish forces.

It was not until the battle was over that Siegfried noticed something was wrong. During the fight more and more cries of: "For the Emperor! For Jobst!" had been heard than in the more recent battles. The soldiers seemed to have been driven by some inner fury and the assault and been brutal and short. The joy over the victory seemed muted.

"Siegfried, Siegfried! Come at once!" It was Dieter, the trusted follower of Emperor Jobst who was now approaching him. "Come quick, it's the Emperor, he's dying!" Numbed by the shock of these news Siegfried quickly follows Dieter back to the place where the catapult shot has disrupted the Emperor's bodyguard. It was a grizzly sight that greeted him and it was all Siegfried could do not to avert his gaze or vomit once more.



Charred bodies were scattered and the stench of burning flesh hung in the air. Two bodyguards lay on the ground, their whole body covered in blackened flesh, their faces distorted in agony, their horses had fared little better, one had a large wound on his neck, where another man had put the horse out of misery. Amidst the carnage lay a barely recognizable figure. If Dieter hadn't told him so he would have never recognized him as Jobst.

Still numbed Siegfried kneels down by his Emperor. His lips are cracked from the heat and his face has been cleaned of the black ash, revealing the blisters of his burns. Only the eyes seem to be untouched by the horror visited upon his body as Jobst focuses on Siegfried. "Fought well... you did!" his voice was thin and he had to lean closer to hear the man in front of him.

"My heir... you! Long... live... ... Kaiser!" with that the last glow left in his eyes vanishes. Only now Siegfried takes in the men surrounding him. The Knight who had been holding Jobst upright and in whose arms the Emperor had died. Dieter who was standing behind him, looking at him approvingly and the rest of the Emperors bodyguard standing around him. Slowly the men kneeled before him to acknowledge their new Emperor.

Still numbed, Siegfrieds gaze returns to the charred Emperor, unable to tear his gaze away he fells the warm streaks, as tears run down his face and for once his desire to vomit is succumbed by the feelings of loss and confusion overwhelming him.



OOC: Pictures follow, as always!

[Ituralde]

Placeholder for the defense of Hamburg.

[flyd]

Edessa, 1256

"They found out!"

"Who," the Chancellor paused, trying to put as much emphasis as possible on every syllable spoken, perhaps in an attempt to convey the annoyance he felt due to receiving such an undetailed report, "and... what?"

"The Mongols, about the other ford!"

That could have been expected. There was another possible place to cross the Euphrates, at least in the dry season. It was somewhere north of Edessa, at the foot of a mountain range. The terrain is very rough, and after only nominal scouting, we had thought that it was impossible to follow the northern bank of the Euphrates down to the plains of Aleppo. This seems to have proven less correct than initially hoped.

"No matter," the Chancellor responded, "Salier will be able to make it up there while the enemy is held up here. His army is sufficiently large now to take them on."

Oh, but this scout was not yet done. "They've gone to the north. A part of their army has already crossed the river. Edessa has been bypassed."

The Chancellor's expression darkened. He was obviously unhappy with this, even though it was actually good news. I had to speak up.

"Sir, this isn't a bad thing. Edessa has been saved. We can still set up a defense around Aleppo and the rivers in Syria. It will take them a long time to make it along that bank. We still control the southern bridge."

I don't think he heard me.

"How many of them have already crossed?" He asked.

"About one half, their armies can only cross one at a time. The third one has probably crossed at least in part by now. I would expect the fourth one to still be on this side."

"Excellent. They've had to abandon the formation they've held so far, and cross single-file. Mobilize the entire army. I want to be at that ford before dark."


North of Edessa, near the Euphrates, 1256

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As we reached the end of the plateau, the scouts reported that the trailing Mongol army was just ahead, and that it had not yet descended to the river. We would have to fight uphill, as there was a small rise before the drop off. The next Mongol army was down by the river, but it had not yet crossed, and would be able to turn around rather quickly. The first two armies were probably not a factor. The Chancellor had a point, this was an improvement over attacking them in completely open terrain, where they would, without a doubt, be able to bring at least three of their armies to bear against you. As a counter-point, there were still two very large Mongol armies ahead. I was also somewhat concerned about the Chancellor's plan, which he relayed to us as we were marching. It basically consisted of charging straight for the Mongol center and destroying their heavy cavalry, artillery, and, most importantly, killing their general. He intended to repeat this maneuver for the second army. He did not seem particularly concerned about large numbers of horse archers that would, by this stage, be surrounding our army. I guess he didn't fear arrows much, but they have been known to maim and kill.

We deployed in a battle formation at the last moment. The sun had already set behind the tall peaks beyond the Euphrates, and the first Mongol army was just over the crest.

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The enemy must have been somewhat surprised to see a mighty army of the Reich as they came over the crest. They quickly turned around, artillery and all, and began to withdraw, without a doubt in an attempt to link up with their second army.

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Upon seeing their enemy, the Mongols turn around.

If there was any sense to the Chancellor's plan, it was that we would be taking on the core of each Mongol army separately. If they combined, it would be even more suicidal than before. This is why the order to charge up the hill was given. As we came up the hill, the enemy archers and artillery began to fire.

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The Mongols open fire

I imagine that most who had never seen the Mongols in battle before, including me, were taken aback by the sight. I need not think of words to describe it, for the Chancellor spoke up at that very moment.

"Wow, it's beautiful. Reminds me of a snowstorm in Franconia. The arrows look just like snowflakes caught in a strong wind."

Of course, somebody from the back had to respond: "Did you have a volcano in Franconia too, or did the giant balls of fire accompany the snow from the clouds?"

Ah, nothing like humor to take your mind off the fact that your commander may be going ever so slightly insane.

We charged up the hill and attacked the Mongol center. We plowed through the infantry, we killed the lancers, we destroyed the artillery. But most of all, we collapsed around the Mongol general.

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The Mongol general is surrounded as parts of the second Mongol army closes in.

Berkei the Wrathful fell.

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The rest of the Mongol center fled. However, we had quite a problem.

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The problem.

One of the knights that had been fighting a bit further up the hill rode up to us.

"Five," he said, "five squadrons of heavy lancers up there. We lost many men, I don't think we can make it up that hill to take on five, especially under all this... aaaaaaaarrrrgghghrhhhhh!!!"

"... arrow fire, I think he meant," I added.

Five was a bit much. There wasn't complete intelligence on the enemy army composition before we set out. But, as it turned out, there were no heavy lancers in the first group, and yes, five in the second. If the situation had been reversed, this might have even worked, as we could have made a well-organized, concentrated attack. But with the army scattered and depleted, many horse archers around, and a long way, uphill, to get to them, it did seem impossible. At this stage, I wondered just how grave a situation would have to be, before the Chancellor started to begin to consider withdrawing.

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Time to make a decision.

"Well, I suppose there is no point in wasting lives. It would be difficult to fight all those lancers uphill. Let us regroup at Edessa. We shall attack those horse archers behind us on our way out."

And so it was. We attacked some horse archers that had gotten behind us, but they fled quickly, probably due to the death of their general. Once the way was clear, the infantry was sent first, and what was left with the cavalry, the Chancellor's own bodyguard, and two veteran groups of knights, covered the rear, attacking any enemy horse who dared get too close. During this, they took heavy arrow fire.

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The cavalry covers the retreat.

In the end, the Chancellor was the last to leave the field of battle.

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Fredericus exits.

Result:

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[Northnovas]

Adana 1256

It was a cool night well past the midnight hour and a soft rainfall was the only remnant of a violent storm that had passed over the fortress hours earlier.
Count Zirn was reading through Reich dispatches regarding Kaiser Jobst's heroic death and the fall out from the Electors concerning the successor to the throne.

There was a rapid knock at the door and then it immediately swung open two men rushed in Ingo and Peter. Peter was the newest member of the Count's entourage. He was a veteran warrior who brought a wealth of experience and was assisting in the organizational matters of the Count's army.

Ingo spoke first." My lord, we are being besieged the Turks are no more then several kilometers from here and have siege equipment already!"

Zirn was surprised at the level of excitement in his aides voice. " How is that possible already? We withdrew from them in the field months ago. How could they be here already and with equipment? Peter what is the standing of the fortress do we hold or sally out?"

Peter was quick with his response but nervous to the Count's reaction. "No we are not ready for a seige. I did not expect Qalawun to be here this quickly and with so many men. We are outnumbered."

"We will sally forth then, now or tonight? replied Zirn.

"In daylight!" quipped Ingo. " I know you are more experience with the night then our enemy but if we sally out at daybreak they will have little chance to properly set up"

The Count did not hesitate, " We go now, muster the men and meet at the west gate!!

The troops were awaken.

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The besieging army.

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The men were ready and at the gate as ordered. The trebuchets were ordered to stand down and two catupult units would be assigned the artillery duties. The crossbowman were assigned the walls as a reserve. The rest of the units sallied out.

"The right flank will be our objective!" shouted the Count to his captains. "I want to concentrate our force to the right." The only calvary other then the bodyguards of Zirn and Hummel were to stay to the left flank and cover for missle attacks.

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The Turks came out with their missle units of peasants and javelins. The mailed knights charged to clear them out. The infantry units moved forward attacking the right flank the catapults provided cover.

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The Counts crossbows were out of range and 2 regiments were brought off the wall and on to the field. The enemy was not pressing other then arrows and catapult fire, they did not advance.
The pressure continued on the right flank of the enemy. The Count took to his far right to support the troops. Sir Hummel moved his unit far left of the enemy. The pressure was getting intense and the enemy units were starting to falter. The Turkish General in attempt to rally his men charged out to the left flank to meet Hummel's unit.

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The fight was short has the enemy general was cut down.

The tide turned and the battle was over.

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Prisoner report

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"We have the final number lord and your wishes?" said Ingo, though knew the answer and was somehow respecting his commander after each battle.
"Release them, let them fight another day if they wish. Let them go back and report their General was killed and that their enemy is strong on the battlefield but more importantly is honourable after the fight is over; has all men of God should be."
The prisoners released and the Count made his way to report to King Salier and preparing for the next attack.

[Stig]

Placeholder for Ansehelms latest battle ... if yer interested, the other write-ups are finished

[econ21]

The Battle of the Euphrates, 1256


“Siegfried who?” asked Elberhard dumbly.

“Von Kastilien” said the mercenary Captain.

“I didn’t know the Von Kastilien’s had a Siegfried.” muttered Elberhard, bemused.

“Well, he knows about you. He’s appointed you Prinz”. retorted the Captain.

“I’m liking him already.” said Elberhard.

There was a pause: “How’s Hans taking it?”

“Young Hummel has gone rogue over the issue. Your brother’s stance could best be described as quiet fury.”

“Ouch”. said Elberhard. He knew Hans was at his most dangerous when he was silent.

“He has the backing of the Duke of Swabia. It seems your being designated heir was an attempt to appease Swabia and undermine Hans’ opposition. It is a gambit that does not appear to be working.” the Captain informed Elberhard.

Elberhard smiled :“So I’m a @#$%^&!!!ing pawn in some political game? And here was me, thinking this Siegfried fellow was impressed by my rugged good looks and administrative brilliance.” Elberhard rubbed one of the many scars on his face and gazed with disinterest at the mass of papers littering his desk. “Why the @#$%^&!!! did Jobst choose this Siegfried? And are we sure this succession is genuine?”

“No one really knows why Siegfried was chosen. It may be because he was the noble least corrupted by Diet and factional politics. The young man does seem to be honest, he is supported by members of Jobst’s entourage and no one has questioned their integrity.”

“Certainly not me, that’s for sure.” said Elberhard. “Prinz @#$%^&!!ing Elberhard: I like the sound of that.”

His father, Henry, had refused to appoint Hans as his successor because of some superstitious belief in a family curse. Elberhard was not the kind of man to let such sentiment and irrationally bother him.

*****

“Did Salier buy it?” the mercenary Captain asked the Teuton conspiratorially.

“Lock, stock and barrel: simply told Elberhard to “take them down””.

“Was he high at the time?” queried the Captain.

The Teuton wrinkled his nose at the vulgarity. “Well, he might not have fully understood what Elberhard was proposing. Elberhard merely said he wanted to hunt down a left behind rearguard.”

“He did not mention that the rearguard was still marching in close contact with the Mongol leader’s main army?”

“He may not have emphasised that point. He did throw in a casual remark about bagging a Mongol leader as a sweetener for the deal. But I am not sure Salier appreciated what is involved.”

“What, that we will be attacking one and a half Mongol armies lead by a notorious conqueror with a reputation for brutally decisive victories?” the mercenary Captain paused. “@#$%^&!! - if Salier was not stoned, Elberhard sure as @#$%^&!! is.”

The Teuton cast the Captain a condescending look - clearly some of his Master’s vices were spilling over onto his retinue.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Elberhard bites off more than he can chew.



The mighty Mongol leader Khan Batu.

[econ21]

The battle of the Euphrates, Part II


Elberhard’s army caught the Mongol rearguard at night on the southside of the Euphrates, not far from Edessa. In the moonlight, Elberhard studied the terrain. The ground was largely flat and open, but with two hills on either side - both, unfortunately for Elberhard, controlled by the Mongols. The rearguard was deployed on the smaller, eastern hill. The larger army of the Mongol leader Khan Batu was entering the battlefield spread out along in a long line to the north. The larger western hill was overseen by only three regiments of the Khan’s horse archers.

“Our only chance is to turn this offensive battle into a defensive one.” Elberhard addressed his captains. “We take one of the hills - the western one is the largest and least well defended. Then we have a good position to use our pavise crossbowmen. We are well supplied with missiles but all our other arms are rather weak. We will try to duel the horse lords at range with our crossbows, support them with our armoured sergeants. We will keep the knights to the rear - only they have the morale and prowess to defeat the horse lords when it comes to melee. We cannot allow them to be worn down by missile fire or caught on the wrong foot by lancers.”

“You want to enter an archery contest with the Mongols?” the Mercenary Captain asked, incredulously.

Elberhard winced: “Look, Kachig, no one said this was going to be @#$%^&!!!ing easy.”

Kachig Iskyan, the Mercenary Captain, muttered something under his breath about Elberhard’s disingenuous approach to King Salier for authorisation for the attack, but Elberhard chose not to hear his remarks.

“Our pavise crossbowmen have powerful, long ranged bows.” Elberhard said exasperated. “They are protected by chain hauberks and hide behind @#$%^&!!!ing enormous shields. By contrast, the horse lords sit wearing furs on top of their mounts making @#$%^&!!!ing great targets and pluck away with silly little bows made of bone and horn. We can take them!”

The mercenary Captain rolled his eyes at his general’s ignorance, real or feigned.

“Captain, I know your Armenians do not have the same advantages as my pavise crossbows but they are valuable all the same. I want them to use fire arrows. They may put a dent in the ferocity of these devils. And anyway, this is going to be a long drawn out affair - we can afford to reduce our rate of fire.”

Elberhard turned his attention to his German captains:

“We will deploy in loose order: everyone, even the mounted knights. The horse lords will not close to melee unless we force the issue. Moreover, I want us to adopt a narrow formation. We will march three regiments abreast for the western hill. A more extended formation will risk the Mongols bringing the battle to us in the valley. I want two regiments of pavise crossbowmen assigned to guard the eastern flank.”

Elberhard smiled with self-satisfaction: “I am calling my battle order a loose order phalanx - it might just be a first in military history.”

Kachig spoke up one last time: “The horse lords do not just have archers, my Prinz. Khan Batu rides with five regiments of heavy lancers plus his own formidable escort of veterans. If they charge your “loose order phalanx”, they will rip through it.”

Elberhard fixed the shrewd Armenian with a sharp glance: “Well, we’ll just have to hope they don’t do that then, won’t we?”

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Elberhard’s “loose order” phalanx heads for the western hill. The Khan’s flanking regiments of horse archers abandon the hill without a contest, as the Mongol leader’s army takes up position with the rearguard on the eastern hill.

*****

As Elberhard’s army approached the brow of the western hill, the Prinz belatedly noticed a large body of Mongols approaching his eastern flank at speed.

“Deploy archers and cavalry to protect the flank!” Elberhard ordered. “But keep the main body moving north - we must secure the hill”

The enemy approached with startling speed. While the flanking unit of Teutons was retiring from behind a screen of pavisiers, it suffered six casualties to the deadly fire of the Mongol horse archers. There then developed an indecisive exchange of fire between the horse archers and the pavisiers. Neither had much of an advantage, although on occasion the Mongols would form Cantabrian circles, almost impervious to missile fire. Elberhard countered by using his knights to charge the circles - not with any realistic hope of catching the fleet hooved horse archers, but merely to force them to adopt a formation that was easier for his crossbows to target.

This exchange continued for a while, but soon Elberhard could make out a larger body of Mongols approach, including infantry and war engines. Elberhard would later realise that this must have been the bulk of the Mongol rearguard, but why the Khan had sent this smaller body ahead and stayed behind with his much larger army, Elberhard would never understand. Nontheless, this was the opening Elberhard had been hoping for. For all his bravado, the Germans could get no decisive advantage out of a missile duel with the Mongols. Nor could they hope to catch the Mongol horse archers. However, Mongol infantry and war engines were something that Teutonic chivalry could handle.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Mongol rearguard approaches. In the foreground, a Mongol Cantrabrian circle is being disrupted by a score of Feudal knights.

Elberhard sat straight, tense in his saddle, barking out orders.

“Teutons, both regiments, charge the two flanks. My escort will take the center. For God and for the Reich, CHARGE!”

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Mongol rearguard approaches too close to the German line.




The Teutons make the Mongol foot pay for their mistake.




Following in the questionable military tradition of his father, Elberhard opens the battle by charging into the fray.

Although there could be little doubt as to the outcome of the uneven contest, the Mongol foot fought bravely against the mounted German knights. The two sides seemed locked in melee for several minutes and it was with surprise that Elberhard finally could see the way suddenly open. He looked around. Where had the Mongols gone? A few lone figures were scampering away down the hill, but most of the enemy lay beneath the German horses. They had died almost to a man. His gaze turned to the Mongol war machines. Having learned of the demise of the Kaiser to such beasts, Elberhard was determined that they would not be allowed to add their demoralising firepower to that of the massed Mongol archers. Deprived of infantry and cavalry support, Elberhard imagined that the machines would be easy meat for his knights. Incredulously, he saw the crew of one of a Mongol rocket charging, swords razed towards the Teutons. Elberhard shook his head in amazement.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

After bitter fighting, the Germans rout the foot of the rearguard army and take their war machines.

But this brief victory was far from decisive. A mass of Mongol horse archers still remained close by, now focusing their fire on the exposed German mounted knights rather than the well protected pavisiers.

“Pull back! Pull back, God damn it!” Elberhard screamed at his cavalry.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The victorious Teutons beat a hasty retreat under the withering fire of the Mongol horse archers.

The battle now returned to a long missile duel between pavisier and horse archer.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The mid portion of the battle: pavisier versus horse archer.

Again, the Mongols occasionally formed Cantabrian circles to try to disrupt the aim of the German crossbowmen. Again, Elberhard used cavalry charges to break up such formations. Soon the score of Feudal knights were all lost to such manoeuvres, so Elberhard increasingly relied on his own escort - better armoured and more skilled than any others of his army. They did their job, allowing the pavisiers to do terrible damage to the Mongol horse archers, but were left exhausted and depleted by their repeated charges.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Mongols attempt to form a vast Cantabrian circle. Elberhard rides to disrupt it.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the pavisiers secured the upper hand in the missile exchanges.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

In the protracted exchange of fire, Elberhard later learnt that the Captain leading the Mongol rearguard army had fallen.

As the enemy horse archers slowly melted away, Elberhard could take some satisfaction in the progress of the battle. His men were now well positioned on the western hill. The enemy rearguard army had been crushed, its war machines silenced and the horse archers, the mainstay of the Mongol armies, bested. However, his scouts reported the foot and heavy cavalry of the Khan’s army waiting, patient and well rested, on the reverse of the eastern hill now facing Elberhard’s own position. Elberhard could not help feeling he had only done the easy part.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Khan Batu waits for Elberhard to advance

[econ21]

The Battle of the Euphrates, Part III


Having disposed of the Mongol rearguard and horse archers, the German pavise crossbowmen were now exhausted and down to around two thirds of their strength. Elberhard struggled to array his loose order formations on the western hill. While he could time the charge of an individual regiment well, his skill at ordering large scale manoeuvres of many regiments was very limited. Under his command, an army moved in stops and starts, with frequent disruption and breaks in formation or exposed facing. Under the moonlight, Khan Batu must have spotted some weakness in Germans clumsy attempts to consolidate their position on the hill. Elberhard barely had time to notice the enemy advance before the Mongols were right in front of his lines.

“Push forward the regiments of armoured sergeants to protect the pavisiers!” Elberhard barely had time to prepare.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Germans are still in loose order as the Mongol Khan’s main force advances upon them

“My lord, the spearmen are still in loose formation!” cried Kachig Iskyan, Elberhard’s mercenary Captain.

Elberhard stood still, like a toad caught in the gaze of an approaching snake. In truth, there was little he could do. He had only three regiments of armoured spearmen against five regiments of heavy lancers. In loose order, they could cover his front - in close order, the enemy cavalry would exploit the holes in his lines, tear into his archers and rip apart the sergeants from the flanks. Besides, the enemy were too close. The spearmen were hunkered down, facing the enemy, braced for impact. To attempt to reform the line under the nose of the massed Mongol heavy cavalry would be suicide. The spearmen would buy him time - if they stalled the Mongols, the German knights, on foot and mounted, would be able to assist and perhaps turn the tide.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

What they lack in subtlety, the Mongol heavy cavalry make up in ferocity and numbers.

Elberhard did not watch the terrible impact, as five regiments of Mongol heavy cavalry smashed into his three regiments of sergeants in loose order. Instead, he screamed orders.

“Cavalry - ride! Go for the flanks or rear, if you can.

Foot knights - forward! The sergeants cannot hold for long.

All archers - aim for the Khan, bring him down!”

Jan Lowenthal, the Teuton who normally accompanied Elberhard, had joined the northern most regiment of order knights. Taking his cue from the Prinz, he led his men at speed, right behind the line of Mongol heavy cavalry, which was now locked in combat with the German foot. Lances down, the Teutons slammed into the rear of one regiment of Mongol heavy lancers.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Jan leads the Teutons in a charge into the enemy rear that is spectacularly successful, for a brief time.

But the Teutons nemesis was fast approaching. The Mongol Khan and his escort had remained in reserve, but Jan’s audacious charge was too much of a provocation. While Elberhard screamed at his archers to fire at the Khan’s escort, it remorsely manoeuvred to the rear of the Teutons and performed a devastating charge that exactly mirrored what the Teutons themselves had performed only minutes before. Jan fell unconscious in the melee, but few of the other Order knights were so lucky. Soon both regiments of Teutons had been eliminated in hard fighting against the Mongol heavy lancers.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Elberhard’s own counter-charge against the Mongol assault is a more conventional frontal attack.

Slowly, inexorably, the sheer weight and prowess of the Mongol heavy cavalry started to tell. German regiments of foot began to break - first, the town militia, then the sergeants, then the foot knights. What had hitherto been a promising German success was now turning in favour of the Mongols.

Elberhard looked around in desperation. Defeat now seemed inevitable - he simply lacked the numbers to defeat the Mongols. Only one chance remained - to kill the Khan. The Prinz fixed on the enemy leader, his escort sorely depleted from the concentrated fire of seven regiments of Gerrman missiles.

“With me! With me!” he called out to his last remaining mounted regiment - a unit of mailed knights - as he spurred his horse towards the enemy faction leader.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

His army dissolving around him, Elberhard has only one card left to play - decapitation of the enemy army.

After destroying Jan’s Teutons, the Khan had shifted to the opposite flank of the line - to where a regiment of dismounted Imperial knights still remained in strength, now locked in combat with the Mongol foot. As the heavy lancers were wilted down, more and more regiments of Mongol infantry and even Mongol foot archers entered melee. On the German side, most regiments of crossbowmen had been frittered away to below half strength - decimated either by Mongol lancers who had broken into the rear or shot down by the Mongol foot. The Khan fought ferociously, but gradually was left alone, hacking amidst the infantry.

“Take him down! Take him down!” Elberhard screamed, spurring his horse through the infantry battle, trying to reach the Khan.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Khan at bay.

The mailed knights reached the Khan first, but were no match for his skill and valour. As German casualties mounted, Elberhard shouted for the mailed knights to make way for the veterans of his escort:

“Fall back - get out of there! He’s mine!”

But the Prinz then watched with horror, as the Khan spurred his fine charger in pursuit of the retiring mailed knights, cutting them down with merciless skill.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Scarcely visible in the limited moonlight, the Khan lays about the retreating German mailed knights. He kills a dozen in a minute or two.

In frustration, Elberhard was forced to rescind his order for the mailed knights to withdraw: “Stand and fight - he is only one man!”

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Khan dies in sight of Elberhard’s banner.

Although Elberhard expected the death of their khan, their faction leader, would cause a rout in the enemy ranks, he was to be sorely disappointed. The Mongol cavalry were now all dead or wounded. But seven regiments of Mongol foot remained steady. For the Germans, Elbehard could count only a score of mounted knights, a strong regiment of dismounted Imperial knights and two bands of unhorsed crusader knights. Desperately, the Prinz led his surviving cavalry in charging the flank of the Mongol infantry locked in combat with the dismounted Imperial knights. He hoped the shock of such an assault, in the wake of the Khan’s death, might unhinge the Mongol army.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Elberhard tries a last charge to break the enemy.

But it was not to be. The Mongol foot were too determined and the German cavalry too few. The final struggle took place around the deserted war engines of the now destroyed Mongol rearguard. There, the last viable German regiment - a group of dismounted Imperial knights - fought a losing battle against the Mongol infantry.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The German cavalry is reduced to nothing and the dismounted Imperial knights begin to break.

Of Elberhard’s escort, only his mercenary captain, Kachig Iskyan remained. He grabbed the reigns of Elberhard’s horse.

“Sire, you must withdraw! You are the Prinz now. With Kaiser Jobst recently defeated and the succession in question, the Reich cannot afford to lose you. There is more at stake here than your honour.”

Elberhard looked at the Armenian with empty eyes. Although dauntless, he could see that staying would achieve no more than the Khan had achieved through his own ferocious bravery. Were Elberhard to fall, and lose the battle, any glory from slaying the Mongol faction leader would be gone. If the battle must be lost, there was no reason to compound the defeat by sacrificing his own life.

Elberhard looked at the half dozen mailed knights still remaining, fighting hopelessly against the massed Mongol infantry. Around 400 enemy foot remained.

“Cavalry! Fall back! Withdraw!” he shouted.

“What about the archers?” said Kachig, with concern.

“@#$%^&!!! them. They are paid to fight and kill. They stay and fight to the last man.”

Elberhard closed his eyes to the pleading stare of his captain. Tears welled up and the Prinz tried to steady his cracking voice:

“This battle was never about my lust for battle, my quest for honour or glory, Captain. It was about butchery. Outremer is our land. Thanks to Salier and the Chancellor, we have many castles and cities, pouring out regiment after regiment. The Mongols have none. We can afford to bleed. It is the only way. Salier knows it, the Chancellor knows it. I did not hoodwink them to take this battle - they know the stakes and how to win.”

Kachig nodded, but inwardly despaired - what had he led his poor Armenian lads into? This total war of the Prinz was not the way of the mercenary.

Reluctantly, the two riders turned their backs on the battle and began to canter away from the battle - all the while, the arrows of the Mongol foot archers clattering around them, striking down two of the remaining mailed knights. Elberhard cast a look behind him. The dismounted Imperial knights, his last remaining formation, were routing. Down to one third strength, they had abandoned the captured enemy war machines. All that remained, standing were a few pockets of pavise crossbowmen and Armenian archers, bravely obeying their orders to keep firing and fight to the death.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Everything lost, Elberhard begins to withdraw from the battle.

Once Elberhard had retired beyond archery range of the Mongols, he turned back to observe the dying embers of the battle. Incredibly, the dismounted Imperial knights had rallied. Elberhard watched, his heart bursting with hope and admiration as the stalwart warriors repulsed first one, then another charge by the Mongol infantry. It was happening - at last, it was happening. The Mongols were wavering. Their charges were piecemeal, their men wavering before they had even made contact. The death of the Khan, the terrible losses of the battle, exhaustion and the continual fire of arbalest bolts and flaming arrows were all taking their toll on the enemy.

Elberhard spurred back to the hill. “Concentrate fire on the enemy around the war machines!” he called to his remaining archers. “Support the knights!”

One group of pavise crossbowmen had exhausted their ammunition.

“Draw swords - join the knights!” Elberhard instructed them, and then he rode down in advance of their approach. Only a score foot knights remained, but these were well armoured men who had devoted their life to combat. Hope remained.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

As if to mark the rekindling of hope in the German ranks, one of the Mongol trebuchets erupted into flame.

When he reached the dismounted Imperial knights, Elberhard called out to them and the three mounted mailed knights who remained:

“@#$%^&!!! this @#$%^&!!!.” he roared. “This @#$%^&!!! ends now. Take them down, lads!”

The exhausted German knights did not cheer, but merely snarled in agreement and advanced on the wavering Mongol infantry.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The second Mongol trebuchet catches fire as the rallied Imperial knights rout the remaining Mongol infantry.

The enemy did not stand, but scattered

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Elberhard entered the battle with twenty regiments - by its end, he has the equivalent of barely one and a half.

After the battle, there were precious few enemy prisoners - as Elberhard dourly remarked, arrows take no prisoners. As almost all those taken were infantry, the Prinz had little compunction about offering them for ransom - it was not their infantry that had earned the horse lords their reputation as supreme warriors. Sadly, the new Mongol faction leader had similarly little compunction about declining the ransom - he could see no merit in being reminded of the men who had earned disgrace by failing to protect his predecessor.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The butcher’s bill.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Outside Aleppo, 1260

The Horse Lords had swung south. After battling Fredricus von Hamburg and Prinz Elberhard with little to show for it, two large armies of theirs remained. They had two options: Push west and head for Antioch with a showdown with Conrad Salier at the crossing near the city, or swing south and threaten Aleppo along with Prinz Elberhard. Returning east was never a choice.

Eventually, they chose the option that allowed them to get revenge on the man who mauled an army and a half of theirs earlier on: Prinz Elberhard. However, there was just one problem: They never got to the Prinz. Conrad Salier had marched his force east and was about to engage the Army of the Khan with the Prinz’s men in support. The Khanzada, Orda, and his significant army were too far away to assist. Finally, the Reich was about to go into battle with a numerical advantage.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Conrad Salier absentmindedly fiddled with the armor around his right leg. The leg had suffered a deep cut some years ago during an attempt on Conrad’s life, and had not been right ever since. Some days, the pain was almost nonexistent, only a minor twinge. Today, however, was not one of those days. He would most likely have to adjust the armor many times today, should he be fortunate enough not to be needed personally.

He looked up, and then blinked in surprise. The weather, previously being only cloudy, had turned to rain.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

“Rain in the desert?” He turned to the closest man in his escort. “What do you suppose this means?”

“I don’t know,” the man laughed. “You’re the religious nut around here.”

At initial glance, the rain appeared to be a good omen. The Horse Lords were, of course, outnumbered and they seemed to be caught unaware of this fact. They were in a valley in a position that was extremely vulnerable to flanking. If they didn’t adjust, Elberhard would come in from the west and smash them all.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

“They’ll adjust,” Conrad said, “but let’s not give them much time to. All units advance! Crossbows, you know what to do when you get in range! Don’t use fire arrows, they won’t be of any use in this rain!”

The men advanced, following the King of Outremer’s orders to the letter. The majority were disciplined, professional troops that knew exactly what they were doing. The ones that weren’t were smart enough to follow the lead of the professionals.

As predicted, the Khan had sorted his army out before Conrad could get his men into a melee. The crossbowmen got a few volleys in before the Mongol archers started firing back, but neither were to little effect. The Horse Lords had very rarely met rain along their long marches, and the Imperial crossbows, while standard throughout the Empire, didn’t fare much better.

“We pin them in place here, boys! Pin them, hold them, kill them, and Elberhard will sweep them from the field when he gets up! You-“ Conrad ducked to avoid an incoming arrow- “You know who to kill first!”

The previous night, while Conrad had gone over reports of past battles with the Horse Lords, he had come up with a strategy. The one thing that they all seemed to have in common was that the Imperial generals had not touched the heavy Mongol cavalry until the very end of the battle, providing for some messy finishes. If we take those Lancers out early, Conrad thought, then they won’t have any striking power later on. With that strategy in mind, Conrad informed his officers of the plan of action. The message worked its way down to the regular soldiers, as the Imperial advance ignored the missile cavalry and infantry.

The Heavy Lancers took the bait and charged, thus beginning the first part of the melee. German knights, both mounted and dismounted, rushed forward to do battle with their target.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The fight quickly became vicious. The Heavy Lancers were used to coming in only at the end of the battle, when the enemy was tired out and numerically weak. Here, in the pouring desert rain, they were facing a fresh foe, and their strain was clearly showing.

Despite that, however, they were still making a terrific effort of driving off the Imperial forces. Conrad found himself ordering more and more regiments forward in an attempt to destroy the Lancers. Meanwhile, the Khan began to order his lighter cavalry into the fray, further burdening the Germans.

The field quickly began to become wet from the rain and the blood. Men slipped and were, as a result, trampled. Most of Conrad’s army was now committed to the current fight. The Lancers were finally diminished, most just dying in the battle. The Imperials had no rest, however, as there were always more men to take the place of the Heavy Lancers. Conrad began to search the field for the Khan’s bodyguard, aiming to kill him and demoralize the army. But the Khan was not stationary. He was moving from one side of the field to the other, charging the enemy and then quickly withdrawing, only to charge further along the line.

“Pin the Khan!” Conrad screamed. “If he charges you, keep him there! I will flank him and kill him!” Conrad started riding around desperately, marking his opposite’s position. With the Lancers out of the picture his men were killing more, but there were so many Horse Lords and the Khan wasn’t taking the bait…

“There they are, men! C’mon, let’s kick the @#$%^&!!!ers in the @#$%^&!!! and drink in the rain! CHARGE!!!”

Even in the din of battle, Conrad could still clearly make out Elberhard’s colorful orders. He breathed a sign of relief. Things were about to get a lot easier.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Prinz Elberhard and his men arrive. The Horse Lords, having fought Conrad’s army to a standstill, are ill-equipped to deal with a second army.

Elberhard’s men quickly spread out, plugged gaps in the Imperial line, and began to engage the Horse Lords on two sides. Taking the initiative, Conrad ordered his escort to charge the Khan, who was about to be wrapped up in an engagement. He arrived slightly before the reinforcements did, and accordingly felt the full fury of the Khan’s personal escort.

Some of his men had fought in Italy, Jerusalem, and Antioch, but nothing prepared them for this. Conrad watched as his men went down, taking only a handful of Horse Lords with them. He parried a blow aimed for him, adjusted the armor on his leg, and then roared in fury, trying to even the odds.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

After what seemed like an eternity, the pressure on them was eased. Elberhard’s men had personally joined the duel between commanders. Having the numerical advantage, his men turned on the Khan’s and began killing them in earnest. Elberhard pulled Conrad aside.

“Right boss, good job here with this part of the battle. You made ‘em bleed, by @#$%^&!!!, and that’s the toughest part of the whole @#$%^&!!! I guess you haven’t been following recent developments?”

Conrad shook his head ‘no.’

“I figured that,” Elberhard said. “Trying to kill the Khan and all. Well anyway, we’ve bagged most of ‘em. There’s one decent side of resistance we still have to deal with, and that’s a @#$%^&!!!load of light cavalry on your left flank.”

“Do we have anybody on it right now?”

This time Elberhard shook his head. “I brought this Franconian fellow along, Dieter Bresch, to try to get him knighted but the old @#$%^&!!! is taking them all on himself! Can you believe the @#$%^&!!!s of that guy? I figure if he doesn’t get help soon he’s gonna get gutted. Mind ordering some of your boys to help him out? We’ll finish up over here.”

Conrad nodded and motioned to his men. Eager to get out of the mess with the Khan, they turned and rode to the left, yelling at unoccupied Imperials along the way. When they arrived at the point of engagement, some men groaned. Dieter Bresch had gotten himself into a tricky spot indeed.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

“Come on men, he needs our help NOW! Charge!!!”

Conrad’s men slammed into the Horse Lords’ flank but in their diminished state, accomplished little. The Mongol cavalry simply absorbed the blow and engulfed Conrad’s escort along with Dieter’s.

Both escorts fought desperately not to drown in the sea of Horse Lords. Killing came easier than it did with the Khan’s men, but there was the eternal problem of there always being more men to attack. Conrad looked up in the rain and silently began to pray, continuing to strike down his enemies, but weakening quickly.

“Teutons coming now, sir!”

Conrad looked around wildly. A group of Teutonic Knights and other Imperial cavalry were thundering to the melee. His prayers were answered. For the second time the pressure was eased off of his men.

Captain Rolf, leader of the Teutonic Knights, approached Conrad. “My King, it’s time you got out of this,” he said. “Do not further endanger yourself.” Conrad looked around at what remained of his escort. Seeing the condition they were in, he complied and extricated himself from the battle. Looking around, he saw that Dieter and his men had done the same.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

After taking a minute to catch his breath, Conrad looked to see how things were going on the right. He didn’t look long to hear a great cheer coming from that direction. He supposed that Elberhard had completed his mission.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

As the fight dragged on, he saw a force carrying Elberhard’s colors coming in his direction. Eventually the Prinz’s escort came to the edge of the fighting, but did not enter it. Instead, Elberhard held up a decapitated head on his sword.

“Hey, you @#$%^&!!!s! Here’s what’s become of your Khan!”

The rout was instantaneous. The Prinz rode up to the King, grinning.

“Well, that certainly helped,” Conrad said.

“Figured it might. C’mon boss, let’s go hunt down these routers.” He spurned his horse in the opposite direction, and Conrad did the same, officially finishing the battle that rainy day.

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That night, as Conrad was flexing his bad leg, a man handed him a piece of parchment containing the official casualty reports.

Not too shabby, he thought. One more army to go. One to go.

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[econ21]

The battle of Hamburg, 1260

The Kaiser’s tutor placed the three tankards of ale on the tavern table. The portly merchant grabbed his tankard eagerly and drank it greedily. The knight was more leisurely, savouring his drink like it was his last on earth.

“Well, thank you again, gentlemen, for agreeing to meet with me. As the Kaiser’s tutor, my place is not on the battlefield but I am most anxious to hear your reports of our liege’s great victory.

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The tutor raised his tankard and the knight met it with the assured movement of one who has seen many toasts to Kaiser and to victory. The merchant looked surprised for a moment and then hurriedly raised his own drink, spilling some in the process.

“So, gentlemen, let me begin by establishing precisely where in the line you were positioned when the battle began?”

“Kaiser’s escort, extreme right flank.” muttered the knight.

“The extreme right flank?” queried the tutor. “That is rather an unorthodox place to establish a command post, is it not? How could the Kaiser expect to control the army from that position?”

“The Imperial army is a professional outfit. Its general staff can maintain command and communication with ease.” growled the knight.

“Are you saying that Siegfried was not personally in command of the battle?” pressed the tutor.

“I am saying no such thing.” snapped the knight. “The victory is his and his alone.”

“So if the Kaiser was on the right flank, who commanded the reserve cavalry?” the tutor inquired.

The merchant jumped into the conversation eagerly: “That was us! I mean, the Hamburg militia cavalry. We were given the honour of being the last reserve of the Reich!”

The knight shook his head, muttering: ”Told to keep out of it and avoid hurting themselves, more like.”

The merchant heard the caustic aside and bridled: “Nonsense! We were the first in action!”

The tutor looked surprised and turned inquiringly to the knight.

“It is true.” admitted the knight. “The thing was, we were at a stand-off. The Danes had deployed in a solid formation, fronted by crossbows and backed by many siege engines. We could have attacked frontally, and with them lacking cavalry, the end would not be in doubt. But there would have been considerable losses.”

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Danish opening deployment.

“Oh yes!” said the merchant, gravely. “No doubt the Kaiser was thinking of his last encounter with the Danes, when an enemy siege engine sent poor Kaiser Jobst to a fiery death.”

“So the Kaiser ordered the left to attempt a flanking manoeuvre.” interjected the knight.

“I see” said the tutor. “Like the opening in a chess game, the Kaiser had to make a move to break the stalemate. Not to win the game outright by one stroke, but to force the opponent to move and make a mistake.”

“Aye” said the knight, looking at the tutor with new found appreciation. “And make a mistake the Danes did. They responded by a frontal advance with their crossbowmen. But it was bizarre. They formed up and halted just out of range of their bows, while our pavisse crossbowmen - with their more powerful bows - could pick them off at ease.”

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Inexplicably, the Danish crossbowmen halt still out of range with their own bows, but in range of the superior German arbalests.

“But how was the Danish advance a response to our flanking manoeuvre?” queried the tutor.

“Well, they did send one regiment of crossbowmen to try to shoot up the flanking column” answered the merchant excitedly. “And that is where we came in! We were ordered to run down that regiment!”

The merchant sat back, proudly: “I have never felt so alive as when I was in that charge today!”

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Every portly merchant will have his day.

“Or close to death, I’ll wager?” commented the tutor.

The merchant did not seriously dissent. “Well, to be honest, that fear came somewhat later. You see, by the time we had caught most of the crossbowmen, we were almost in the enemy main battle line. I thought we would pull out, return to our position as central reserve. But we were ordered to continue on - to charge the enemy siege engines!”

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Supported by two regiments of Teutons from the flanking force, the merchant cavalry cut into the enemy siege train. The engines are unable to fire a single shot in the battle, such is the speed and violence of their destruction.

“Pulling out would have been more dangerous.” observed the knight. “Few peasant crossbowmen would feel any compunction about shooting retreating cavalry in the back. Charging deeper in was the safest course of action.”

The merchant was staring into his ale, as if reliving some trauma. He nodded: “Yes, yes. I am sure you are right. But it was terrible. You could hear a hiss of air as you hacked into the Danish artillerymen. The enemy fought bravely, but it was butcher’s work.”

“So, how did the enemy react?” said the tutor. “Did their battle line turn and try to destroy our cavalry that was causing havoc in their rear?”

The knight shook his head: “The fools reacted by advancing upon us.”

“What?!” said the tutor. “They are flanked, under fire from our superior archery and our cavalry is raising havoc in their rear… and they march forward to attack us in the centre?!”

“Aye, they may have been lacking in a grasp of basic tactics, but you can’t fault them for bravery.” sighed the knight.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The enemy army advances on the main German battle line.

“So, the outcome was never in doubt?” asked the tutor.

“No” said the knight. “There was a tense moment, on the right, when a regiment of dismounted Danish foot knights set about some of our sergeants. But we, the Kaiser’s escort, managed to get back to support the line just in time. Even their knights had had enough - the enemy routed as soon as we were among them.”

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Siegfried’s escort take out the most dangerous enemy regiment.

“And what about the sword staff militia? How did they perform in the battle?” queried the tutor.

The merchant spoke up: “Ah yes, those fellows - most imposing in their plate armour and those formidable looking polearms! But they manoeuvred so slowly ...”

”Militia.” the knight muttered under his breath.

“There was a lull in my regiment’s action and I saw the whole thing. Teutons managed to catch them in the flank. When they broke, the battle was over…” the merchant looked pale. “Well, apart from the hacking and screaming and all.”

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The sword staff militia are braced, but facing the wrong way.

“And finally, what happened to the enemy prisoners?” asked the tutor.

“Ransomed.” said the knight. “The Kaiser was preoccupied with matters in the Diet. He let the general staff deal with the prisoners. They did not want to give the Kaiser an unwanted reputation for chivalry or dread, so they took the safe option of ransoming the prisoners.”

“Yes, yes!” jumped in the merchant. “We received 3425 florins in ransom - not bad for one day’s work, what?!”

“But you may well have to face those 700 men you let go again in battle.” suggested the tutor.

The knight shrugged, dismissively. “After today’s performance, that holds no fear. Let them come.”

The merchant looked less confident, but nodded in agreement and looked at the tutor. “Another ale, perhaps?”

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The butcher’s bill