The Battle of the Moselle, 1096

My lord Hugues was. . .indisposed after returning to his army. The election for Seneschal had sapped his strength and wine cellar. He proved difficult to rouse when Captain Hans decided to attack. He muttered something about being left alone, and that the stupid Germans should try something different, but eventually mounted his horse after having some fortified wine.

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We were outnumbered again and had little foot, but we were defending a ford. My lord was concerned that he did not have enough spearmen to hold it. He was quite put out that he had to use peasants in the front line.

The bowmen were put on a small hillock to the left, and my lord, Thomas de Saint-Amand and Bertin de Montsault were behind the infantry.

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All the German foot crossed at once.

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The lines met. Our infantry held and perfomed well against the water logged and bottled in enemy.

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But sheer numbers began to tell. Seeing that the German Captain and the rest of the cavalry was crossing, the Duc decided to act. While Bertin chased down some archers who had already routed, My lord and Thomas charged into the fray to hold the line.

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It was a close fought scrum at this time. German Mounted Sergeants managed to turn our right flank. Disaster loomed.

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But thankfully, Bertin decided to break off his pursuit of the bowmen and counter-charge the flankers.

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Their light cavalry broke almost instantly. Captain Hans fell in the crush as Bertin continued his charge into the melee.

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German morale collapsed and they ran for their lives.

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Victory was ours. (OOC: Despite the obvious sun in the sky, this played like a night battle. My peasant archers defaulted to flame arrows and Hugues picked up the nightfighter trait. Plus the game auto-released the prisoner without giving me a choice.)

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