Battle Reports Thread: King of the Franks game

[_Tristan_]

Are you man enough to take on Mandorf ?

East of Frankfurt, 1098

Prologue

The camp had been laid for a week under the walls of Frankfurt before Philippe took notice of it. There were lots of campfires and from the city walls Philippe could hear raucous laughter and the cat-calls of camp-followers… The language used by the men was guttural and he would almost have believed these men to be part of the Imperial army if not for the lack of order and the absence of a siege.

Inquiries made through Tancrède informed him that the men were soldiers of fortune, without employers and spending their hard-earned money in the taverns and brothels of the city…They had not yet become trouble but they would soon when their stipends ran out…
“Fetch their captain or whoever claims to have some power over these men, Tancrède…” Philippe told his aide de camp one evening “A few words with him could profit both parties…”

“Oui, mon Roi” Tancrède said with a bow, leaving the room, the noise of his armour echoing down the corridors as he went looking for the mercenary leader.

The next day, Philippe was just finishing breakfast when Tancrède ushered in the room a tall and gaunt man in a padded leather jerkin of good quality, a boiled leather cap on his head and a helmet under his arm.

“Mon Roi, I hope I’m not disturbing you” Tancrède said “But you wanted to see the captain as soon as possible…”

“Yes…” Philippe answered, wiping his hands with a piece of linen.



Looking at the man, gauging him, Philippe liked what he saw. The man was proud yet respectful of who he was facing though not afraid like so many others.

“Tell me you name, captain.”

“Ich bin Urs Graf, mein König…” The man’s speech faltered at that point, seeing the look on Philippe’s face…”Forgive me, Mon Roi… German is my mother’s tongue… I revert to it sometimes…”

“And where do you hail from, Urs Graf?” Philippe asked

“From Switzerland, mon Roi… I am what we call a Reislaüf… A soldier of fortune… Un mercenaire…”

“Have you some authority over the men camping under the walls, Graf?”

“Yes” Urs nodded “though only two companies are under my orders… Both are companies of spearmen and some of the finest to be found this far north… The remainder of the men is Italian crossbowmen and they have their own captain… I believe they may be responsible for most of the diseases spreading among the city’s whores.”

“Spearmen, you say?” Philippe inquired, interested.

“Yes, Swiss mountain men, the hardiest men you can find…” Urs said proudly. “We were until a few weeks ago in the employ of an Imperial Duke but with the turmoil you’ve sent the Reich into, he wouldn’t give us our pay for the next months so… We thought it was time to leave and seek employment elsewhere.”
“You may have to seek no further, Herr Graf… With the newly elected Kaiser running through Franconia, terrorizing the peasantry, seizing the crops and cattle or burning them, I may have soon need of some soldats professionnels. My scouts have reported that a lot of mounted knights ride with Maximilian’s army and I may have need of your men to tilt the balance in our favour… But are you man enough to take on Mandorf ?”

“Pfah… He’s nothing… Your own son has already taught him a lesson, he should have learned not to cross again into Your Majesty’s lands.”

“On this we already have an agreement, Herr Graf… One last thing you should know before you accept my offer of employment : if ever we ride against Maximilian, we will be clearly outnumbered and we will have to marshal our strength and our valour if we wish to succeed…”

“Expect no less from your Swiss spearmen, mon Roi…” Urs claimed, his eyes already glittering, whether from the lust for battle or the lust for gold was a question left unanswered to Philippe.

The Players :



The Battle :

All day, the King and the Knights of the Order had ridden through Franconia, following in the wake of destruction left by the passing of Maximilian army. Farms burning, peasants caught in the field hanging from the branches of trees, cattle slaughtered in their pastures…

But the German ost remained elusive…

Philippe’s anger grew with each hour that passed and each minute that brought them nearer to the fall of night. Already, torches were being distributed among the men. Philippe rather liked the dark… It had always helped him in his victories but he also knew the added risks… Friends confusing you for enemies, companies getting lost, horses tripping in unseen holes or on hidden roots… Still, in Philippe’s mind, night brought its own splendor to the grisly business of war…

His reverie was suddenly broken by the thudding of hooves heading fast towards the advancing line of the French army through the plain. Orders were already being issued down the line, stopping the men in their tracks. To his left, Philippe could barely see the retinues of Neufville and Montferrat, while to his right he could discern the movement of the men of Mauvoisin and Montpierre.

Turning in his saddle, he could see the companies he had brought from Paris, men who had been with him since the beginning of his campaign, and among them the newly added companies of Swiss mercenaries on whose spear-points the light of torches reflected, like will-o’-the wisps.

The rider reined in his horse in front of Philippe’s retinue and saluted, trying to catch his breath, while his nervous horse struck the mud with his hooves.

After waiting for a sign from Philippe, the man spoke up “We’ve sighted them, Mon Roi… They were encamped in yonder forest but we’ve roused them now and they’ve taken up position in front of the treeline. Lots of archers, mon Roi… You can almost see their torches from here… Lots of mounted knights as well… From what we’ve gathered, Kaiser Maximilian is seconded by General Tancred von Heidelberg. They’ve taken up positions behind their lines, mon Roi.”

Having listened to the rest of the scout report, Philippe called for his horse and jumped in his saddle, followed by his whole retinue, as well as the Order knights.

“The new Kaiser has apparently learnt from the mistakes of his predecessor. He won’t march against us. Let me tell you : Kings do not like to wait… So I think we shouldn’t make him wait… We will march… And we will shock them !!”

Hurrahs came out of the hundreds throats surrounding Philippe.

“Urs” Philippe called to the mercenary captain responsible for the infantry “You’ll line up the men here and provide covering fire should they decide to give pursuit after the charge, understood ?”

“Jawohl, mein König” answered the captain, a mischievous smile on his lips, having learnt l how Philippe disliked hearing the German tongue, and thus demonstrating his free spirit.

Philippe then turned to the Order Captain. “Captain, we ride !”

As one the French knights turned their mounts towards the Imperial battle line, exchanging words above the thunder of their horses’ hooves, choosing the targets of their charge.



Imperial archers prepared to let loose a volley as the French knights drew near, King Philippe the foremost, while the spearmen braced for the impact.


They only managed to let loose a single volley before the horses were upon them and they retreated to the relative safety of the spearwall.



Almost all of the Imperial archers were killed in that first charge.



As was expected, the Kaiser ordered his men forward in pursuit of Philippe and his knights, who drove them towards their own battle line.



General Tancred von Heidelberg was killed, when separated from the main body of the Reich’s army, killed by the first volleys of bolts and arrows from the French army.




The Kaiser himself didn’t last much longer, caught between Philippe’s bodyguard and de Neufville’s own.




Maximilian’s own bodyguard immediately lost its will to fight and ran.



In the meantime, French archers and mercenary crossbowmen fired volley upon volley on any approaching Imperial knight, keeping them at distance of the main battle line…



… where Philippe and the Order knights finished them.



One company of Imperial archers that had survived neared the French line, intent on sending their own volleys back but only got trampled under the horses of Philippe’s bodyguard.




Cries of “Victory !!” began to be heard throughout the French army as the men sensed that the tide of battle was going their way.



A company of German spearmen tried to go around the right flank of Philippe’s line, to be quickly dispatched in a furious charge.




As those ran, the remainder of Maximilian spearmen finally came in charge range of the French line of battle.



But a pincer movement between Philippe and the Order knights caused the rout of several companies…




… which finally caused a mass rout.



All that remained was chasing down the routers, capturing as many as Philippe’s men could watch.

The Score



Of all the Order knights, Eloi de Montferrat had proven the most valiant that day. Nearly 500 men were captured and release upon payment of 3232 florins to the King’s coffers.



Epilogue

In the wake of the battle, Philippe’s reputation among his men had grown.



News of the election of a new Emperor reached the camp.



Letters received by the King told him of the Polish King’s discontent over the latest developments. More confusing to Philippe was the letter from His Holiness in Rome, asking him to stop warring on the Reich or steps might be taken against France.

[Ramses II CP]

1096, Battle of Bern

It was a fiendishly cold day. The mercenaries in Prince Louis' camp woke up early, and set to work stomping out their night fires and knocking the snow off their shields. They were just getting organized into squads when the morning scouting detail returned to camp, riding hard down the north road. Fifteen veteran mounted sergeants came to a stop just outside the Prince's tent. Two dismounted and ducked inside to deliver their report.

"It's just as you expected m'lord, they've cut us off from the northeast with a blocking force, the company at Bern has marched out from the east, and that noble has the bulk of the troops away to the north."

Louis nods in de Perrone's direction before speaking, "They're trying to protect the approach to Bern and execute an ambush against us at the same time, but now we can spring it against them instead. We're much more mobile than they realize, and we've no reason to defend this spot. We'll ride out and collect the scattered blocking forces first, then confront their general and his men. He'll be in a rush once he realizes we've cleared the way to his castle."

Christophe de Perrone grins at his Prince, following the line of his thoughts.

Louis continues, "Never wise to rush through the snow, eh? We'll scatter them, break them company by company, and ransom the prisoners. Little enough gold in sacking a German castle, I'd like to send more home to father before the weather turns too ugly to campaign, and Emperor Mandorf has every reason to pay having been ransomed himself once."

"Call in all the scouts, Hawk, and let's make ready to clear the road. I don't expect any more Germans today."

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

As de Perrone departs the tent Prince Louis returns to his contemplation of the map, and takes a long drink from his wine cup. His brow furrows for a moment before he mutters to himself,

"We'll have to draw them past our camp to keep their infantry from holding the high ground. I should've planned for that... camped further east perhaps, but we'd risk a night sally from the castle... Well, once they've surrendered we'll simply retake it. There won't be time for any casual destruction and I'll remember it for the next campaign."

Pulling on his helm Louis exits the tent, already dreading having to mount his horse and endure that rediculous saddle once more.

Riding south out of camp de Perrone leads the infantry into position against the German spearmen who were sent to block the northeast approach to Bern. With no archers and no cavalry they pose no challenge, and de Perrone personally spits the company captain within moments of launching the engagement. None escape, although a significant number surrender.

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Per orders de Perrone doesn't sound his horns until after the battle has concluded. Within minutes the sound of marching men can be heard to the east and northwest, with the enemy to the east having been established by the scouts as just beyond a hillside. Prince Louis rides east over the hilltop to deal with them personally. With no spears and no support the company of foot knights is overrun in moments. Their captain throws down his sword in surrender, and disgust, as quickly as he is able. Louis sounds his horns as soon as the surrender is effected.

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The greater German force, under their noble general, marches onto the field from the north, emerging from a copse of trees to see French cavalry lounging around a field scattered with German dead, and French spearmen hustling a crowd of German prisoners into the woods to the east. Immediately they double their pace, attempting to close the gap with the French infantry. They make it about halfway across the field, just far enough for the lightly armored archers to open a wide gap between themselves and the slower spearmen, before Prince Louis leads his cavalry up and over the hill to their left. German archers flee across the face of their advancing allies in horror as French knights fall upon them.

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The German formation does not pause, their infantry abandon the archers, most of whom surrender to Prince Louis and de Perrone, to continue the pursuit of the French infantry towards the eastern trees. The German noble commands his cavalry to engage the French cavalry while attempting to organize his personal guardsmen to prevent charges to his infantry's rear. The light German cavalry routs immediately and is pursued off the field. Many of them surrender and are taken prisoner, but ten escape into the woods after the French mounted sergeants break off pursuit.

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Louis forms up his own guardsmen just up the slope from where the German knight is taking position. Christophe de Perrone stands to the Prince's left while the remaining cavalry move to reinforce the French infantry. There is a brief exchange of shouts in French, which the German noble speaks with a slight accent.

"I am Karl Courcy, Count of Bern and Lord of the lands which you now assail! Withdraw in peace and I pledge my observance of the Holy Father's demands for truce!"

"I am Prince Louis, Duke of Aquitaine and heir to the throne of Charlemagne. I ransomed your current Emperor to your last one, whom my father slew, and I have read the Pope's proclamation. He does not say we must avoid fighting, only that we must avoid sieges that place hardship on his flock. So, here we are, no need for a siege, yes?"

Louis issues a laugh which the wind sucks away before the German can hear it. He replies in a serious tone,

"The Emperor will set the Pope to right soon enough on this matter, but for today you are outnumbered, outclassed, your camp is taken, and you are unprepared for the winter. I say again, withdraw with honor! Go back to your father and tell him we wish to treat with him fairly for the return of our lands. No more good men need die today!"

Prince Louis mutters, 'enough talk' and draws his sword in answer before shouting,

"I piss on your dead, as I mean to piss on the flood of cowards who surrendered at the first taste of my steel! Tell your Emperor to shove his florins up his behind! I'm not done yet repaying the insult done to my father! You want me to leave? Come and make me if you've got a pair!"

The German bannerman doesn't wait for their general to respond, he leaps forward while Louis is still roaring out his challenge, taking the Frenchmen somewhat by surprise. The remaining enemy knights follow quickly.

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Almost immediately, however, de Perrone and his guardsmen ride in from the flank opposite the Prince. Louis presses forward, around to the rear of the German formation, and begins slaughtering his way through the densely packed melee as Evrart and Bertran guard his back. Five times Louis strikes down his foe, pressing himself heedlessly into groups of Germans and fighting two and three of the enemy knights at a time.

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At last the Germans attempt to withdraw and regroup, their numbers having been halved. Prince Louis strikes down one more foe as they pull away and leads the charge in pursuit, roaring out challenges and waving his sword menacingly.

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Soon the Germans are caught once more, and Louis wades in again, attempting to find Karl Courcy in the battle to engage him personally. Alas, Louis' guard are abruptly struck by one of their own tricks, as the small force of German light cavalry which was thought to have routed from the field returns and takes the Prince's men from behind.

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de Perrone shifts his own guard to confront them, and they are driven off quickly, but several of Louis' guardsmen are struck from behind and killed. One of the enemy's light cavalry survives to flee once again.

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Karl Courcy uses the distraction to withdraw his men from the melee once more, and gathers himself. Louis calls de Perrone over to speak with him for a moment before the engagement begins again,

"That last bastard slipped my guard and put a decent nick into one of my ribs before I gutted him. Bertran's mount was killed again too, so he's back there walking this way. This Courcy chap's a clever one, keeps drawing us into positions that let his smaller force hold a line. Let me and the lads hit 'em head on, break 'em open, and you come around behind," seeing de Perrone glance at the blood seeping from his armor Louis speaks sharply,

"No backtalk, I've had worse hunting boar and the lads are still hungry. Go on now!"

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As de Perrone rides away Courcy and his men turn in some haste and attempt to form up for a charge against the Prince's battered bodyguard. Karl has stood aside from most of the fighting, so his armor is whole and his sword arm still fresh. There's no question of his desire, he aims to kill the French Prince. The two companies of guardsmen are nearly equal in number, but Louis' men have been fighting all morning, and Louis himself is wounded. As the engagement begins Louis thrusts himself through the center of the German formation, killing one man and hacking the arm from a second, with Evrart desperately blocking blows meant for the Prince's back.

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Nearby the German infantry have come to grips with the French mercenaries. Though they have a substantial advantage of numbers, they utterly lack cavalry support. Moments after the mounted sergeant's charge crashes home the enemy infantry are in flight. Hundreds are captured.

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In the battle of the generals Louis has locked eyes on Karl Courcy and, ignoring all blows directed against him, is riding through the melee directly for the man. From behind Karl hears de Perrone's men begin their charge. With an audible quaver the German waves his sword at the Prince and screams,

"Gott in Himmel, kill him!"

Before turning to run.

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His guardsmen fight on for a few moments before turning to flee as well. Four of them escape.

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Louis is exhausted as he rides back to the copse of woods where the mercenaries have gathered the Germans who surrendered. Blood can be seen dripping down his left leg and leaving a faint trail in the snow. Remounts have been brought up for the wounded who can ride, and a detatchment is being organized to return to the camp, but all the men are weary of struggling through the snow. It takes two hours just to get the prisoners organized into nobles, soldiers, and peasants. A messenger is dispatched to Bern to treat with Karl Courcy. At last Louis permits his armor to be opened and his wound bound. During the binding he becomes light headed and fears to pass out, but maintains his demeanor in front of the men.

The soldiers are starting to relax, the remaining mounted sergeants are walking their horses north, towards the camp, when the messenger comes riding back in like a madman, screaming about something.

"They're coming! They're coming! My Prince, more Germans have marched down the north road! They've already overrun the camp, and that noble from Bern is at their head!"

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Louis' face is ashen as he assess his remaining strength. A grim look comes over his face,

"How many men? Infantry or cavalry? de Perrone get those bloody mercenaries on their feet!"

The messenger, a simple pageboy, shouts his reply,

"It's an army m'lord, I couldn't begin to count them all, hundreds and hundreds! They're just over the hill lord! We must away now!"

A muttering can be heard amongst the prisoners. They've not lost sight of the fact that they outnumber their captors three to one, and most of them barely fought. Louis can calculate how many of them understand French by how fast the rumors are spreading through the crowd. It's an idle distraction that turns his thoughts momentarily away from the grim matter at hand. A glance shows the mercenaries guarding the prisoners are hefting their spears with nasty looks on their faces.

"My Prince please! Let us away from this cursed place, the Germans spring from the ground like fairies! I don't want to die, oh Gods I don't want to die!"

The sound of a brutal slap carries across the camp. Even the muttering among the prisoners ceases for a moment. The page, lying on the ground, coughs weakly and spits blood into the snow. Louis' voice is merciless,

"Pick the fool up Bertran. You'll have to carry him across your horse for a bit I imagine."

Louis shakes his head,

"No use sending scouts now, somebody told them what to see already. Blood and fire!" Louis turns his head to the sky and screams his anger into it. It is a cry of boiling fury unleashed, and the mutters amongst the German prisoners cease at the sound of it. Evrart, standing behind his master, reaches out and touches his shoulder, causing Louis to jerk away and turn on his guardsmen, hand at sword hilt. Evrart lowers his eyes and shakes his head gently. Just as quickly as it came the rage drains out of Louis, and the Prince begins issuing orders,

"The camp will be abandoned, nothing we need there anyway. Get the sergeants out scouting to the south now. We withdraw."

Louis shakes his head before turning to speak quietly to de Perrone,

"My Hawk, the prisoners will have to be released. That's not going to please these mercenaries any, but there's nothing for it. March 'em up the hill over there and send them running away down it. They'll not turn back and run uphill to attack us barehanded, and it'll take Courcy a day to group them back up at least. Nor will he pursue too closely without their numbers at his back."

Raising his voice the Prince continues so all his men can hear,

"You won a great victory here today! None can take that from you. Walk from this field with your heads high knowing you are the finest fighting force in France today men! There are more battles waiting, more enemies ready for the slaughter, but for today we depart!"

[_Tristan_]

Placeholder for the battle near Rambouillet, 1102

[OverKnight]

The Second Battle of Staufen, 1102

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

My lord Duc Hugues de Champagne was concerned. With others wars and a Crusade on the horizon and the Germans massing men on the Rhine, he sought a decisive battle against the Empire before they moved west and men and resources were siphoned away to other fronts. The Duc marched to the bridge near Staufen, inviting the Germans to attack. They obliged despite the bloody defeat they had already suffered there.



A steady rain fell as the Germans gathered on the other side of the Rhine. My lord capped the bridge with a U of spearmen. The mercenaries, the most skilled of the lot, were given the center. Bowmen were on a rise to right. The cavalry was in the rear, ready to pounce on those who broke or support the spears.

A contingent of Imperial archers and spearmen charged across the bridge to begin the battle. They were showered with missiles as they charged.



The German bowmen, unwisely put in the vanguard, broke almost instantly, their spearmen were hardier.



Mounted sergeants charged in to try to break the impasse. They managed to shift our mercenaries, but died in droves. More infantry poured in after them.



The cap held, those Germans that broke and tried to flee to our rear were chased down by Bertin de Montsault and our own Mounted Sergeants. Their first and second waves defeated, the Germans held position on the bridge as the Staufen garrison, led by Johann von Bremen arrived.



Their archers were able to loose on our men, but being packed together so tightly ruined their aim. Our own missiles, fired on a flat trajectory into their bunched up ranks, were much more effective. Our one company of crossbowmen would claim 400 kills after the battle.

Von Bremen, showing no patience, charged our reformed lines valiantly.



He died valiantly and quickly.

The remaining German foot charged in.



But at this point they were arrow bit and bloodied even before making contact. When their commander fell, they broke.



As the routers were chased by our light cavalry, the Duc ordered a general advance across the bridge.



The German archers, with no foot left to protect them, fled. They were all run down. The bridge was again a scene of slaughter.



The day was ours.

[Cecil XIX]

Placeholder.

[_Tristan_]

Placeholder for the first battle on English soil

[Braden]

*Steinbach-Hallenberg Mountain pass – Spring 1104*

Andreas sat on his horse and looked up at the mountain in front of them. Following reports that the Imperial army had formed up, with ballista support, at the very summit directly blocking the road Henri had ordered the Kings army to climb down the steep hill to the very bottom. Above them to the left the mountain’s ominous rocky outcrop blocked their view of the other army. On their right flank was dense forest.

“I don’t like this much my lord. We have refused any high ground and the easy travel of the road to the enemy. I am not sure either your father or your elder brother would have decided to take battle here.”

Henri ordered a crossbow unit forward on the right before answering his mentor.

“The enemy leave us little choice my friend. Even if we stayed on the road they have the ultimate summit of the mountain and still height over our men…besides we cannot manuveor or men effectively in such a narrow path. No better we stay here and work to our benefit.”

“..but how do you propose to..”

Andreas’ comment was cut off by Henri spurring his horse forward up the mountain. Andreas and the Royal Guard had to follow.

“My lord, what are we doing precisely?”

Henri smiled and turned to his old friend.

“This is as good as we’re going to get. We now have position. See to our right? That outcrop is impassable and the Germans will have to funnel down around it and between the forest on our left. I have positioned all our ranged units just around the corner from the outcropping meaning the enemy will only see our spearmen at the bottom of the hill until after they pass the outcrop…meaning?”

Henri paused for Andreas to catch up. Andreas continued as he understood.

“…meaning all our crossbows and bowmen will have a crossfire into the sides of anyone coming past!”

“Exactly, and the enemy has to walk a long way to get to us ultimately. If they want us not to just go around them, they have to take the fight to us.”

“So, my lord, what are we doing out of position?”

Henri and his body guard reached the summit

“We are the bait…see the Germans move, we shall disappear now..”

With that Henri reigned in his horse and turned about, trotting down the hill apace before turning deep into the forest. With urgency and quiet he address his men.

“We wait here until all the Germans have passed before we move or act…silence now”

The German army marched passed oblivious to Henri’s placement. As the bulk of them moved down the hill and passed the mountains outcrop the combined bolt and arrow force unleashed a deadly fusillade into the sides of the spearmen, archers and horsemen. Everytime they tried to reposition to face the incoming rain of death with their shields Henri’s spearmen at the bottom of the hill would also reposition to threaten their flank….they could not engage and were being cut down by deadly fire rapidly.

Henri saw his chance and signalled his men forward, now the entire enemy army was below them and some units had already started to break back up towards his now very elevated position. With a below Henri gave the order.
“For France, for King Phillip! Make this count my brothers! CHARRRGGGEEE!!”

They levelled lances and charged down the steep incline into the mass of fleeing men and crashed into the rear of unsuspecting horsemen, spearmen and archers.

At the bottom of the mountain two enemy militia spear units had managed to engage Henri’s mercenary spearmen.

……..

“English look out!”

The Englishman didn’t hesitate and dodged a clumsy blow from the militiaman before driving the ridge of his own shield up and into his assailants nose. He gave a cursory nod to his German captain before ploughing back into the fray.

The militiamen didn’t last long, outclassed by spear to the front and still being struck by bolt and arrow from behind. They started to run back up the hill.

“Hold the line! Hold the line!” the mercenary captain made sure his men redressed “Werez not been told ta be running up dat hill huh? We stay put ya!”

……………

The fleeing Germans struggled up the hill, rapidly getting exhausted but as the sun crested the mountain they were hit again by Henri’s own cavalry…full gallop, lances braced.

The final results were by then known. Henri spent the rest of the battle mopping up. His was the only cavalry unit and it was his duty to capture as many as possible. He returned with some 300 prisoners but by this time the mercenaries had rested arms and several even had braziers lit.

……………

*That same evening*

The messenger arrived, a dour look on his face, before handing the missive to Henri in his tent. Henri took the note, handing a silver coin to the courier before dismissing him and sitting at his camp table to read it.

He sighed.

“What say they my lord?”

“hmmm? Oh, sorry Andreas…they say no”

“Oh..”

“Indeed. I had hoped not only for some coin for our campaign but for the safety of all those men but it is not to be.”

He looked at Andreas…Andreas responded

“Leave this to me my Prince”

With that Andreas left the tent, he knew a certain German Mercenary Captain he could rely on for such a grim task…..


(OOC: due to no pictures I’ve tried to make this as descriptive as possible)

[KnightnDay]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The thunder cracked in the skies of Champagne as a pouring rain beat down upon the earth. Thomas de Saint-Amand along with two spear militia companies had been marching for many miles to the southwest in order to track down the empire’s troops commanded by a Captain Hugo that were reported to be in the area.

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As they reached the vicinity where the enemy was to be found, Thomas discovered them high upon a hill, while his own men faced the prospect of a tiring upwards climb. Thomas was undaunted. This was to be his first test at fighting at the head of his troops and he would not be denied. He ordered his men to move to the left and begin the ascent. It was not an easy climb, and the driving rain only served to make the challenge more difficult.

After a considerable time had passed, the men of the royaume had accomplished the feat, but were not only soaked to the skin, but were extremely tired, almost to the point of exhaustion. Proceeding then towards the enemy, Thomas found two sergeant spear companies deployed to the front with a company of mounted sergeants behind them.

Thomas looked back at his spearmen. After such a march, what condition would they be in to fight when the time came? We must improve our chances, Thomas thought to himself. He ordered his bodyguard forward, slowly to the left now, in order to work his way around the enemy. Would they charge as soon as Thomas had distanced himself from his two militia companies? For a few tense minutes the adversaries eyed each other warily, yet the men of the Reich made no move. Most fortunate that these people make no move upon us, Thomas thought, as he soon found himself on the right flank of the mounted sergeants.

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Now was the moment, to the attack.
For France, for glory, charge!

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With that command, Thomas’ men tore into the mounted sergeants and for a fateful moment the German spearmen stood standing, watching the melee and not knowing quite what to do. If they turned to face Thomas, would they then be counter-charged from behind by the French spearmen? The left spear company acted first, beginning to take several steps towards Thomas. He adroitly maneuvered his guard back for a moment, and with that the German spears again hesitated, then returned back to where they stood before. Now was the time to finish off the mounted sergeants. Once again to the attack, and with a second charge, the mounted sergeants broke and began to run for safety.

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The remaining infantry companies were now on their own, facing the unsettling and imminent prospect of attack from opposite sides. The first company on the left finally decided to act. The Germans marched forward. Thomas’ spear militia companies responded immediately by charging head-on with one company and the other slightly to the left. The engagement was brief as the outnumbered men of the Reich began to falter. Sensing this, Thomas decided it was time to finish this fight. He charged his bodyguard into the back of the second company which staggered under the blows of the swords now raining down death upon them.

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The morale of the enemy was broken in short order, and they turned to flee. Thomas drove his men on, to finish the task they had set out to do. When it was over, the count was 144 prisoners, and word was sent out that a ransom would be offered to the Reich.

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When it was learned that no payment would be forthcoming, the prisoners were dispatched to God’s care.

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After the battle was over, it was acknowledged by many that Thomas had performed well indeed and had proven himself a promising general when on the attack.

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