Your most... painful Defeat

[Cowhead418]

There is one battle that sticks out in my mind. I don't remember too much of the specific details of the battle, only that I was enraged afterwards.

I remember fighting a crucial bridge battle against who I believe was the HRE. I don't really remember who I was playing as but I think I was the Russians. I had about a 700 men quality army defending a key point against some few thousand German troops. My men fought valiantly and broke the enemy's first wave. I made a mistake and pursued to prevent their good quality troops from re-grouping. My troops rushed across the bridge and before they got far the enemy's reinforcements approached.

I quickly organized my army and engaged the fresh enemy soldiers. I had brought nearly my entire army across the bridge but had left my general behind to prevent a mass rout if he were killed. My troops were gaining the upper hand and I saw the enemy troops were beginning to waver so I encouraged my men on to victory. Just as the enemy was about to break, one of my units routed and caused my other troops to waver. Soon after the rest of my line broke and ran like cowards. Rejuvenated by my army's cowardice, the enemy pursued and crushed my remaining force. I didn't even bother to ransom back the fools, I was so angry.

I also remember a time I lost an English campaign within the first 15 turns. It was on vanilla MTW and two of my heirs had become of age. I invaded Wales with my two Princes, my King, some archers, a Hobilar unit, and some regular spearmen. The rebels consisted of nearly all Longbowmen and situated themselves on a nice steep hill on all sides. Seeing as I had no choice, I foolishly charged up the hill with my Princes and King at the head of my troops. The Longbowmen cut down my Royal Knights but succumbed to my Cavalry after I engaged them in melee. The enemy had caused more casualties then I had dealt, but I figured my losses wouldn't hurt me too bad.

When I got back to the campaign map I realized that my two princes had both been struck by an arrow and slain on their suicidal charge up that fateful hill. My king was already around 55 years old and died of old age withing the next five turns. I had no heirs of proper age and my kingdom collapsed into chaos.