V&V Battle Reports Thread

[phonicsmonkey]

The Battle of Tyrol, 1123

In the bitter cold of the winter of 1123 Prinz Leopold von Osterreich and his mercenary army are crossing the Alps south of Nuremburg in a forced march to relieve the garrison of Castle Innsbruck, who are under siege from the Milanese.

While descending on the Tyrolian side of the range they are set upon by a small army of Venetians, apparently themselves headed for Bavaria.

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The Prinz has some time to arrange his troops on the higher ground.

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As the Venetians struggle up the slope in the heavy snow, the German archers and crossbowment find their range.

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The first Italians to crest the verge are a depleted band of Knights. Their steeds stumbling over the rocky ridge they muster a half-hearted charge, steam pouring from their nostrils in the chill morning air.

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Almost the instant their lances clash against German shields they are shaken and looking to retreat.

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In a similar demoralized state are the Italian Spear Militia who follow them into the serried ranks of the Reich's spear.

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Soon the Venetian foot are routing, falling over themselves in a vain attempt to escape as they fall head over heels down the icy slope.

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Seeing the day all but lost, Benasuto Selvo, the Venetian commander, orders his personal bodyguard into the melee.

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But it is not long before they too are put to flight, their general slain and his head atop a German spear.

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The prisoners are herded into a nearby pine wood and several freeze to death while the Prinz awaits the response to his ransom demand of 1200 florins. It is refused and the Italians are left to die on the mountain top. Hands and feet bound and mouths gagged, they thrash about in the snow until they starve or die of exposure to the elements.

The Prinz and his army continue their march.

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