Battle of Kulikovo, 1380 - Russia vs the Golden Horde

In this fun game, loosely based on the epic Battle of Kulikovo, we witnessed the Russian Principalities, under Prince Dimitry, 'throw off the Mongol Yoke'.

The Russian right flank defeated the Tartar cavalry before turning on the Golden Horde's centre, killing their C-in-C in the process. The Russian centre remained disciplined and managed to break a key unit of mercenary spearmen, sealing the Mongols' fate.

We used Lion Rampant rules, which aren't really intended for set piece battles, but worked surprisingly well in this case. The game mechanisms can be quite 'swingy' from turn to turn, which adds to the uncertainty and 'fun' of the game.

The low-light of the game, was the disgraceful display by the mercenary Genoese Crossbowmen, who failed, turn after turn, to shoot at the advancing Russians. When they did eventually roll to shoot, they didn't even cause one single casualty! Perhaps they hadn't been paid by their employers, or perhaps they'd bribed by the Russians - we'll never know. Either way, they were left to their fate, as the defeated Mongols retired from the battlefield.

Battle of Kulikovo Wargame

Battle of Kulikovo Wargame

Irish Wars 16th Century - Elizabethan Ambush!

Inspired by the Nine Years War, 1593-1603, in Ireland, this engagement saw an English column move out into the interior of the country to revictual and resupply a beleaguered fort. They were ambushed by an army of ‘raw Irishry’ who were in support of the rebellion by Hugh O’Neill of Tyrone.

The English were attacked on all sides by kern, galloglaigh, calivermen and Irish pike. A confused impasse at the river ford was finally broken when a group of volunteer colonist gentlemen, from the Pale, bravely charged a group of Irish pike, who had been blocking the ford crossing, pushing them back and enabling the rest of the English army to follow, continue their advance and resupply the fort with biscuits, salted meats and many barrels of brandy and ale.

Of particular note were the kern in English employ, who broke at the first opportunity; Galloglaigh, who impressed no one and made a hasty retreat; the English regimental gun, who only managed to fire off one shot the entire game; and an English pike unit that brought up the rear of the column, keeping the enemy kern at bay, whilst suffering from their incessant - although largely ineffectual -missile fire.

Rules used were adapted Osprey's 'Pikeman’s Lament'.

Nine Years War Wargame

Elizabethan Irish Wars Wargame