Warhammer Ancient Battles - Chivalry for Hire

July 15, 2006 saw 12 WAB players participating in a one-day event for armies from the Armies of Chivalry. This year’s theme was the condottieri warfare of Renaissance Italy, to reflect the theme players competed to secure a service with one of the Italian city states. Players also earned money, which they could use to bid for the recruitment of additional units.  Following two scenario games, the players participated in a doubles game, in which the players had their own differing objectives.

Please feel free to have a look at the event photos taken by Matthiu Batiste, who travelled form Paris to attend.

Ben Osbourne, who remarkably, led my Burgundians to victory, prepared the following report.

Je Lai Empirins
George Moraitis

The Record of the travels in Italy of Reynard de burgundy

This being a record of the travails of my lord and master Reynard of Burgundy, during July of the year of our lord 1396. We had taken our mercenary company of Burgundian lances to the south, searching for employment in the city states of Italy.

The first obstacle encountered was in the form of our rivals the French company of Sir Mathieu, who had blocked the mountain pass to Florence where the good Duke de Medici had made enquiries into the hiring of our good company. Sir Mathieu’s company took the form of a number of gendarmes arrayed in bright steel on similarly armoured horse, and a similarly well groomed collection of footmen, including a number of cannon. No matter, our mighty feudal knights rode down the flanks while the archers and pikemen took the pass, despite the best efforts of the dandy French our fine footmen held the pass till dusk, allowing us to force through to Florence.

At the time we were making our way to Florence, we later learned that many other companies were on their way to Italy to support one city or another, since momentous events were occurring, with the normally peaceful city-states unfurling the banners of war. The Milanese had sought the services of a great many companies from many lands; the Venetians in true mercantile style had sought the services of the hated Swiss, while the Neapolitans hired yet more Swiss. The Pope meanwhile not to be outdone sought his own loyal followers, seemingly led by a Franciscan friar of military leanings.
 
The mighty Reynard of Burgundy, was then set to enforcing the siege of Milanese possessions on the lands claimed by the mighty lord de Medici of Florence. Sent against us were the dastardly Squire Andrew and his company of English cut-throats. These villains showed their cunning by sneaking behind us in the night then attempting to silence the great bombards that threatened the walls. However, once again my lord’s skill at battle came to the fore, force marching the bulk of the army in the wake of our glorious feudal knight’s charge and securing the guns. The repulsed Squire Andrew retreated to nurse his grudge against the mighty Reynard.

This however, was not the only great happening. The mad monk of Rome [Francis Healy-McAdam] had shown that faith allied to steel could be a mighty force by defeating the hated Swiss in an epic battle for the pass south of Rome. The Swiss failed again and again to break the papal forces line, only to be repulsed in droves.

The conclusion to the campaign by Milan to take control of the Italian lands culminated for my lord with orders to stop the Milanese advance over the bridges as they attempted to sweep Florence from the map. Squire Andrew brought his English scoundrels to the battle and had hired a foul Swiss mercenary company to aid him. Lord Reynard had sought the aid of a Company of French displaced from France by an ungrateful king after their leader Sir Guy le Breton had apparently been a little too friendly with the Kings Niece.

As the battle lines were formed, it became clear that Sir Guy’s mighty archers would need to hold the Swiss advance by the chapel, while Reynard would need to hold the English from the bridge. Almost immediately, Squire Andrew showed his ungentlemanly colours by ordering his gunners to target Reynard, showing a grudge against his enemy. The mighty Swabian mercenary force marched to the bridge and held almost till nightfall before breaking, but by then, Reynard had been knocked from his horse and was gravely injured.

The Swiss nearly broke valiant Sir Guy’s force, but in turn were put to flight by the might and bravery of the Burgundians. As dusk fell our mighty company held the bridges and contested the chapel. Sir Guy attempted to rally his mighty forces while Reynard lay with the surgeons, we had held the forces of the base Squire Andrew and his uncouth Swiss allies, but only just and at what cost. Of this I am certain, though if Lord Reynard survives he will no doubt seek vengeance on Squire Andrew and his mercenary English dogs.