The Rout Of Ludford 12th October 1459

 

This battle was fought with the Bloody Barons Rule System between Mark and Andy at Warwick Wargames Club on a Monday night session. Andy as ever was the Yorkist Commander and Mark took the Lancastrians.

 

The Overview Map below shows the starting positions for the battle.

 

The Game started with a bold advance on the right flank with  King Henry making some good command rolls. This allowed the Yorkist right flank commanded by Warwick to come under sustained accurate archery fire. The following picture shows the front row of Warwick’s Retinue falling. The power of Household archery is a nasty sight to see from the wrong end.

Needless to say the Retinue unit did not last long and left the field. Leaving a hole in the flank. The Kings Household then turn to charge the middle and bring Richard Neville the Earl of Salisbury under pressure as he is attacked from two sides. This can be clearly seen below.

Things do not go to plan and the Household unit is defeated in Melee and leaves the field much to the disgust of the King. While the attack against Richards Levy fairs better and the Levy breaks and heads across the river. The picture below shows the outcome of the initial charges.

Richard Duke of York and Richard Neville realise that is only a matter of time before archery takes it toll and launch a counter attack to try and capitalise on the fall of the King’s Household troops. This brave if fool hardy attack is held by the Lancastrian troops. The following picture shows the damage being dealt by Archery to the attack made by the Duke of York’s Retinue.

This picture shows Neville attempting to smash a hole through the Lancastrian middle, using himself to add weight at the front rank.

There are several rounds of hard fighting but the supporting ranks of the Lancastrian forces lend their weight and finally force the Yorkist force to break. The photo below shows the melee at close hand.

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