English Civil War- 1st Battle of Newbury- 20.09.1643-Robs War Room
Hello on 11.6.2017 I attended a refight of the 1st Battle of Newbury at Robs War room.
It was evident that Rob had put a lot of work into trying to get the terrain and dispositions of the opposing forces as accurate as possible.
It was a great set up and it would be a challenge for the Royalist Army to try and overturn the Historical outcome. Historians believe each army was about 14,000 strong (the size of the armies are not known for certain).
The Rules used were “ War Without an Enemy” by Noel O’Neill and Rob Wingrave
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In the centre the Royalist Foot took early casualties from the Heavy/Siege guns on the Round Hill as they advanced towards it and became disordered as they moved onto the Hedged lined road in front of the hill- they stopped here using a line of hedges as cover and engaged the Parliamentary Foot also behind a hedge line in a fire fight during which the Forlorn Hope fired off all its ammo and had a reload from a supply wagon (firing some 45 dice in total causing one or two casualties after saving throws maybe less-the Royalist player made some bad dice rolls). The Supporting Royalist medium guns were also largely infective until the last round of fire after a reload from a supply wagon. The Parliamentary Commander did reinforce the flanks of the Round Hill with two trained Bands from the City Brigade using one Regiment to fend off some dismounted Royalist Dragoons who tried to flank the Round Hill
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On the Royalist right flank the Royalist Foot advanced through the tangle of Hedges to their front –the Royalist commander a stickler for straight lines halted his men after crossing each hedge to dress the ranks before moving on(It was slow progress moving though the hedges and crossing a hedge disorders the Regiment). This force eventually engaged in a firefight with the Parliamentary Left flank Infantry and guns who were lining a hedge whilst the Royalist Foot was in the open taking casualties. One Royalist Foot Regiment closed for Melee but after some initial success it was forced back.
On the Royalist far right the Royalist Centre Cavalry arrived after a number of moves and Charged the Left Flank Parliamentary Horse in an area of open ground – a series of melees ensued with both sides winning and losing as Regiments fled the field and pursuing cavalry went off with them –by the end of the battle neither side had gained an advantage but the Royalists had failed to sweep the flank clear of Parliamentary Horse to aid the Royalist right flank Infantry attack through the hedges.
Result- Parliamentary Win.
The Royalists failed to defeat the Parliamentary Forces and fired off a lot of ammo to little effect a similar result to the Historical battle where the Royalists did not have enough ammo left after the battle to resume the fight the following day.
It was an enjoyable game but a tough task for the Royalists. Historically the Earl of Essex made good use of the ground taking control of the dominating Round Hill which the Royalists had failed to occupy before the battle started.
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