Some more rules we seem to of missed in powr

whilst browsing the rule book I notice some bits which we seem to be missing when playing.

Page 25

It clearly states 2 pips to stop a class 5 unit from charging but above this it also states 2pips to move class 5 unit that is within charge range of an enemy.

Does this then mean it costs 4 pips to do something with a class 5 unit ?

It certainly reads that way to me....




Page 16

Morale


Can't seem to recall applying these modifiers....

1. Pike get an extra +1 On their morale roll against troops with a lower pike ratio

2. You seem to get a plus per class difference so a unit of Swiss like fighting mounted crossbow would get +4 extra on their morale roll. This makes sense as it makes is less likely for a crap unit to inflict a lucky rout or shaken result against a superior class unit. This does not apply to units being shot at though.


Maybe my memory is failing but I can't remember us using these and they are in the rule book.

German Tercio HELP!

After unleashing the wrath of the Balrog on Andy at Heroics and Ros for what can only be described as "dreadful customer service" my Army finally arrived Saturday, delivered by Andy himself on a push bike (he made the journey especially for me).... not.

In reality I let him know how I felt about his customer service. two days later the goods arrived, I have had no reply to "that e mail" as yet....




Bridges well burned I wanted to make this army my best yet as it is likely to be the last thing I order from H & R.

Yesterday I started my first Tercio unit. I decided to try out an idea I had in mind to help me base these figures as accurately as possible so I spent a good while of messing around on the computer first before coming up with this below.

I only managed to get this lot done tonight but before I go ahead with the rest I need some feedback on how this looks please! I don't know if I should make the pike deeper and less wide (there is still a 4th front rank to be based, flag bearer / leader & drummer etc) or go with the wider formation in 4 ranks.

Ian - what do you think? does this look wrong or is it just an aesthetic thing??

St Crispins Day

Today is the feast of St Crispin.

600 years ago the battle of Agincourt was fought and won by Henry V.  Immortalised by Shakespeare, the idea of "we few" and "we band of brothers" has become a powerful message in war and adversity.

Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.^[2]

Unfortunately "**** off its 6mm!" will take some time to achieve such cultural significance.

Italians Wars - rules update/clarification

Following last weeks game with the Spanish army it made me think about how this should be used in the context of the campaign.

Not our scale but the guy who painted these (Olicinalad) was the chap Russ and I spoke with at Derby.  He uses enamels and no varnish and can paint a 150 of these 28mm figs a week!  He deservedly won best of show for his battle of Marignano.

The Spanish have the option of arriving on the battlefield with attack orders but still adopting hold orders for their army and allowing them to build defences for all their foot units as long as they lose a men at arms unit.  This reflects their army doctrine, the fact they have an engineer and because the army list says they can - it's their special trait.  It means that if the French or any other army has attack orders and moves into a territory with the Spanish they will start the game with all their commands on attack orders whilst the Spanish wait for them behind their defences.  You will then have to change orders and risk going in piece meal or just go for it - all very historical!

In addition, the Swiss do not like fannying about.  Any Swiss mercenaries will insist on attacking.

This could also be the situation with any other army you may command that is on hold orders and is faced by an enemy with attack orders.

At this point the attacker may have succeeded in placing all his commands on hold and is reluctant to either attack or retreat.  The attacker may use his artillery to pound away for the rest of the battle or send skirmishes forward to take an important piece of terrain, or some other stratagem that would lead him to think that a second day of battle may be worth fighting.  We are now in the area of grand tactics and I have to write up another level of rules

Italian light cavalry.  Reasonably well armed and armoured they were often the same type as courours, costiliers, archers, retainers etc, but were often employed for skirmishing on campaigns; not as noble as your gensdarmes , men at arms and condotieri.  The stradiots and jinetes were much more specific in their training and role.  Phil, I could really do with a version of the above Venetian flags for the Venetian CinC and army markers if you can help!

The side with the greater number of light cavalry units will impose attrition on the other army, which will roll a D4 for all units in the army.  In reality this simulates several days or weeks but gives us the results of two armies jostling for supplies in a restricted area.  It also means we have another realistic use for all those light cavalry options, and makes sense of the Spanish army doctrine.  If both armies have the same amount of light cavalry then both roll for attrition which may force one to retire, which may be very important if the holding army is conducting a siege.  The attrition roll may also reduce one sides light cavalry simulating that one side has gained the upper hand.  All this means that the battlefield may not always be the place where a result is gained, but any battle we fight will now have a context.

Ferrara

Alfonso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara.

The Duke of Ferrara has announced his allegiance and fealty to the Pope.  An army has been raised and artillery has been cast in the famous foundries of his city.

Strategic thoughts.

After our first tumultuous year of the campaign I thought it might be useful to pause and consider the strategic options open to each state.

Papal States

With Florence to it's north and Spain to it's south, the Pope has limited avenues left for easy conquests.  Florence has taken Urbino and the Romagna, cutting the Papacy off from any further advances north.  However, by taking Ancona, the Pope can send an army by sea but may need the aid of an ally with a fleet.  The recent election of a Pope supported by France gives the Papal army such a choice.  Nevertheless, the Pope has many enemies amongst the great families of Rome and Cesare Borgia intrigues from Naples against Pope Julius, under the protection of Spain.

Florence

Florence now dominates central Italy and is able to intervene in a number of directions; but Bologna and Lucca seem most vulnerable.  Now that the Pope is supported by France it's southern border appears secure but it must first subdue the rebellions that have weakened it's finances.  The Medici continue to plot for their return to power and many suspect that they are behind the rebellions; rich and powerful they have lent much to the Spanish monarchy.

Milan

Milan has been under direct attack from France and the rebellious province of Como has been lost to that great power.  The Emperor is no true friend and only helped to ensure France did not gain a strategic advantage over the Holy Roman Empire; he demands territorial compensation and only the threat of the Turks has forced him to withdraw from Italy after the truce with France.  The capture of Modena is ample compensation for the loss of Como as it may also induce Pont-Remoli to seek protection from Milan.  However, the rebellions in Novarra and Cremona are a continuing drain on the Duchies finances.

Venice

The Doge did well to take Mantua but the failure to secure Ferrara is a reminder to all that the Duke of Ferrara has long been an enemy of Venice.  Any further aggrandizement of the "Terra Firma" is limited by the Empire and Milan.  Naval dominance gives Venice an ability to expand anywhere in Italy, but the Ottoman threat and the lack of Allies will make this difficult.  The recent involvement of the Emperor and the possibility of France as a neighbour has made it clear to the Venetians that their strategic position could be precarious.

Italian States V Spanish

We played a POWR game at Ian's yesterday - Ian wanted to try out Phil's Spanish Army and to get me familiar with the troops types I opted for an Italian states army with Milan C in C and some German Landschnekt mercenaries.




As the Spanish were going to use entrenchments and hide behind them Ian got to choose the terrain.

It was no surprise to find we were fighting in mountains.....

The calm before the storm.... Spanish village photos

With some horrendous terrain on both sides of the table I elected to give Ian the lesser of 2 evils and came on from the table edge were the fortified buildings and in passable mountains were.

If I had given the Spanish this side it would of been even worse than it actually was.

Trying come up with a plan to assault the walls of Mordor was not easy and I had to think long and hard to come up with something that might just work for me....

Becasue Ian had entrenched across the table using the steep hill and broken ground to protect his right flank I decided to send my Pike to bash through the left flank entenchments while sending a small command of skirmish / crossbow units to attach the hill to the right. My cavalry were only going to be of any use if I could get lucky with the terrain roll for the wood which was screening the right flank of the steep hill. There was no where else I could of used them to any effect so I went for it!

Turn 1 - my whole army arrives

Mordor

 Sauron - how can I possibly lose this one......

A few turns in and my foot crossbow advances across to the steep hill.

Ian had deployed a small garisson of skirmishers behind entrenchments to slow me down.

I reached the wood with hope that it would allow my cavalry to pass through.

You can guess the result of the dice roll.......

My entire cavalry command will go on hold next turn after reaching the impassable wood.

It's not looking good ....

It was not long before I rolled my first 20 and lost my first unit of crossbow as a result of being shot at.

 The pike reach the gates of Mordor 2 out of 4 manage to get in.

The nightmare of entrenchments became only to clear to me. You lose all melee multipliers going in and this just makes units like heavy gallopers pretty normal as they don't get to double up. Same for pike. If I had attacked Ian frontally I would of been thumped by the artillery and although the Italian army has some pretty good units they would not of stood up to a lesser Spanish force using the entrenchments.

 I took this one for Phil to show him just how good his Spanish army are.

This lot were shaken by a retiring unit of Stradiots breaking through as I had nowhere to go.

Ian just caused the one casualty and I rolled another 20....

We stopped for lunch after turn 8 (out of 14) and I knew at this stage what the result would be here...

It did not take much longer and I lost 50% out of my Pike which took a real hiding trying to go in.
I had already dropped to engage after losing 50% of my skirmish units so the Italians went on hold on turn 13. With a record number of 20's rolled by me (it was 9) the result was made that much quicker.

Well played to Ian and the Spanish.

I can't say I enjoyed the experience but I have learned from it and I would never try to take on the Spanish again unless I had some heavy artillery or a full strength Swiss army.

Bottom line is the Spanish are nearly unbeatable using these tactics. If they manage to build entrenchments around impassible terrain you will lose regardless of what tactics are employed.


The Spanish troops are not really that strong so they historically always used entrenchments which makes sense. I can see why Phil went for this army, it reminds me of the Romans.....

The ultimate test will be with my Swiss. Could they beaten by the cowardly Spanish?


It will be interesting to see how this transpires into campaign battles. With Di Vinci on my side I will get another shift for my entrenchments. I can see there being plenty of orders for heavy artillery coming..........

Flodden Photos

Here are the photos from the battle of Flodden that we played.

From what I remember this was a right old scrap with my Pike trying to hold the hill in the middle of the table with Mark piling on the casulaties with his English army.

Initial Setup - most of my army was facing South so I had to spend pips turning them around.

Mark's army arrives......

I managed to claim the hill and had thought about slogging it over to the flank of the river but decided against it.

English forces approach

Scotts are surrounded!

Not sure what that unit on the left is doing....

It is certainly not engaging the hill though

 Clash on the hill....

Scottish change their orders and attack

End - Can't remember the result although I seem to think the English won.

The Campaign Begins - 1500AD

As new year 1500 approached there were many dark signs and portents reported across Italy; a two headed calf in Apulia, demonic armies seen in the skies above Brindisi, a statue of the Virgin Mary wept blood in the sacristy of Monte Cassino and a child was born in Capua with a full head of hair and able to quote scripture in latin.  All this was reported to the Papal Curia.

However, the princes of Italy care little for their superstitious subjects.  As men of the Renaissance they seek power and influence over their peers and they will use all the resources of the modern age to impose their dominion on Italy.

As spring approaches the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, imposes a heavy war tax on his subjects purchasing mercenaries from Germany for his planned attack on the independent city state of Modena.  The Duke of Modena rallies his citizens and is able to withstand an intense assault by the German troops. The Duke of Milan attempts to bribe the garrison commander but the plot is discovered by the angry citizens who hang the commander from the ramparts.  News of this set back has caused consternation in Milan and the subject provinces Cremona and Novarra rise up in rebellion.

Meanwhile, the Borgia Pope, Alexander, has ordered the Papal army under his illegitimate son Cesare Borgia to take Ancona.  The Papacy has invested in an artillery foundry at Ostia and Cesare is confident that he has the latest technology to take fortified cities.  The Borgia's are hoping to create their own principality in eastern Italy which will ensure their dominant position within the Papal states.  With the backing of Spain they are in a powerful position already.  Unfortunately, Ancona withstands the bombardment and is able to maintain supplies from the sea.  The papal army settles down for a long siege and Cesare is forced to write excuses to his father whilst also seeking ammunition for his heavy artillery.

Venice is watchful of the ambitions of the Duke of Milan and the Doge (with his eminence gris, il Duce Di Oerl) plan to counter his expansion by taking both Mantua and Ferrara and firmly securing their "Terra Firma" against any attacks from the south.  Mantua is riven by internal factions and a party sympathetic to the Venetians opens the main gates to the invading army.  However, the citizens if Ferrara have long hated Venice and they all but destroy the besieging army.

The Florentine senate is conscious of the threat faced by its powerful neighbours and seeks to expand its territory to maintain its influence.  Grumbling, the subject states of Florence suffer a heavy increase in taxation in order to fund these ambitions.  Light cavalry are recruited to increase its ability to scout enemy armies and its citizen army marches east to subdue the Romagna and Urbino.  Urbino is taken by bloody assault but the Romagna withstands the onslaught of the Florentine militia.

Meanwhile, the king of France is closely watching the situation in Northern Italy.  He has a claim on his mother's side to the Duchy of Milan as she was related to the dispossessed Visconti family who were usurped by the present Duke's uncle.  Aware of the power and prestige of Milan he organises an army to take back what he believes is his birthright.  Italian exiles and some Italian states urge on the King's ambitions.

Venice is concerned that Milan will call on the Holy Roman Emperor for aid and northern Italy will become a ravaged battlefield.  The Doge agrees treaties of mutual peace with Milan, Florence and the Pope, hoping that this will prevent an escalation into a war that none of the Italian states will be able to control.

As spring turns to summer, Cesare receives fresh supplies from his father and the reinvigorated Papal army subdues Ancona after an intense bombardment.  Cesare is feted in Rome and the Pope orders a month of festivities to celebrate the great victory of his son.

In Milan the situation worsens.  The citizens of Como rise up in protest against the high taxation and send for aid from the French king.  There is talk of intrigue and plots against the Duke.  Venice sends some help but the Duke is forced to ask the Emperor for aid.  The Emperor has long held the belief that Milan is a fief of the Holy Roman Empire and he would like to replace the Sforza with one of his own family; but he would much prefer the Sforza than the French in control of Milan.  As the French march directly on Milan, a German army moves through the Alpine passes of the Tyrol to prevent a Sforza defeat.

The Duke of Milan, gambling on the success of Imperial arms, is resolved to take Modena.  He orders Da Vinci to help with the siege, and the maestro constructs engines of war of such ingenuity that the German mercenaries are able once more to assault the city walls and take it by storm; maddened by their ordeal none of the garrison are spared.  Inspite of the grim situation, the Duke has restored his reputation and the citizens of Milan begin to hope that they may still be saved.

The Imperial army arrives at nearly the same time as the French army, but supported by the local population it is able to better supply itself and settles down into defences near the city to await a French attack.  The French are struggling to maintain their position in hostile territory and with orders to be cautious, the French fall back on to the friendly province of Como.  Again, the Duke's reputation is enhanced by the success of his ally.

The Venetians are worried by the involvement of the Emperor.  He is no friend of the Doge and claims that Friulli is rightfully part of the Empire.  However, they are unwilling to directly oppose the French and are dismayed that the Florentines are unable to better restrain their ally.  The battered remnants of their army withdraws from Ferrara as the Venetians draw in their forces in the expectation that they might come under attack in the near future.

The Florentines, and their chief minister Machiavelli, are content with how their plans have progressed.  Sitting on a large war chest and suffering no repercussions at home, they renew the attack on the Romagna whilst conducting an active if benign foreign policy.  The Romagna continues to defy continued attacks but by late summer it has no strength left and the exhausted Florentine army secures the province.  Machiavelli is pleased that his plans have succeeded and aware that the Pope has many enemies, he is the last in Italy to be surprised at the news of the Borgia Pope's death.

Pope Alexander is said to have died from the excesses of the month long celebration of his son's victory.  A conclave of cardinals was quickly formed to elect a new pope and Cesare was confident of securing the Pontificate as he had Spanish support and an army at his back.  However, powerful interests were ranged against him.  Della Roviere had been in exile in France for many years.  His lands had been confiscated by the Borgia and many of his kinsmen had been personally murdered by Cesare.  He had tried to poison and assassinate Alexander on many occasions but had been thwarted each time by Cesare.  Obviously, he was the natural choice to be the next head of Christ's church on earth and the French king was able to secure votes and money to ensure his election as Pope Julius II.  Cesare was forced to flee to Naples for his life!

As Autumn arrived in the Po valley, the Imperial army advanced into Como.  The Duke sent Da Vinci to help in it's preparations and the defence works he designed and constructed were celebrated as a marvel of the modern age.  The French army was also entrenched and reluctant to try its luck against Da Vinci's field works.  However, the French court was angry at the lack of aggression by the French commander and many in the army wrote home of lost opportunities and missed chances to take Milan and humiliate the Emperor.  Bowing to the pressure at home, the king left Paris to take personal charge of his army, vowing to take Milan before the onset of winter.

Machiavelli's hubris was somewhat shaken by rebellions in Piombino and Camandoli.  The harvest had been poor and anger at the level of taxation had been building up during the summer.  The senate decided to consolidate its recent gains and ordered detachments to billet themselves in Pisa where there had been rumblings of discontent amongst the nobilty.  The army was so weakened by its campaigns in Urbino and the Romagna that it was in no fit state to put down the rebellions.  However, as the year came to an end Machiavelli remained content that with an ally as Pope and a French army deployed in Lombardy, Florentine influence and power was strong.

Venetian fears were confirmed that their strategic position was worsening at news that the Swiss Grisons had descended from their mountain strongholds to take the Tyrolean passes and cut off supplies to the Imperial army.  The Grisons had long been enemies of the Emperor and had claimed the Tyrol as rightfully theirs.  They were known to oppose any Imperial control of Milan but it was a mystery as to how and from where they had secured funds for their attack.  The Emperor threatened to retreat from Milan through Venetian territory unless the Doge came to his aid.  Fearful that the French would quickly overwhelm Milan he felt he had no choice but to open up Vincenza, Brescia and Treviso as supply routes for the Imperial army.

Buoyed by his election and secure that there was no threat from the north, Pope Julius risked an attack into Neopolitan territory.  The papacy had long claimed Abruzzi as a fief of the Vatican and declaring no ill will against the Spanish he hoped to secure the province before winter and before any Spanish army of relief.  He would then use diplomacy to hold on to his gains.  The French king supports the Popes plans as he is jealous of Spanish control of Naples.  Unfortunately, the papal army was weakened by its campaign in Ancona and the Abruzzians put up a spirited defence in spite of the fearsome Papal artillery and generous bribes.  A desperate assault takes the city walls but the garrison retreats to the citadel in the hope of a relieving army.  The following day swarms of Spanish Jinetes announce the imminent arrival of the main Spanish army.  The Spanish Viceroy conducts an effective harrying of the papal army as it barely escapes back to Ancona.  Julius's gamble has failed and he now faces the prospect of war with Spain.

At this point shocking news hits all the courts of Europe.  The Ottoman Sultan has arrayed an enormous army at Constantinople and his legendary admiral Barborossa is conducting destructive raids against Christian territories across the Mediterranean.  No one in Christendom knows where the main attack will fall.  The outlying strongholds of the Venetian empire demand help from the Doge and a fleet is despatched to Cyprus in anticipation of an attack.  The Imperial Diet demands that the Emperor devotes his power to the defence of the Empire and the Spanish king is concerned at the vulnerability of his extensive coastal provinces.  Pope Julius cannot believe his luck and a mass is said in thanks to God!  With no army and little means to withstand a Spanish attack he declares a crusade and promises to help Spain in it's hour of need.  The Spanish Vice Roy is ordered to make an immediate peace with the Pope which Julius sweetens by ordaining several new Spanish cardinals including the Viceroys son.

The repercussions of the crusade are wide ranging.  The French king is forced to call off his attack on Milan in solidarity with the Emperor against the Turk.  He is angry that he has made such little gain for all his exertions and takes Como as compensation; he demands that Florence give him either Urbino or the Romagna in payment for his alliance.

Without the support of the Imperial Diet, the Emperor has no resources to enforce his will in Northern Italy.  He demands territory from either Venice or Milan in compensation.  The Grisons, aware that the Imperial army is returning, relinquish the Tyrol and flee into the mountains.

As 1500 comes to an end taxes are collected and plans made for the coming year.

Perfect six scenics

Gents just found this site has some cool stuff in it

www.perfectsixscenics.co.uk/



Spanish Renaissance Army - half done

By which I mean the Spanish in Italy up to 1518 is done.  I forgot to make up 4 skirmisher bases for the battle with Ian (now done) and have also based up some more Genitors (skirmish horse) as well as more artillery (which will sit behind my lovely entrenchments to pop away at all comers).

This will form the core of the Imperial army (post 1518) - which moves into pre-tercio units with combined pike and shot.  Interestingly all books I've read on the Italian Wars suggest that such units were available and used by the Spanish well before that date but are not in the PoW lists.

Modern Spearhead

Bought a copy of this on Ebay for £4.

You never know!  Rules very similar but the T&OE significantly heftier.  Fun stuff like ECM affecting your opponents command and control, very tough AFV's but similarly very effective anti-armour weaponry.  Looks like as soon as units get into range, all hell breaks loose!

Anyway, I'll bring them down Thursday so you can have a peek.

Venetian(ish) vs Spanish on the fields of Italy. Around 1501.

Ian invited me for a game on Monday to try out the Spanish Italian Wars army.  As you can tell from the PoW list, they are not strong out in the open as any pike army will munch through their infantry (although the cavalry are actually not too bad).  However, the Spanish are allowed to dig entrenchments to hide behind and that's what I did.

We rolled for terrain and got lost of steep hills and fortified towns.  Unluckily Ian got to choose which side he was coming in on - had I the choice I could have created an impassible redoubt between hills and BUA's that his cavalry heavy army would have struggled to work against.

As it was, I had an open area to let my cavalry out of leading onto fields that also proved hard to cross and had I placed my troops slightly better I could have given Ian a much closer run for his money.  As it was though I basically strung them out in a line but this meant that mutual support was lacking and also my own troops couldn't jump out to exploit a shaken opponent.

I need to consider deeper entrenchments on a narrower front.  With the rule amendments mentioned by Ian and with a better disposition, the Spanish should be a tough nut to crack - as long as they don't move.  They are essentially the Renaissance version of Romans...pick a spot, defend it then come out once the damage is done.

The layout.  I wanted to be on the right but ended up on the left.  Damn!

As you can see, a strong position but once over the trench you're in.  

With hindsight, I should have shortened the lines of communication and left gaps in the line to allow my troops to jump out.

The terrain causes Ian loads of problems

If I had my cavalry out in the open before the start, Ian would have had major problems.  The hills and BUA's narrowed his frontage of all his troops to one-base columns.  The skirmishers and light cavalry could have chipped away and then let the lance-armed infantry smash into them.  Imagine a 'Retire Shaken' result on this lot!

Again, cavalry roaming around would have had some fun here!  Instead we wait patiently for the opposition to set up.

I move the troops from our right as dispositions become clear,

As Ian came on, I decided that the centre looked a bit weak and so moved the troops on the right to hold the hill in our centre (a gentle one) knowing that any troops that tried to get through the fortified town would take ages to get through as the hill next to it was impassable to cavalry.

All the action is on the left

Ian saw my left as the most obvious point of attack and sent most of his cavalry that way.  I benefited slightly from the fields being hard to cross and some early successes for my Genitors were scored.  But sheer weight of numbers and me rolling 2 or 1 for pips each turn saw them take the upper hand eventually.

Tit-for-tat as we trade units around the open fields.

The Venetians push through and are charged in their turn

The whole battle seemed to be played out in the lower left quarter.  As Ian's cavalry pushed through they were hit in turn by our own cavalry and it led to a confused clash as units routed on either side.

I get Ian on the front and flank and still he survives!

A couple of times I had to charge units in with little hope of success just to try to hold the line - with varied results.  Often I just bounced or Ian got a good morale roll but he had the numbers on his side on that flank.

On the right, Ian threatened to come to grips but a few crossbow bolts made up his mind for him and he retired to the rear and allowed his mercenaries to do the dirty work.  The Landschnects piled forward but the entrenchments meant that his charge bonuses were lost and for a short time the crossbow and skirmishers held up 4 units of pike and inflicted a few shakens on them.  If only the sword and bucklers could have got into the flanks - it would have been murder.  But as the entrenchments protected my troops they also acted as a barrier to them as well.  Definitely a rethink required!

I move to the centre as the Landschnects start threatening the line.

Aside from that, the main issue was the Landschnects rumping up the middle which proved to be the main problem I had to face.  My artillery had been badly placed - they should have been either on the left or the right.  Ian's own artillery placement was 'suspect' - being 12.5" out and therefore not very effective (he needed the Shakespeare wavy ruler).

The Landscnects didn't have it their own way and the shooting did do some damage but not enough to deter them.  It took lucky rolls from me to stay on the barricades.  However, it also took them a long time to get over and there may be ways in which the pesky Swiss could be held up this way.

Some good, some bad

As the fighting intensified, my musketeers were charged from behind - and forced into the open (but Ian's cavalry too were getting worn down by my Men at Arms.  However, I started losing units for routing rolls which was taking its toll.  The Landschnects though (see above) found it hard going despite just facing off some skirmishers and crossbows (the latter of which stayed in the fight far longer than they should have!).

Once over the barricade it would have been hard to stop them.  We only had a couple of turns to go and it would have taken more than that to get the Landschnects over the barricades but my left was crumbling fast.  I called it for a narrow Venetian victory and the honours to Ian.  But food for thought for both armies.  If the trenchworks had been narrower and deeper, it could have swung the other way as the horses would have foundered.

Great fun and thanks for Ian for putting it on.