Wednesday 9 September 2015

Berne Baby Berne - game pics.

My Burgundian army had it's second day in the field, along with the Swiss that I've done to date, at Partizan show at Kelham Hall last Sunday. This was my contribution to an informal group we've called The Bodkins, who've been formed with the intention of putting on medieval demo games.


The decision to put on a Swiss- Burgundian game was a relatively late one and so myself, Dave Andrews and David Imrie spent a rather frantic few weeks painting extra figures and basing up older ones. Our concern that we'd not have enough to fill the 10 x 6 table was unfounded on the day - when following set-up we realised that ideally we really could have done with a longer table to allow the contingents some tactical elbow room.





The final set-up looked as we'd hoped it would do - visually appealing with three large pike blocs and supporting troops for the Swiss Confederation, whilst the Burgundians put their mounted troops on the wings, with shot and pikes in the centre. Terrain tiles and trees were by Keith Warren of Realistic Modelling Services and the fortified church is a hand crafted model by John Boadle. Thanks to all those who have passed kind and positive comments on the game.


We played the game using Impetus rules and after a few hours the Swiss appeared to be getting the upper hand. They had advanced in historical echelon formation, with the massive vorhut looking fairly impregnable, despite being shot at and attacked by mounted men at arms. On the other wing Darrell Hindley led a heroic charge of men at arms against other pikes, causing casualties but being repulsed.

We have discussed playing a full game out, perhaps based closely on Morat, but that will have to be next year. In the meantime the Bodkins are continuing to plan and prep for a different historical mediaeval game. Pictures here include some borrowed from Darrell and 'Wargames Illustrated'.
























and finally...some Bodkins....


17 comments:

  1. Stunning, absolutely stunning, and it looks like you had fun too which is the main thing. I think to not do any of the great battles now would be an injustice.

    ReplyDelete
  2. On an obscure sadistic level requiring a new army I'd personally like to see Montlhery or a what if based on the siege of Neuss which in particular could lead to a very colourful and varied opponent. And all if the Swiss wars, by next Christmas at every show if you could be so kind...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great pics and such a memorable day. It was a *real* pleasure to take part in such a beautiful spectacle..... roll on the next Bodkin's Day Out! :>)

    Darrell.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Absolutely magnificent - you are stirring the inspirational juices in a few of us.

    Would love to know how Impetus was adjusted for the large units - we use Impetus heavily but am increasingly wanting to use it reproduce historical encounters that make large units mandatory if they are look great - which you have done in spades.

    Thanks
    Richard

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Richard. Jack's reply below will hopefully assist you? Thanks, Simon.

      Delete
  5. now that is an awesome spectacle, you can almost hear the clash of steel. Sadly i couldn't make it at the weekend, so i'm very glad you took so many photos!

    cheers
    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  6. Simply awesome, the quality and amount of figures is breathtaking!

    ReplyDelete
  7. As this was more a display than a game the huge pike blocks were treated as deep and with supports. Only losing 1 casualty instead of the possibility of losing whole units. There were different basing sizes in play so using the rules as written was impractical for this game. Based on base sizes the smallest Swiss unit was about 16 Impetus units and the largest about 24 units.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jack. Thanks for the explanation- and for your excellent rules guidance on the day. I play too infrequently to know them well enough.
      Simon

      Delete
    2. It was entirely my pleasure.

      Delete
  8. Truly magnificent, epic in scale. The Swiss pikeblocs are awesome and make my Swiss army effort look puny!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow! That's simply a fantastic looking game!

    Christopher

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very inspirational, the fortified church is a nice touch.

    Well done all involved

    ReplyDelete
  11. Fabulous! Seems to be a fantastic game, love the buildings, armies and camp...

    ReplyDelete
  12. click These photos were beautiful. I didn’t want this post to end.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nice post i am inspired to your article. Your writing skill is very different, i like your posts. I also have important information about How to
    Mix Parlay

    ReplyDelete