Following the major Royalist defeat at Marston Moor, 2nd July 1644, the Parliamentarians decided to strike into the mid Wales and Severn valley area. Parliamentary forces in this area had just succeeded in capturing a royalist convoy. These Parliamentarians were then in turn chased down by the local Royalist commander and forced to take refuge in the medieval castle of Montgomery on the Welsh border. Collecting together troops from the area and nearby the Parliamentarian army under Sir John Meldrum marched to relieve their besieged comrades at Montgomery and start their campaign in this area. But unknown to the advancing Parliamentarians the local Royalists had received substantial reinforcements from Chester under Sir John Byron. The stage was set for what would be the decisive turning point in the civil war in this area.

Battlefield

Each square is 6 to 8 base widths by 6 to 8 base widths. So it should usually be about 6 foot by 4 foot (180cm by 120 cm).

Terrain

The River Camlad can be crossed but it takes a whole turn and causes 3 DP's. There is a bridge over the river where the road crosses the river.

All the ridges and hills count as normal hills.

To the west of the Parliamentarians is an area of brush, marshes, etc. This counts as Boggy. To the West of the Royalists is an enclosed field. You need to cross a minor obstacle to enter.

Deployment

Royalists

The Royalist army is deployed on the ridge. If doing the historical battle the infantry are in squares B4, C4 and D4. The two Battalia were on the right with the other three units on the left, the dragoons behind the other two units. The cavalry are in E4 and F4 but can not be within 6" of the table edge. The cavalry are in two lines with the 1st squadrons being the first line. If the players agree free deployment can be used.

Parliamentarians

The Parliamentarians reinforcements are not on table at the start of the game and arrive as noted below. The infantry are deployed in squares B2, C2 and D2. Historically Brereton's nearest the bridge, then Booth's and finally Mainwaring's. Sir Thomas Myddleton's and the Derbyshire Horse are in squares A1, A2, B1 and B2. They must be south of the river and east of the boggy ground. The remaining three cavalry units, the 1st squadrons, are in E2 and F2 but can not be within 6" of the table edge. If the players agree free deployment can be used.

Parliamentarian Army OOB

Army Commander: Sir John Meldrum: Good (D6+2)

Infantry: Sgt-Major General James Lothian: Average (D6+1), Stubborn - commands all the infantry and up to 2 cavalry units.

Sir William Brereton's Foot: 6 Veteran I3 bases

Colonel George Booth's Foot: 5 Trained I3 bases

Colonel Henry Mainwaring's Foot: 4 Veteran I3 bases

Cavalry: Lt- General Sir William Fairfax: Good (D6+2), Swordsman, Doomed - commands as many cavalry units as desired.

1st Squadron, Sir William Fairfax's Horse: 3 Veteran Dutch (C2) bases

1st Squadron, Sir William Brereton's Horse: 3 Veteran Dutch (C2) bases

1st Squadron, Lancashire Horse: 3 Trained Dutch (C2) bases

Sir Thomas Myddleton's Horse: 3 Trained Swedish (C3) bases

Derbyshire Horse: 3 Trained Dutch (C2) bases

Reinforcements: On turn 2 roll a D6,on a 6 these unit arrive on the eastern board edge of squares F3 or F4. On turn 3 they need a 5 or 6, on turn 4 a 4, 5 or 6, etc. A 1 is always a failure.

2nd Squadron, Sir William Fairfax's Horse: 3 Veteran Dutch (C2) bases

2nd Squadron, Sir William Brereton's Horse: 3 Veteran Dutch (C2) bases

2nd Squadron, Lancashire Horse: 3 Trained Dutch (C2) bases

A number of issues need to be resolved before the game. Sir John Meldrum may operate just as army commander without direct control of any units or take personal control of 2 or more units, of any type, and act as a brigade commander as well. Sgt-Major General James Lothian may command up to 2 cavalry units. Also who commands the reinforcements when they arrive on table.

These issues must be decided before the game and also which units. It can not be changed during the game.

Royalist Army OOB

Army Commander: Sir John Byron: Poor (D6)

Infantry: Sgt-Major General Sir Richard Lawley: Average (D6+1)

Broughton's/Tillier's Battalia: 6 Veteran I3 bases

Warren's/Earnle's Battalia: 6 Veteran I3 bases

Sir Michael Woodhouse's Foot: 7 Trained I3 bases

Colonel Robert Ellis' Foot: 7 Trained I3 bases

Colonel Washington's Dragoons (Dismounted only): 5 Trained I1 bases

Cavalry: Colonel Mark Trevor: Average (D6+1)

1st Squadron, Colonel Mark Trevor's Horse: 4 Trained Swedish (C3) bases

2nd Squadron, Colonel Mark Trevor's Horse: 4 Trained Swedish (C3) bases

1st Squadron, Sir William Vaughan's Horse: 3 Veteran Swedish (C3) bases

2nd Squadron, Sir William Vaughan's Horse: 3 Veteran Swedish (C3) bases

1st Squadron, Sir Thomas Tyldesley's Horse: 3 Trained Swedish (C3) bases

2nd Squadron, Sir Thomas Tyldesley's Horse: 3 Trained Swedish (C3) bases

Sir John Byron may operate just as army commander without direct control of any units or take personal control of 2 or more units, of any type, and act as a brigade commander as well. This must be decided before the game and also which units. It can not be changed during the game. The other commanders must control at least 3 units.

The core details of this scenario were drawn from the excellent series of scenario books published by Paritzan Press. This scenario is based on the information on this battle in "English Civil Wars Gaming Scenarios: Volume 2" by Robert Giglio (2004). The authors thoroughly recommend this series of booklets.