Category Archives: Renaissance

Smaller Actions

DBR, Renaissance

Even a passing review of historical battles quickly identifies the scale and scope of engagements can vary widely. For many players this can mean that different rules can be used, but for me I tend to prefer to use the same rules where possible. I have written on the merits of changing the size of games, be they historical battles or fictional actions before. Larger sprawling actions, where significant larger numbers of troops can be deployed, can create fascinating challenges around time and space particularly in relation to reinforcements or commitments of reserves. Likewise, smaller actions can be ideal when time is short or when different tactical situations can be explored.

Recently a regular opponent was keen to try a Renaissance game using the De Bellis Renationis (DBR) rules by Phil Barker. Over the years we have played several games but unfortunately never in sufficient number for him to cement his knowledge of the rules.

An English Civil War Regiment in 15mm.

This time he wondered if we could play a smaller encounter as something of a refresher. Specifically one that would allow us to focus on rule mechanics. Though smaller it provided a first class encounter.

As to the armies, my opponent was also keen to use his Ottomans Turks. After a little consideration I determined to oppose him with an English army of the 1640’s. My own army selection was inspired in part by the expeditions of the New Model Army to the West Indies. However, with an engagement against the Ottomans planned something of a European focus was required. The Cretan War seemed the perfect place to start. This historical war was fought between the Venetians and Ottomans and started in 1645. The war would also draw in Dutch and English ships and later a French expedition. Enough historical justification existed, at least for me, to support a “what if”.

If you are interested in a short summary of our game it can be found here.

Renaissance Armies in 6mm

Renaissance, Renaissance 6mm

Readers of this blog will recall that recently a section was added which provided suggestions on forming 6mm armies using the extensive Heroics & Ros range of miniatures where specific armies are not defined.

While Heroics & Ros already have ranges for the Renaissance and English Civil War using them to represent other armies of the period is not always straight forward. In this week’s update I provide a short guide to building several other armies for Renaissance period which include using figures from several ranges. Specifically we consider building Ottoman, French and Spanish of the Italian Wars, Knights of St John as well as the Swedish and Imperialists of the Thirty Years’ War.

Battle of Lützen 1632 by Matthäus Merian.

As noted previously this is a collaborative project between myself and Jean-Marc Largeaud who invested considerable effort in documenting the various miniatures he has used. This resource was originally available through his website “Vendheaume Fighters” which is currently off-line.

The article on building Renaissance Armies in 6mm can be found here. For those wishing to look at the full range of articles in the growing series they can be found here.

Revisiting the Civil War

British Civil War, DBR, Renaissance

Friday evening provided an opportunity for another fictional English Civil War encounter. This time our engagement would take place in 1644 rather than 1642. The change in year resulted in a number of differences between the earlier armies used in our previous game.

So what difference does a couple a little over a year make? By 1644 the number of muskets available to Royalist forces was increasing due to a number of factors. This resulted in a greater ratio of musket to pike being found in Royalist field armies. From a wargame perspective this also meant my opponent could more easily experiment with reinforcing his cavalry with commanded shot.

Parliamentarian cavalry prepare to be charged

For the Parliamentarians changes were also occurring. A series of defeats of Parliamentarian horse was slowly resulting in tactical changes. The most notable example being the horse under Cromwell. Increasingly Roundhead cavalry were retaining their pistols for melee, rather than discharging them by caracole prior, and charging home. These tactics increasingly meant the Roundhead cavalry could hold their own on the field. Both these changes would be reflected in our game.

But enough background. If you are interested in reading of our most recent encounter, the fictional Battle of Fawcett Magna, you can find it here.

Battle of Atherton – 1642

British Civil War, DBR, Renaissance

When time is limited it is often easier to organise games using rule systems that all the players are familiar with. This is especially so when work schedules interfere with wargaming activities. However, during a recent evening of gaming discussion turned to Renaissance wargaming. It was soon apparent that two of the players in attendance were keen to deploy some Renaissance miniatures, something that hasn’t happened for a while.

Parliamentarian Horse in 15mm

A game was scheduled and would use 15mm miniatures and the De Bellis Renationis (DBR) rules. For those interested a short description of the game, along with a few photos, can be found here.

Melfordshire Aflame

British Civil War, DBR

I have been negligent in posting of my Renaissance gaming activities of late, despite the fact we have actually been playing a reasonable number of DBR games. In attempt to rectify this situation I have decided to post a couple of photos and a brief description of our most recent encounter. Having travelled the Renaissance world, experiencing colonial engagements in Africa and the East, we returned during March to the green pastures of England to continue the campaigns between Royalist and Roundhead. In the last two games I have fielded a Parliamentary Army of 1643 while my opponent Royalists.

In the first such encounter I suffered terribly for my decision to field a considerable number of horse against the Royalists. As was historically illustrated repeatedly during the early part of the war, Parliamentarian horse could simply not stand the concerted cavalier charge. Indeed, in our first game both my Lobsters as well as other Roundhead were ridden down by the Royalist rabble. The rout was so quick, and so definitive, there was hardly a battle to record!

Last night our forces once again took the field. This time a fascinating engagement took place where both commanders were presented with some interesting challenges on and around Wrotham Common.