Maldon is saved

I shall be hosting a Comitatus game based on the Battle of Maldon at Winchester Shieldwall on 21 November. In preparation we staged a play test to see how it might work out.

I incorporated a few elements from my Shieldwall rules (such as the intervention of the fates or god) to make the game more interesting.

Olaf Tryggvason’s Vikings have crossed the causeway and are deploying into battle formation.

Byrhtnoth has arrayed his men ready to meet the heathens. He is accompanied by a priest whose prayers result in a downpour which makes the ground soggy and disrupts the Viking advance.

As the lines close, Olaf’s heroic champion challenges Byrhtnoth to a duel. Byrhtnoth’s champion steps forth and the men fight it out. Olaf’s man has the upper hand but after fighting to exhaustion both champions pull back with honour satisfied on both sides.

On the Viking left Svein’s contingent presses forward as Saxon skirmishers harass them. The Vikings take the enemy missiles on their shields and are not overly concerned. Supporting Viking archers begin to inflict casualties on the Saxon skirmishers.

On the other flank Halfdan’s Vikings close in on Aelfwin’s Saxons. As they do a couple of  Berserkers rush forward in a frenzied charge. The Saxon shieldwall holds firm and the Berserkers are killed.

When the lines close neither side gains a significant advantage but the ferocious Viking charge is held.

A this point both wings are engaged in combat as Olaf and Byrhtnoth’s contingents face off on the centre and get ready to go in.

On the Saxon right Godric surges forward to seek out Svein in hand to hand combat. Svein accepts the challenge but is defeated and killed. Svein’s followers are shaken by the death of their leader. Svein’s Comitatus fights to the death to avenge him but the Saxons have the ascendancy.

Light infantry on both flanks have been exchanging missiles with no great effect until now. Encouraged by Godric’s success against Svein, the Saxon skirmishers on their right charge the Viking archers but they are driven back. On the other wing the Saxons succeed in breaking the Viking archers.

On the other flank Halfdan’s followers are routed by the Saxons and Halfdan’s Comitatus is being driven back.

In the centre the battle flows both ways with Byrhtnoth pushing back some of Olaf’s men as Olaf achieves success against Byrhtnoth's Comitatus.

At this point it is clear that the Saxons have won the day. Both Viking wings have been driven off and the centre is wavering.

Olaf now will pull back and make to the safety of his ships. Maldon is saved.