'Shall Not the Roundhead Soon be Confounded?'

The Battle of Edgehill, 1642

View from behind the left of the Parliamentarian line, with the village of Radway in the distance.

Will brought in his Jacobite Rebellion paper army to our local club in February, and along with them the rules for 'Rebels & Patriots' (of the 'Lion Rampant' school of thought).

This motivated me to modify the rules for fighting a big battle with my own 2mm nano-scale English Civil War collection. This I did, and hosted the same at the Trumpeter's Gaming Society in March.

Below is an account of the resulting the Battle of Edgehill (1642) re-fight, with myself as umpire and with Ian, Chris and Gary kind enough to give it a try.

A big shout-out to Will for lending me his camera!

The armies deployed, as seen from the Royalist right. Radway village sits in the middle of Royalist position, while the village of Edgehill sits on the heights to the left.  

In brief:

The Parliamentarians won a protracted cavalry battle on their right and followed up with their infantry in the centre. The Royalist Brigades of Foot eventually gave way after a long fight, thus leaving Rupert's Cavalry wing isolated.

The cavalry on the Parliamentarian left were strangely inactive throughout the battle, but Rupert's Royalist Horse could not come to gripes with them (lots of bad activation dice rolling by poor Rupert!). And while Parliament's left were pushed back as far as the town of Kineton, the Royalist could do nothing to exploit this by battle's end.

The centre of the Royalist position as seem from the village of Edgehill on the heights behind it.

Wilmot commands the Royalist left.

Prince Rupert can make no headway on the Royalist right. The visually devastating die makes a good status marker at this scale. The white clot on Rupert's command stand is his 2mm devil-dog, 'Boye'.

Meanwhile Parliament's right regroups...

Parliament's left stands firm. Ballard's regiments of foot have gone into 'hedgehog'.

The Royalist right and centre collapse.

A strange episode from the battle: With his left threatened, King Charles led his last reserve -- the Gentlemen Pensioners -- in an attack on some Parliamentarian Horse. He routed Fielding's Regiment from the field... and then pursued them off to the far left, thus abandoning his army! Did he think, in the smoke-filled swirl of battle, that he was charging into the heart of the enemy position? Or did he think that his army was done for and decided to do a runner? Or did he simply loose his tiny 2mm mind?

Last moves: Ian seals off the what's left of the Royalists, and with them their fate. With their left gone, along with four of their five infantry brigades (and Charles himself!), Rupert throws in the towel.

Game was a chess-like and interesting one that kept everyone engaged. Once again, these rules proved impressive for their flexibility and simplicity.  Thanks to Ian (Essex), Chris (King Charles/Rupert), and Gary (Ramsay) for taking part.

So,was the Roundhead confounded? Not this time! Below is the Royalist recruiting song that the title of this blog posting was taken from:

What, though the zealots pull down the prelates,

Push at the pulpit, and kick at the crown;

Shall we not never once more endeavour,

And strive to purchase our ancient renown?

Shall not the Roundhead soon be confounded?

Sa- sa- sa- say, boys; ha- ha- ha- hey, boys,

Then we'll return with triumph and joy!

Then we’ll be merry, drink claret and sherry;

Then we will sing, boys, ‘God Bless the King!’ boys,

Cast up our caps, and cry, ‘VIVE LE ROY!’

What, though that ‘wise-ache’ Alderman Isaac

Puts us in prison and steals our estates;

Though we be forcèd to be un-horsèd,

And walk on foot as it pleaseth the fates;

In the King's army no man shall harm ye!

Then come along, boys, valiant and strong, boys,

Fight for your goods, which the Roundheads enjoy!

And when you venture London to enter,

And when you come, boys, with pike and drum, boys,

Isaac himself shall cry, ‘VIVE LE ROY!’

If you should choose Charles (do not refuse Charles,

Since ‘honest Parliament' ever were thieves!),

Charles will not further have rogues dripped in murder,

Neither by pardons, long life, or reprieves;

Such propositions and conditions

Will not be granted. Then be not daunted!

We will our honest old customs enjoy!

St. Paul's, now rejected, shall be respected,

And in the choir, voices sing higher,

Thanks be to heaven, and cry, ‘VIVE LE ROY!’