Gaming the Crusades

[OB]

I’m currently enjoying Jonathan Phillips excellent biography The Sultan Saladin.  The Crusades is a long- term interest for me and the book has inspired a new project.

In turn this has inspired a series of blog posts on the battles of the period and how the combatants fought.

The first on what we should be looking for in games of Crusading warfare is on my blog.

If it’s of interest here is the link:

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[OB]

 

Part 2 of my series on Crusading Warfare is now up on my blog.  It is mainly about archery and its tactical importance to both Franks and Muslims.  If it’s of interest here is the link.

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[Mr. Average]

I backed Microworld’s 6mm scale Crusader Kingdom set so this is definitely of interest to me!

[OB]

Good to hear Mr A.  There should be more next week.

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[OB]

The first part of my experimental Crusades game is now up on my blog.  It features King Guy of Jerusalem, Gerard Master of the Temple and Conrad Marquis of Montferrat and their retinues being intercepted on the march by the Ayyubids.

The battle is fictional but nearly happened when the Crusaders headed out for Acre after the fall of Jerusalem.

The point of the game was to see if I could successfully adapt an out of period rule set to one suiting Crusading warfare.  So far, it seems to be working nicely enough.

Part two should follow later this week.  If it’s of interest please click the link.

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[OB]

Part 2 of my experimental Crusades game is now on my blog.  It has proved eventful.  So far, I think it has captured the essentials of Crusader warfare well enough.  Knights have delivered their irresistible charge and other knights have had their horses shot from under them.

If the game continues to please it will likely become my default set of rules for the period.

If it sounds of interest here is the link:

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[Darkest Star Games]

Very good that it can mimic real life.  2 turns and so many casualties, yikes!

How do you think the rules would work in a hypothetical crusader vs crusader meeting?

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[OB]

Yeah, it seems to have reflected what we know of Crusades fighting.  I should say a turn runs through the entire card deck so quite a lot happens.

Yes, it would handle Crusader v Crusader battles very well.

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[OB]

The last part of my experimental Crusades game is now up on my blog.  I’m pleased with how it played out. The main features archery and the Frankish charge worked well.

Next time I want to try a Fatimid versus Crusader match up which is a very different type of battle.

If it sounds of interest please click the link below.

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[OB]

I’ve made a good start on my Byzantine Army for the Crusades.  I’m using figures from Legio Heroics and Outpost Wargames Services as they work well together.  The first 4 units are done, another 8 to do.  I’ve updated my blog accordingly if you are interested in Byzantines here is the link.

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[Mr. Average]

Still following this! A packet of 6mm fantasy crusaders is arriving today, and I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to handle the excitement.

Right now I have in mind to base them as units in 1” x 1” bases. That way they’re good for Mayhem, Warmaster, and any number of historical milieus (when the fantasy bits are held in abeyance). Have not had time yet to look at your blog – what rules are you using?

[OB]

I’m using a modified version of Never Mind the Billhooks.  Suprising I know, but it seems to deliver the goods as far as Crusading warfare goes.  It’s fun too.

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[OB]

I wrote a piece about the Bedouin in the Crusading period that might be of interest.  There are some pics of Legio Heroica and Outpost Bedouin too.

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[OB]

Some thoughts on the first battle of Ramla fought between the Crusaders and the Fatimids is now up on my blog.  It’s an interesting encounter.  I was particularly struck by the role and armament of the Black infantry.

If it is of interest here is the link.

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[OB]

I have added a couple of Sudanese units to my Fatimid Army along with a unit of Armenian cavalry.

The figures are from Legio Heroica and Outpost.  There are also some command figures and a base of Naphtha throwers.

If it is of interest here is the link.

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[Darkest Star Games]

Hey OB, how have the rules to this project wrapped up?  I’d love to give them a try for crusader types on crusader types, would fit in super well with this low-fantasy thing we are working on.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[OB]

Hiya DSG,

The rules are done and dusted.  They were inspired by Andy Callan’s NMTBH.  This in turn led to another project currently under wraps.

Let me have an email address for you and I’ll see what I can do.

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[Darkest Star Games]

Many thank yous!  Easiest would probably be “Info AT DarkestStarGames DOT com”.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[OB]

Sorry DSG, I’m having real trouble finding the file.  I suspect I may have saved it under a less than obvious name.

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[Darkest Star Games]

No problem sir, the minis have not yet been ordered.  😀  I do appreciate you looking.

 

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Cyrus]

Great looking armies OB! The Steve Tibble book Crusader Armies is a great read.

[OB]

Thanks DSG, if I manage to locate it I’ll let you know.

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[OB]

Tibble is a good read alright Cyrus.  He knows his stuff.

That said I don’t buy his big idea that the steppe Turks were just as alien to the locals as the Franks.  They weren’t, the Arabs had been interacting with the Turks for centuries.

The Turks did replace the Arabs as the premier warriors of Islam but that’s a different matter.

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[Author]

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