Home Forums Renaissance The Battle of the Yellow Ford -Ireland 1598

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  • #126074
    Avatar photoOB
    Participant

    For anyone following the series of Nine Years War articles on my blog I’ve now reached the Battle of the Yellow Ford.  It was a big one by Irish standards and, I think, an interesting one.  Parts 1 and 2 are at the link.

    https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

    Irish Wars

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

    #126106
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    Well, that battle certainly sounds like it was a serious mess for the English.  Waiting for part 3 and the conclusion, but I’m betting things might have gone far differently had Aristocratic self-importance not reared it’s ugly head.

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

    #126110
    Avatar photoOB
    Participant

    Young Sir Richard seems to have had a touch of the Cardigan’s about him.  So far as I know he never accepted that he had done anything wrong.

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

    #126168
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    I guess “Affluenza” is an illness as old as time and not a modern invention….

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

    #126191
    Avatar photoSteelonsand
    Participant

    Wow ! You just keep upping your game with each successive post on this subject – a really gripping narrative that is building to an compelling conclusion…..

    What was Percy thinking ? – was it some form of ‘target fixation’ – did he think that the Irish would just melt away if he pushed on to the garrison? – get to the goal and he would win the race and the battle? I suppose a sortie from the beleaguered might have helped, but…..

    seems really to prove the maxim that a plan only survives until contact with the enemy – the ‘Battle’ formation was on paper such a good idea, but the skilful and effective use of the Irish shot coupled with the practical obstacle of the earthwork…. well…… Perhaps some decent scouting would have helped….. Looking forward to part the Third

     

    #126202
    Avatar photoOB
    Participant

    Thanks, it’s been one of those things that’s a pleasure to write.

    I think you are spot on on Bagenal’s battle plan it would have probably worked brilliantly but it relied on Tyrone doing what Bagenal wanted. It also shows us that Bagenal went out to fight a decisive battle that’s why he took the cannon along.  Had he simply wished to re-provision the Black Water Fort he could have simply marched with flanks screened by loose shot and Horse and left the ordinance behind to improve his speed.

    I agree on the scouting too, Bagenal had 350 very good heavy cavalry and he didn’t think to scout 4 miles ahead.

    As to Percy I think he might have been glory hunting and didn’t realise how dangerous the Irish Army was.  A lot of the English commanders had been at Clontibret and knew it would be a very hard fight.  Percy hadn’t been there and, he was the most aristocratic of the officers, and probably thought he knew best.

    The third part will be up later next week.

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

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