More scenarios for SPI's Yeoman

Andrew J. Gilham

The PRESTAGS series is in many ways a landmark in the art of warfare
simulation, being the first complete set of full-sized games using
compatible rules to simulate tactical combat in four millenia. The fluid
game system encourages the amateur gamer to compose his own scenarios to
augment the large selection included. The following three scenarios are
designed for 'Yeoman' and feature English armies, as opposed to the
somewhat 'Mediterranean' scenarios in the game.

I wholeheartedly recommend the use of all optional rules, with the
notable exception of Si-move, which really isn't worth the trouble. In
particular, the use of the Unit Capability Chart makes 'Yeoman' a
simulation, rather than a game.

Of these scenarios, 'Morlaix' and 'Auberoche' are well balanced, while
'Tewkesbury', though unbalanced, is historically accurate.

MORLAIX

(9.7) Morlaix (29th September 1342)

French: 6MI, 14HC, 2x"3".
Victory Points: 92; Panic Level: 28.
Deploy: F-6; Stacking: 2.

English: 2 PS, 4 LB, 1 x"2", 1 x"3", 4 Trenches.
Victory Points: 22; Panic Level: 9
Deploy: within one hex of line JK; Stacking: 2,

Game Length: 15 Game-turns.

Victory Conditions: French must achieve a marginal victory. English must
achieve a substantive victory.

Terrain Modifications: Ignore all slope hexes.

Historical Notes: The Earl of Northampton landed with 3000 men at Brest
in August 1342, and laid siege to the town of Morlaix, in Brittany.
Meanwhile, Charles de Blois raised an army 15000 strong and marched to
the relief of the town. The armies met, and this first battle of the
Hundred Years' War set the pattern for most of those to follow; to wit,
the French feudal cavalry charged madly at the English archers and were
cut down. However, the English were hardpressed to repel the large
French army. The action was not decisive, being a relatively minor
engagement.

AUBEROCHE

(9.8) Auberoehe (20th October 1345)

English: Force A: 2 LB. Force B: 1 HC, 1x"2". Force C: 1 HC, 1 LB, lx"3".
Victory Points. 22; Panic Level: 6.
Deploy: Force A: R4, Force B: S-1, Force C: in village adjacent to hex N.
Stacking: 2.

French: 12 SD/MC, 1x"3".
Victory Points: 25; Panic Level: 5.
Deploy: (2130) -2 and/or N-1 (not in village).
Stacking: 2.

Game Length: 15 Game-turns.

Victory Conditions: English must achieve a decisive victory. French must
achieve a marginal victory.

Special Rules: English HC and LB in village (actually a castle) may
stack together initially, but once unstacked they may not restack. They
may not move as a stack. French MC must initially be unmounted and
unstacked (only one per hex).

Historical Notes: During the early stages of the Hundred Years' War, the
Count de I'Isle laid seige to the English-held castle of Auberoche (in
Gascony), commanded by Sir Frank Halle. Sir Frank sent word to the Earl
of Derby at Bordeaux, who gathered an army of 400 men-at-arms and 800
archers to relieve Auberoche. Outnumbered six to-one, Derby attacked the
French camp by surprise with his troops whilst Sir Frank made a sortie.
The unprepared French were routed with heavy losses and de I'Isle was
among those captured.

Tewkesbury

(10.6) Tewkesbury (4th May 1471)

Lancaster: 3 HC, 2 MC, 12 Ml, 5 CB, 2x"3"
Victory Points: 55; Panic Level: 18.
Deploy: K4 and /or L4. Stacking: 2.

York: 7 HC, 4 MC, 6 MS, 4 CB, 1x"2", 2x"3".
Victory Points: 85; Panic Level: 43.
Deploy: S-4; Stacking: 2.

Game Length: 15 Game-turns.

Victory Conditions: Yorkists occupy hexes "K" and "L" at the end of the
game and achieve a marginal victory. Lancastrians must avoid Yorkist
victory conditions and occupy hex "S".

Terrain Modifications: Ignore all terrain except for woods hexes.

Special Rule: York deploys first, Lancaster moves first.

Historical Notes: After the defeat at Barnet, the Lancastrian army was
crushed decisively. As at Barnet, this was a confused action with
suspected treachery in the Lancastrian ranks.