I had another play through of the Whyteladyes Lane scenario last weekend, hoping to put my previous defeat (to John) behind me as I sent Bevan’s Royalists running from the field. As is now usual, the game was played over Zoom, with markers showing the number of each unit so that Bevan could more easily work out which of his troops were where.

The game is a tough one for the Roundheads, as they begin the game in an extended column against ready-for-them Cavaliers in a more sensible formation.

Last time, I had pushed forward right from the start, and been chewed up piecemeal. This time I decided that I would form approximately on the head of my column and work from there.

This definitely seemed to work much better, and although I still had one unit (the one at the head of the column) isolated, I now had a bit of a battle line formed to hold the front whilst the rest of my troops deployed. As you can see in the photo below, the Royalists spotted my isolated Highlanders and charged them with a small unit of “bodyguard” Cuirassiers.

All my cavalry were on my right flank, so I advanced them forward to block his cavalry moving down behind a hedge and into my rear.

Usually I charge my Dutch-style horse in as soon as possible but, this time, knowing that the enemy Swedish-style horse would then take the initiative through a counter-charge (something my more ponderous units cannot do) I decided to employ more historical tactics and halt just beyond charge range and discharge my pistols into the advancing enemy.

This worked a treat, as you’ll see in the picture below. All three units to the right are disordered, but it will only take one more hit to break either of the enemy horse units, whereas my greater numbers mean that I can survive another two hits.

All now seemed to be going well, and even Bevan confessed later that he felt that, at this stage, I had the advantage. That was, unfortunately, about to change!

If you look at the picture, below, you’ll see that out at the top of the screen two Royalist units are overlapping my line. I should have taken steps to deal with these immediately, probably by withdrawing back over the hedge or by moving sideways…but I didn’t, not seeing how much of a threat these would turn out to be.

This was a bad mistake, compounded by my response: I thought I move forwards out of danger by breaking through the enemy line.

This is the situation (below) a few minutes later: the enemy unit of pikemen dressed in red in the centre of the photo have swept in from the left and destroyed two of my pike units.

My unit dressed in blue managed to get onto their flank, but the cards didn’t fall for me, and the Royalists would go on to destroy the Highlanders as well. That was nine Victory Medals gone in one fell swoop!

To add insult to injury, on the other side of the field my Dutch horse had now been forced into engaging two battalia of enemy pike: not something that horse enjoy doing! The game continued for another couple of turns, but the writing was on the wall. I eventually had no choice except to order a retreat.

Afterword

I came close this time, so I think when I replay this scenario again I will try pulling back my column and forming on the hedge line behind the first couple of battalia.

Whatever the result, another great game of FK&P: I shall just have to get my revenge at Cookham Moor this afternoon!