100 years war week - Battle of Mauron

 Whilst on tour visiting the combat of the thirty site near Josselin we also visited the battlefield of Mauron on the return trip after lunch. Much of the site today is under housing but the road to Rennes and St Levy still exist so it is easily placed. The manor near  the bridge still remains but is un-accessible and private, however the river Ivel can be walked in summer as it is not wide nor very marshy and has a walking path along the St Levy side. 

Brembili Manor stables

The memorial on the crossroads at Mauron. To the left to Rennes, to the right St Levy. 

We play tested the scenario on the tabletop with a very narrow win to the French, both sides were down to last point rolls and army break. The French suffered from a large number of ones….. 5 in fact for the division movements which allowed the English archers to heavily toll upon the French cavalry. Eventually the MAA met and the French made good use of a number of good rolls finally! 

HYW week! Combat of the Thirty

 100 Years War Week - Combat of the Thirty 

Last week we hosted David Knight, a huge fan of everything medieval and one of the authors of Test of Resolve medieval ruleset. David was on his forth visit to us for holidays and wanted to tour some more of our local 100 years war battlefields, which I was only to happy to oblige being a huge HYW fan myself. 

When the ground has been walked and the primary and secondary references are consulted the scenarios are written, the scenario will reflect the ground, references and some playability will be included. The first day tour visit was a visit to the real Rohan, the dukedom which is also the site of the Combat of the thirty, one of the most famous occurrences during the war of Breton succession. First a visit to Ploërmel for a coffee and walk of the city walls and medieval buildings in this flourishing city. Then a short drive to walk the battlefield site, a walk around the location visiting the 19th century column then a visit to the chapel of Saint Maud where three French-Bretons are buried, then the agreed meeting location at the fountain of Saint Maud, and finally the cross where the eight of the English Bretons are buried. Then an off the Josselin to have lunch, visit the chateau, then return to visit the battlefield of Mauron. 

Some photos and description of our battlefield tour of the combat of the Thirty. 

The Pyramid, the modern 19th century marker of combat of the thirty column 

Vanessa and Dāvīds turn

The marker of the combat, destroyed during the revolution and replaced in 1848

The plaque which is quite good, we cleaned it, I regularly carry cleaner in the car for these. 

Chapel of Saint Maud, the three Breton-French were buried here on the edge of the battlefield. The chapel was enlarged in the 17th century. It is only open on a few occasions now every year, the horse sale and patrimony weekend. 

David and I on the edge of the battlefield, the stream in the trees is the boundary behind us. 

The Shrine of Saint Maud, the defined location in historical documents of the actual meeting place. This location had been a Gallic, then Roman then a Christian site, the statue is thought to be 16th century. A horse fair has been held here since the Gallic period and is still in today to sell horses on what was the old border between the dukedoms. 

The Olivier V de Clisson and his wife Marguerite de Rohan 

The costs of Arms, Dukes of Rohan, Chabot, dukes of Laval and de Clisson

Josselin Castle  

Chateau Josselin, one of the castles of the Dukes of Rohan 

Chateau Josselin from the river

Scottish Archers unit 5

 Scottish Archers 

Another unit of Perry plastic archers for my Scots, next up I have heavy foot coming then some cavalry. 

Cheers

Matt

French HYW mounted crossbow

 French HYW Mounted Crossbow 

Additions to the Hundred Years War collection. The mounted crossbowmen were often in the free companies, but some are mentioned in the Manche arrie Ban for the battle of Formigny. The miniatures are from the Perry range, I have another base to complete of mounted archers then onto Scottish nobles and men at arms. 

Cheers

Matt

Scottish Archers unit 3

 Another archer unit off the desk, for this unit I have painted a Saint Andrew on the cross on the banner, not historical at this time (much later). 

Two more units to go, again perry miniatures 

Cheers

Matt

HYW Scottish Archers unit two

 I have finally commenced my Scottish Archers for the battles of Fresnay, Baugé and Verneuil. I have 30 to complete them before I start the MAA. 

Again from the Perry range of miniatures, I have painted them with the recorded badges of red field with yellow saint Andrew’s cross. I am planning a big anniversary game next year so

I had best get a wriggle on and complete some more foot. 

Scottish Archers

Cheers

Matt

Medieval Myth Busting Agincourt

 Agincourt, Medieval myth busting

Tobias Capwell bust some more myths about Agincourt, interesting discussion about stakes also! Set aside 30 odd minutes of good stuff!

cheers

Matt

100YW French Le Mans company

Next unit is a Archer company of crossbow and pavise men from the city of Le Mans, they fought at a number engagements in Maine and Anjou. Recorded at Baugé, La Brossinière, Fresnay, siege of Le Mans, Siege of Saint Suzanne, and Verneuil.

Figures are 28mm Perry Miniatures with hand painted Pavises and Banner.

Cheers

Matt