special report from our Scottish correspondent

The Welsh prince, full of bravado, landed at Mann to relieve the besieged Irish populace at Castle Mann. The Scots, seeking retribution for a disastrous Irish invasion of the Strathclyde, had been laying siege for months now.

The Scots elected to attack the Welsh Prince as the tide was out, keeping the Irish army on their boats all day.

King Malcolm III and the Eachernthiergna (Horse Lords) rode from left to right across the front of the pagan enemy encouraging his clansmen and thegn warriors forward from their traditional place of honor on the right of the Scottish line.

A dispatch of Scottish light horse fell to the javelin ambush of the Welsh psiloi, but the ensuing highlander charge drove them to the safety of the hillsides leaving the mounted Prince of Wales to face them in a stand off.

As the Prince of Wales vacillated across the field from the ferocious clansmen, Malcolm III and his horsemen slammed into the ranks of the Welshmen.

Inserting themselves between the water and the Welsh left flank, Malcolm's horsemen and thegns rolled up the befuddled and helpless Welshmen. Ignoring their pitiful cries for mercy, the Christian Scots dispatched thousands of the pagans and the fields of Mann ran red with blood. [Here your editor will interject the observation that, of course, the Welsh are all good Christians too, intent on slaughtering their neighbours to the greater glory of God.] The Welsh prince fled the field, leaving the Gracious Bishop of Villanova de Popecki to negotiate safe conduct for the Welsh camp followers and store of rarebit.

The main Scottish shield wall, watched the battle while eating cheese and drinking wine (again?).

Viewing this from the Castle of Mann, the besieged Irish, out of children to consume, surrendered to the gracious King Malcolm III, whose thegns shared their ales and venison with the wraiths who were once a thriving populace.

Let all take notice, it was the Irish who landed upon the coast of Scotland only a few months before. The gracious King Malcolm III welcomes the crowns of Wales and Ireland to call Him overlord and live full and pleasant lives free from the scourge of conflict and fried Mars bars.

Malcolm III
Rex and Nice Guy

the end of autumn 1002

We fought out the Battle of Mann last night between Wales and Scotland. I will defer to one of the combatants to provide a full report, but the outcome was a 4-1 win for the Scots who (after the Irish have their turn, in which they can do effectively nothing because they sent a contingent to the Mann battle) proceeded to complete their year-long subjugation of Mann by finally reducing its inhabitants to obedience.

I will provide an updated map over the weekend (and update the army lists and prestige totals). The Normans, the Welsh, and the Scots will be able to refill their armies from their reserves over the winter, but the Vikings (who can recruit only 3 elements), the English (who can recruit 3 but still need to lose 2 after a previous defeat), and the Norse Irish (who can recruit only 2 elements) will have some tough choices.

Also, could the Norse Irish please clarify their current status: have they voluntarily submitted to vassalship, and if so to whom? I have heard rumours, but I have seen no formal declaration by the Irish themselves.

mid-autumn, 1002

The leaves are falling in the singing vallies as the initiative falls to the men of Wales. What direction with they march before the snows of winter begin?

early autumn, 1002

Here's a new map, showing the results of the latest battle.

The Danes passed, the Normans attacked, so that brings us to the English turn.

Oh, and the Normans got 5 PP for the last battle (goal differential + 2 PP for a leader). Plus VPs for York (which the Danes lose). The losses were the sole Norman LH v. 1 Danish Bd and 3 Sp, yes?

The Danes are quiet...

...too quiet...

Denmark passes. Normandy? Your go.

Autumn 1002

This brings us to the beginning of the third campaign turn, Autumn 1002. Danes? You are up!

oh, Mann!

The Scots continue to wreak havoc on the Isle of Man. But their brutal "shock and awe" tactics seem to leave the Manx unimpressed. Another element of Scots goes to the great Reserve in the sky while Mann remains resolutely Irish.

late summer, 1002

The Irish desperately tried to fight off the fierce attack of the Welsh. They slew many warriors (the Welsh lose 2 Wb and 1 Ps). But the Welsh hacked and slashed their way through the ranks of the Gaels, slaying their general and many kern (Irish lose AxG, 2 Ax, 1 Ps). Many of the Irish broke and ran (Irish lose Bd, Ps as additional casualties). Wales acquires 3pp, one for the element loss differential and two for slaying the Irish general.

The Welsh proceeded to lay waste to Dublin, replacing all the churches with chapels, all the pubs with union halls, and all the potato fields with sheep pastures. Strong, stern men were seen in every quarter, alarming the populace with their ferocious, close-harmony singing and their profusion of consonant-like vowels.

Only waiting for the Scots to finish the turn.

midsummer, 1002

a sticky end for a Danish (king)

The Normans moved by sea to the cliff-filled coast of Norway, where they laid claim to the fertile fields of Trondelag. The army of Denmark rushed back from York to contest the conquest, but the King of Denmark was slain early in the battle. Read a Norman account of their victory here.

Norway becomes Norman. The Vikings lose a Bd (and two Sp in the retreat).

England's turn!

the end of the beginning

The Irish invasion of Scotland met a rather bloody conclusion, as the Scots detached a small portion of their army to surround and attack the Irish, as the bulk of their spearmen stood on a nearby hill, snacked on cheese and pickle sandwiches, and watched the battle.

Four Irish bands were slain [will fill in which elements from my notes later], while only one band of Scottish skirmishers were slain. The Irish retreated precipitately, falling back to the Isle of Man. The Scots, given the opportunity to pursue their defeated enemy, leapt into their birlinns and coracles and followed. (Neither the initial Irish invasion nor the Scots counter-invasion lost any elements to the windy waves of the Irish Sea or to Corryvreckan--Cailleach Bheur was apparently sleeping.) But the Irish, loathe to fight further until they had repainted their shields and polished the brass hilts of their swords, moved back to Armagh. The Manx were, it appears, annoyed but not dismayed by the departure of their overlords and gave the arriving Scots a broad two fingers. (The Scots lose an element for a failed "siege".)

Thus arrived summer 1002. The Vikings made a few exploratory raids from their stronghold at York. They seem to have sent scouts, mounted on local horses, in several directions, checking the roads to the north and west. But in the end, they stayed in place, calculating many options but making no movements.

All wait now to see what move the Norman army makes, if any, from its base in Fecamp.

more warfare in the north!

While the Welsh watch their sheep (or their neighbours') peacefully grazing, the Irish sail off around (their) sea, stopping at various congenial watering holes for a bit of a sunbathe. Arriving on the coast of 'Cumbria' (taken rather broadly--I imagine to have a quickie marriage at Gretna Green or to do some shopping at The Lanes in Carlisle), they decide they like it and begin debating whether to call it a "holiday home" or "the first step in the great Irish Empire".

Interestingly enough, the King of Scotland happens to be in the area, on a holiday of his own with a few thousand close friends and retainers. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to the Irish dilemma.

more death in the north

The attempt of the English to dislodge the Danes from York met with a significant reverse. Though the English fought more doughtily than in the first encounter, the result was much the same. Three more elements of fyrd were wiped out and this time the English camp was sacked!

Danes gain 4PP; English lose an additional two elements due to the loss of their camp.

It is now the turn of the Welsh.

quick map update

Showing the change of control (temporary?) of York, Normans sitting in Fecamp counting their danegeld, and the English cruising up the Great North Road for a rematch.

ravens wheel over the moors

The armies of England and Denmark met in bloody battle! Your correspondent was not able to get copious detail on the battle (he was busy losing, badly, an off-script Breton invasion of Normandy), but he observed two dense battle lines rushing straight toward each other with a huge gap subsequently forming in the center of the English army as the Vikings under Sweyn carved their way deep into the Saxon ranks. Victory for the Danes, 0-4 (all Sp). The English withdrew to London. The Vikings gain 4PP for the battle and now hold York.

Not to be outdone, the Normans (cousins by blood to the Danes) announced their intention of invading England while English were down and bleeding on the canvas. England mollified them with huge chests of silver coin, so the Norman army stays in place and cannot attack English territory for the remainder of 1002. (Frank: I know I said last night that you would complete the move and remain in Winchester, but looking at the danegeld rule, it's supposed to take place before actual movement, so I think the Normans will remain in their starting location, Fecamp). England transfers 1 PP of monies to Normandy.

After Denmark and Normandy, England gets the next move. Aethelred, what will you?

(BTW, the turn order is clockwise; this year it began in the north, so it's Danes, Normans, English, Welsh, Irish, Scots. Next year it will begin with a random player but progress in the same order from that start.)

the first attack!

And the Danish fleet, which wintered among the Trondelager in Norway, sails for England, landing near York!

"From the fury of the Norsemen, o Lord..."

...will Aethelred's treasury deliver York?

Or the stout hearts and study shields of the fyrd?

(The English army has started at London, but can march north and defend York if the king orders them to.)

Ready, steady, go!

The Danes (aka the Vikings) led by Svein Forkbeard, King of Denmark, are the first player in 1002.