Ravenfeast is a product of Little Wars TV, copy-written in 2020, authorized for free non-commercial reproduction. FORCES: Historians know very little about this pivotal battle, except that it occurred in early January 871 near the Saxon village of Reading, along the eastern border of Wessex. We do not know the number of Saxons or Danes present for the battle, but armies in this era could be as small as a few thousand men. From Asser’s chronicle, The Life of King Alfred we do know the names of several famous historical personalities who fought (and died) in this climatic engagement. Orders of battle for both armies appear on the next page. SCALE: One “unit” in this scenario represents approximately 100 men. OBJECTIVES: Both sides must try to eliminate at least two-thirds of the opposing army. The first side to suffer over 66% losses immediately retreats and loses the scenario. HISTORICAL OUTCOME: The Danish army deployed on a ridge in two wings—one wing under the kings Bagsecg and Halfdan, and the other wing under the command of five lesser earls. The Saxon army attacked the ridge in a matching formation, with King Aethelred leading one wing and his younger brother Alfred commanding the other flank. The Saxon attack was disjointed but ultimately victorious. One Danish king (Bagsecg) and all five of the lesser earls were killed in the battle and the subsequent, bloody pursuit. In the months that followed, the Saxons would suffer a string of defeats in major battles, culminating in the death of King Aethelred I in April 871. He was succeeded by his brother, the future King Alfred “the Great.” The Battle of Ashdown SET UP: 2-4 players The Danish army deploys first, anywhere along the ridge running the length of the table. A dirt track—an east-west Saxon road—is behind their position. The Saxons deploy second. All woods and the small farm village are “rough ground.” There is no turn limit! Big Battle Ravenfeast
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Ravenfeast is a product of Little Wars TV, copy-written in 2020, authorized for free non-commercial reproduction.
FORCES: Historians know very little about this pivotal battle, except that it occurred in early January 871 near the Saxon village of Reading, along the eastern border of Wessex. We do not know the number of Saxons or Danes present for the battle, but armies in this era could be as small as a few thousand men. From Asser’s chronicle, The Life of King Alfred we do know the names of several famous historical personalities who fought (and died) in this climatic engagement. Orders of battle for both armies appear on the next page. SCALE: One “unit” in this scenario represents approximately 100 men. OBJECTIVES: Both sides must try to eliminate at least two-thirds of the opposing army. The first side to suffer over 66% losses immediately retreats and loses the scenario. HISTORICAL OUTCOME: The Danish army deployed on a ridge in two wings—one wing under the kings Bagsecg and Halfdan, and the other wing under the command of five lesser earls. The Saxon army attacked the ridge in a matching formation, with King Aethelred leading one wing and his younger brother Alfred commanding the other flank. The Saxon attack was disjointed but ultimately victorious. One Danish king (Bagsecg) and all five of the lesser earls were killed in the battle and the subsequent, bloody pursuit. In the months that followed, the Saxons would suffer a string of defeats in major battles, culminating in the death of King Aethelred I in April 871. He was succeeded by his brother, the future King Alfred “the Great.”
The Battle of Ashdown
SET UP: 2-4 players
The Danish army deploys first, anywhere along the ridge running the length of the table. A dirt track—an east-west Saxon road—is behind their position. The Saxons deploy second. All woods and the small farm village are “rough ground.” There is no turn limit!
Big Battle Ravenfeast
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LEFT WING, commanded by King Aethelred I (13 units / 391 points)
RIGHT WING, commanded by Lord Alfred (12 units / 246 points)
RIGHT WING, commanded by the Danish kings (14 units / 319 points)
LEFT WING, commanded by the Danish earls (14 units / 310 points)
WEST SAXON ARMY ORDER OF BATTLE
Name Units Move Missile Melee Armor Morale Pts Traits
King Aethelred x1 6” 0 5 5 5 75 Leader, Tough (3)
Mounted Spearman x2 14” 0 3 4 4 100 Mighty, Tough (2)
Hearthguard x2 6” 0 4 4 4 72 Tough (2)
Veteran Fyrd x6 6” 0 3 3 3 108
Bowman x2 6” 2 (18”) 2 2 2 36
Name Units Move Missile Melee Armor Morale Pts Traits
Lord Alfred x1 6” 0 4 4 5 54 Hero, Tough (2)
Hearthguard x2 6” 0 4 4 4 72 Tough (2)
Bowman x2 6” 2 (18”) 2 2 2 36
Fyrd x7 6” 0 2 2 2 84
The Great Heathen ARMY ORDER OF BATTLE
Name Units Move Missile Melee Armor Morale Pts Traits
King Bagsecg x1 6” 0 5 5 5 75 Leader, Tough (3)
King Halfdan x1 6” 0 4 4 4 46 Hero, Tough (2)
Huskarl x1 6” 0 4 4 4 36 Tough (2)
Berserker x1 6” 0 4 (x2) 3 4 30
Bondi Archer x2 6” 2 (18”) 3 3 3 36
Bondi x8 6” 0 2 2 2 96
Name Units Move Missile Melee Armor Morale Pts Traits
Earl Sidroc the Old x1 6” 0 4 4 4 46 Hero, Tough (2)
Huskarl x4 6” 0 4 4 4 144 Tough (2)
Bondi Archer x2 6” 0 3 3 3 36
Bondi x7 6” 2 (18”) 2 2 2 84
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