A Coat of Steel

On January 23, 2017, our monthly Craft Day was devoted to a Wars of the Roses wargame using the rules of The Perfect Captain: "A Coat of Steel". This is now the 3rd game we have played, the first 2 really being training sessions. I have been working to increase the size of both Yorkist and Lancastrian retinues using Perry 28mm figures and most recently, the excellent figures sold under the Crusader brand. The figures were painted by Leuthen Studios and Carl Robson with some by myself. The numerous flags are mostly by CitadelSix.

Jeff and I took the Yorkist cause and Will and Steve the Lancastrian. The photos are either by myself or, where noted by Steve. His own Blog can be found at:

http://veteransergeant.wordpress.com

This game was designed to maximise our experience of A Coat of Steel. I had fabricated some time ago all of the cards, counters and other parts and sleeved them where possible. 

Each side formed the maximum of four Wards each. The Companies within each Ward were composed according to the rules. The rules were studied in advance under the guidance of Jeff who sent out various links and study hints during the days leading up to the game. 

Although set-up is quite time consuming, once battle is joined the game moves quickly. In this game a bold Yorkist attack with the vaward and mainward on the opposing Lancastrian vaward and rearward looked promising. The first Lancastrian arrow-storm of light flight-arrows fell short in the centre. The Yorkist mainward under Warwick closed quickly on the forces of Northumberland and Somerset. Unfortunately the early death of Warwick caused Army morale ("the Cause") to decline and the Yorkists took higher losses in the melee.

The Set-Up

Yorkists

Lancastrians

Drawing Chits to Determine Ward Activation

Battle Joined Between Warwick and Exeter (photo by Steve)

Henry Percy Holds the Right Center (photo by Steve)

Clifford (viewer right) Attacks a Weak Yorkist Vaward Under Fauconberg (viewer left)
(photo by Steve)

Lancastrian Vaward Under Pressure. Jeff's Archery Taking a Heavy Toll
(photo by Steve) 

Lancastrian Counter Attack (photo by Steve)

Lancastrian Archers (photo by Steve)

Percy Supported by French Mercenaries (photo by Steve)

Salisbury Brings up the Reserve Ward (photo by Steve)

The Yorkist Right Collapses (photo by Steve)

At close of play, a Lancastrian victory was declared. Henry VI looked on from a distance and mumbled his thanks for the good outcome.

Henry VI Looks on. Brocaded Coat of Royal Standard Bearer by Carl Robson
(photo by Steve)

A Coat of Steel is an unusual but excellent game system designed specifically for the Wars of the Roses and we recommend it highly.

A Coat of Steel: Our First Game

On June 9th, 2016, Will and I played our first full Wars of the Roses miniatures wargame using The Perfect Captain's rules: A Coat of Steel. Will fielded his excellent Lancastrian army painted by the very talented Martin Robson for his private collection. Will augmented his force (reluctantly) with a few units provided by myself. My own army of Yorkists was painted by a variety of artists, depending on the "faction".  The majority are painted by Leuthen Studios, Carl Robson and myself, the latter with a lot of help from Jeff Lower. The flags are by CitadelSix. The 28mm miniatures are all by Perry, both plastic and metal.

Will and I have been building our armies for several years. I fabricated all of the character cards and other "props" provided on line by The Perfect Captain. I cannot recommend The Captain (whoever he is/they are) highly enough. The artwork and the rules are outstanding. They produced a very colourful  game which really felt like late medieval English warfare.

We played one practice skirmish to learn the rules. The game was technically a Yorkist victory. However, I consider this another learning game. In particular, we did not get quite right the Company and Ward composition. The Wards should have had more, smaller Companies. We did not really need to have all four Wards for both sides. The forces were not evenly matched and my superior firepower from Retinue archers skewed the final result. However, it was a fun and instructive game.

Here are a few photos taken during various stages of the battle. Jeff decided to spend his time on this Craft Day painting some miniatures but opined that it was a good game! 

Fire & Maneuver: ACW Confederate Cavalry

My latest unit for Fire & Maneuver is a regiment of Confederate cavalry. This fine unit uses 28mm metal figures by Redoubt Enterprises and was painted mostly by Frank Patterson. I painted some of the horses and handled the basing.

Redoubt makes some very nice figures for the American Civil War. It is an extensive range with many unusual pieces, lots of excellent animation and variety with head and arm swaps. Their service is excellent. The flag is by GMB Designs.


I asked Frank to paint this as a "smart" mid-War regiment when CSA regulation uniforms were more available. They are armed with a variety of pistols, shotguns, rifles and carbines. I think they will serve well.

Fire & Maneuver: ACW Union Troops

With the help of Frank Patterson, I have made good progress building a new wargames army. This is an ACW Union "force" using mostly Redoubt Miniatures 28mm metals with a few Perry pieces. Unlike most of my collection that sits in cabinets and seldom sees the miniature battlefield, this new army was made with gaming in mind. 

I have used durable metal bases per Fire & Maneuver basing conventions.  In the past I have always used Litko wooden bases. I did most of the basing and helped paint some of the ordnance and horses. However Frank gets full credit for painting most of the figures and showing me how to paint to a good wargames standard. The flags are by GMB Designs.

We have one more infantry brigade to complete and a few wagons. The Redoubt figures are very nice, loaded with character and fun to paint.

Graham's First Brigade, Birney's First Division, III Corps, 1863

The following figures of Graham's Brigade were also part of Martin Robson's private collection which I was fortunate to acquire in 2014. The 114th, as noted, was added later with figures painted for me by Leuthen Studios. All figures are by Perry.

Brigadier General Charles Kinnaird Graham

57th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment

The 57th was commanded by Colonel Peter Sides who was wounded on July 2nd. Captain Alanson H. Nelson took over command. The 57th had 207 effectives at Gettysburg, losing 11 killed, 46 wounded and 58 reported as missing.

63rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment

The 63rd was commanded by Colonel John A. Danks. The Regiment fielded 296 men at Gettysburg. The 63rd was engaged in fighting north of the Peach Orchard on July 2nd. In this fighting, 1 man was killed, 29 men were wounded and 4 men were reported missing. 

68th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment "Scott Legion"

The 68th was commanded by Colonel Andrew H. Tippin. During the fighting, the Colonel took command of the First Brigade, at which time Captain Milton S. Davis took over the regiment. The 68th had 383 effectives at Gettysburg of whom 3 officers and 10 men were killed, 5 officers and 117 men were wounded and 13 men were reported captured or missing.

105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment

The 105th was commanded by Colonel Calvin A. Craig. The Colonel was wounded on July 2nd. The 105th fielded 17 officers 257 men at Gettysburg. 2 officers and 18 men were killed or died of wounds, 13 officers and 95 men were wounded and 9 men were reported as missing. Total losses were 132.

114th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment "Collis' Zouaves"

The 114th was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Frederick F. Cavada. The Colonel was captured during the fighting on July 2nd. after which Captain Edward R. Bowen took command. The 114th had 312 effectives at Gettysburg of whom 9 were killed, 86 wounded and 60 reported missing.

This Regiment was painted for me by Leuthen Studios. The figures are Perry 28mm metal Zouaves.