"Best Rules for Early Medieval Period" Topic

Although this is not my period (how many times have I said that!), I've just acquired, as part of a job lot, a few 15mm 10th-12th century armies (Byzantine, Viking, Teutonic Knights, Indian). They are lovely old school minifigs miniatures, many of which are beautifully painted 70s style and I'd like to use them. I have e no idea on the best rules for this period although I've done a quick search. If you have any suggestions please let me know.

Much thanks in advance, James

I would suggest Lion Rampant. You will probably have at least another half dozen suggestions. It really depends on how big of games you want to play and how the figures you have are mounted.

Big Battle DBA 3.0

or Hail Caesar.

Whichever floats your boat (so to speak).

Thanks. Heavy cavalry 20x30mm (2 per base), light cav 30x30 or on single bases. Foot seems to come in several varieties – close order, open order and single bases (5 per base).

We've been playing Impetus. You can try basic impetus for free (free rules and lists online) and then if you like it get the full rules set.

Roughly how many minis do you have in each army? That'll help you to narrow down the options. Also are you looking to rebase?

The Rules According to Ral.

If you fancy a free set take a look at Basic Impetus- new version has been produced apparently:

TMP link

I also really like Sword and Spear, can play with single DBA bases as a unit or make larger units (I use 4 DBA size bases, two up, two back) so very flexible. Available as a pdf download or printed copy:

link

I like mine: link

By the way James, I see you are in Gloucestershire. I belong to a club that meets in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, which may not be too far away for you (I travel from North Herefordshire and we have another member from Rugby) and we are running a couple of Ancients games, using Spear and Sword, on Sunday. There will also be another game running using either Hail Caesar or Field of Glory (can't remember which!) so if you want to see how these rule sets work, you would be very welcome. We meet 2:00p.m. till 7:00p.m. In the St Ambroses' Parish Centre on Leswell Street in Kidderminster

Thanks again!!

Steaming dave, I'm in West Glos, close to Hereford border so not far away at all – I'll try my best to come along!. Do you have a postcode so I can find it on my GPS?

BigRedBat I haven't counted the armies yet- roughly, I think the Byzantines are about 100 cavalry and 100 foot plus some ballista (if that's what you call them?). The Vikings are probably about 150 foot and a few horse. Teutons and Indians unpainted but lots of them.

I'll download Impetus and look at the others.

SAGA! You'll be glad you did.

Hi James, pulled this off our club Yahoo page:

Leswell Street, Kidderminster, DY10 1RP

This site has the best map I have found – click on Location – link

Here is a street view of the entrance you are looking for – link – this is as you come from the Birmingham/Wolverhampton/Town Centre way

We are the Wyre Forest Wargames Club. We meet third Sunday in the month. Here's a link to our website:

wfgamers.org.uk

Hope to see you Sunday (I'm the old bloke with grey beard and hair!)

Big red bat was too modest to suggest his rules. So I will. Check out "To the Strongest" Played a couple of test battles now and I am very impressed.

Hi Archeopteryx,

That's a goodly number, then, and very nice to find especially if they are the original Minifigs strip minis, which I recall from my teens. That many minis would suit a range of rules. I hear good things about Impetus and Sword and Spear and have played HC. DBA is a classic, too, and you'd have enough minis to play with extra large elements.

As one more alternative I have published a set of rules called "To the Strongest!" that are quick and entertaining and would work well with a couple hundred minis a side- there is a fair bit about them on my blog.

link

Feel free to drop me a line via the blog if you have any questions.

Best, Simon

For skirmish oriented games, I think Lion Rampant is worth a look. For element-based army games, DBA 3.0 is a great set.

Thank you all and especially those of you woh have sent your own rules! Fantabulous, Great war ace and BigRedBat. Steaming Dave – i'm looking for a club really, as have spent a lot of years overseas, although have looked in at a few locally but not found a 'home' yet. I'll come along and see you. Got the lot of £30.00 GBP on ebay, including a lovely old wooden carry case – so can't argue with that. Anyway probably get addicted by another period – already watching the Normans again on you tube. Oh dear.

If you like really big battles then Medieval Tactica is a very impressive game.

Does Medieval Tactica work well for 14th Century Europe? We're keen to find something that's simple to play and historically convincing for 1290s-1350s English and Scottish armies, both for major battles and for the more typical man-at-arms actions.

I believe the current edition of Day of Battle covers large engagements in the period you nominated, Mr Bloke (Ugly is perhaps a little too familiar at this point).

While there are many good rule sets out there, I would urge you to try the free ones first (it leaves your wallet free to buy more lead). Basic Impetvs is a free download as are it's Army Lists:

link

BUT . . . if you find an opponent or opponents who are close enough to you, then get and use whatever rules they are using . . . opponents are golden and unless you detest the rules they are using, play what they are playing.

Above all, have fun!

-- Jeff

Henry – I'll check it out. The name thing is n't too familiar; just facing up to reality.

I am part of a club in South Gloucestershire (Bristol Big Uns – we meet on a Sunday evening), so probably too far for you to travel, but there are a couple of groups in Gloucester although unsure of their meeting days.

We play War & Conquest (and a whole bunch of other games Sci Fi etc) theres circa 500 free online army lists to work with.
Details here link

Kind regards

Rob
scarabminiatures.com
warandconquest.co.uk

Hail Caesar are a good place to start if you like large, grinding battles and Rob's own rules, W&C, recreate a more heroic style. SAGA is great fun, but for much smaller forces.