"Scenarios for ECW skirmishes?" Topic

All,
I'm running out of ideas for good skirmish games to use with my Bloody Miniatures ECW figures. Looking for games with no more than 24 figures per side, and preferably less.

Nick

Capture or burn a ship in the harbor?

Have you looked at Don Featherstone's Skirmish Wargaming, each chapter is a different scenario from a different period and there are rules as well. The scenarios can be translated to a different period fairly easily and there is an ECW one.

What rules will you be using?

Either Fistful of Lead or One Hour Skirmish will be the rules used.

You might try the Donnybrook rules from League of Augsburg. They are written for slightly later period but will work well for English Civil War skirmish games and the scenarios are spot on.

I don't know of any dedicated 'ECW' scenario books. All of the Forlorn Hope and Partizan scenario books are for bigger engagements. Same for the published FK&P scenarios.

I suppose you could adapt a few to skirmishes, the skirmish book mentioned above might be a lot less work though.

There are 2 scenarios in 'Once Upon A Time In The West Country'; which is still available (new) from Caliver Books, iirc about £5.00 GBPish. Rules are written for 1:1 skirmish, they might give you a spark of inspiration to adapt generic scenarios for your rules of choice.

Pete Berry penned another set of 'ECW' skirmish rules called File Leader, for slightly larger skirmishes. They took are still available, again iirc £5.00 GBPish. There are some entertaining 'incident events' which you could easily cannibalise for your preferred rules, adding some period flavoured silliness.

Another option is to visit a county council's local history online map collection and look for John Speed's maps – lots of geographical (and historical) inspiration

Did you ever come across this book?

link

I'm not really looking for rules, I'm set in that area. I just need a few scenarios.

At that scale you're looking at the typical scenario – scouting, escape across a board, capture or rescue of a prisoner, hold out until reinforcements arrive. I can't think of anything that would be ECW-specific, except possible setting a petard to blow a gate.

Probably true.

Look at converting some of the smaller Lord of the Rings scenarios; particularly those in The Scouring of the Shire.

… You could also look at the scenarios from the old board game Cry Havoc, most of which can be found on line. Google: Cry Havoc Fan.

Excellent link Dave Jackson, whomsoever wrote that gets my vote 😉

nnascati, wasn't suggesting alternative rules, just thought they might offer a little inspiration (plus they are really cheap).

Partizan do a sieges book which has lots of add on rules for sieges (they are not rules specific), so could be useful if you decide to go the siege (and petard) route.

You could always watch By The Sword Divided (most episodes on YouTube) for a few ideas. Quite a few raid type story lines.

Also look at bigger battles, often lots of small skirmishes took place before the main engagement, or the follow up incidents after battles. Lots of cavalry skirmishes before Lansdowne, dragoons tasked with holding a bridge before Cropredy. I challenge you to read that last sentence and not end up with the words "hold until relieved" bouncing around your head. The fight at Pudding
Bag End after Naseby (fleeing Royalists trying to escape, get cornered in and around the church yard).

Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. I have seen the available episodes of By the Sword Divided. A shame no more are available. I've tried to avoid it, but it looks like I need to buy cavalry!

I suggest you pick a Sharpe or Last kingdom novel . Those are full of small actions due to the hero focus. Those actions will probably translate well into most periods.
Good luck.

martin

I think that the Storming and massacre at Shelford House will make an ideal scenario for you. Despite living down the road in Bingham, I have only recently come across this piece of history. The pub, The Earl of Chesterfield, is also recommended!

link