Delving into the English Civil War
Getting Started
The English Civil War is full of small campaigns fought at local level right across the country. I’m particularly interested in the background set in and around Derbyshire and Sheffield, though with some research most counties will throw up a local character who led forces either against or for the King.
Now I plan to follow the exploits of Sir John Brighte in Sheffield, and in Derbyshire I’ll following Sir John Gell, both of whom are parliamentary.
There was also a movement of disgruntled country folk across the counties called club-men. They banded together to protect their homes and land from both sides, as armies of both sides tended to forage off the land, taking whatever they saw fit. The club-men were often poorly armed, yet could number in their thousands. This also could form the back bone of a local campaign, with one player controlling an army of club-men.
This project is designed to act as a starting back ground source to a localized campaign. This type of campaign would be ideal for those just dipping their toes in to the world of English Civil War gaming, as well as being an excellent opportunity for a seasoned campaigner to research a local area for ECW war stories.
Great to see another ECW gamer. There’s a lot to like with the period. What I found was the high number of cavalry involved! All those horses. But also what’s interesting is the large number of smaller combats that lend themselves to an almost Skirmish approach to the period. I’ve gone for a “based up” option (I’m a solo player so can do my own thing!) with larger bases – 18cm wide for all units – and no figure removal. I have adapted some simplified rules as I will be playing with my 10 year old, although my more serious… Read more »
I used Pike and Shotte rules. Put on a demo at Beachhead2020 in Bournemouth. It was base on several raids by The Sydenham brothers . They attacked the royalist strongholds around Dorset and Hampshire. Was a great start before Covid19 kick in. Before that at Entoyment Poole we put on the 2nd Battle of Newbury. Nearly 3000 models all 28mm Warlords and Perry miniatures with other companies. A great period with all the colours of a Napoleonic game. But with the start of the Musket tactics (black powder).