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Introduction
The Battle of Hastings was fought on the 16th October 1066 between William the Duke of Normandy and the Anglo-Saxon king Harold. The outcome of this battle would change the course of English history dramatically.
Because I live in Hastings, playing a wargame on this battle has always been a must. I have two different versions of wargames based on Hastings. One is from the Age of Chivalry Quad, published by 3W and designed by Rob Markham. The other is an S&T magazine game designed by Richard Berg.
I went for the 3W game mainly because I know the game system, which is an off-shoot of the Royalist and Roundheads system, so it meant I could get the game started in a very short time, without the need to read the rules through and without the inevitable page flicking the rule book whilst playing.
I wanted to do with this game was to see how accurate (depending on the sources) the map detail and army forces are. Yes, I have checked out resources online, which to be fair, is an easy way to find general information, but I also have a copy of A.H. Burne's The Battlefields of England, which is interesting as he writes very much with a military mind, and of course offers his own opinions with that mind set.
The map for this game conforms to most of the resources I have come across (and is extremely similar to A.H Burne's map). What minor differences I came across could really be subject to differences of opinions.
The forces involved is a problem, as there seems to be no concrete record, and some of the various sources I have seen vary greatly, but there does seem to be a general idea that both side had between 9-10 thousand men each.
About the game.
This battle has two game lengths - 16 turns for the Battle scenario and 19 turns for the Campaign scenario. The difference being is that the Battle scenarios has the counters starting within certain hexes on the map, and the campaign has no counters on the map, but there are entry hexes where the counters can start arriving. The latter gives the player a bit more control has to how and where to position his units, which is similar to Legion by Society of Ancients.
Graphics - 8/10
Components - 9/10
Gameplay - 10/10
Replayability - 9/10
Overall - 9/10
Comment
Maybe as I get older, I am starting to appreciate historic places more. I even visited a Roman Villa when I went to the Isle of Wight this year, which is surprising as it had no military history, but I am glad I went
Ahh, I've been to the Culloden battle site, also. There is a small museum, I visited there. I have several books on the Battle of Hastings and the Normans, etc. Been reading some Historical novels on Hereward the Wake recently.
I guess we are sorta similar in that I've never visited any battle sites over here. Thought about it, but never followed through.
Joseph, thank you for the comment.
I did forget when I wrote this that I also have the S&T issue "1066:The Year of Three Battles", which I would really like to get all three played from that issue.
Quite bizarrely, I have lived in Hastings for 13 years and only in the past couple of years have I had any interest in the battle. Not too sure why I have ignored it.
Similar situation when I used to live at Culloden/Inverness in the Highlands - the Battle of Culloden held no interest to me then.
The past two years I have developed a real interest in battles which took place in Britain, even the lesser known ones. I am reading a good book at the moment called the Battles of the Dark Ages, which is very very interesting
I've been to Hastings and Battle. I took the tour on Senlac Hill. For me, the Battle of Hastings was one of the top 5 battles of World History. I have this game but have not played it. Played other battles in the series. I've played the Richard Berg game you referred too. There are some other games on this battle: "Senlac Hill" by Norman Smith, S&T for May this year; "1066:The Year of Three Battles"(like the book), and A strategic campaign in another S&T out a year or so ago. Good review, will have to try my copy.
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