A Wargamer in Cyprus: October 2024

History makes much of the Norman conquest of the South of Italy by the sons of Tancred d'Hautville. Less well known are the sons of Tancred de Faradólé, and their involvement on the Dalmatian coast during the same period...

I was always a fan of the setting for the TTG game Heroes, an Imagi-Nations RPG Set in a fictional version of 11th Century Europe it mainly has a focus on the city of Trieste and the lands and coast to the South and east. The setting involved half a dozen "nationalities" pitted against each other in a "miniaturization" of the continent.

Into this I'm going to place a Norman warband, and run them through Lion Rampant scenarios. If the Normans can win, or at least survive, they will gain reputation and reinforcements allowing them to build the warband and start conquering land.

The plan is to use Lion Rampant Second Edition, and paint up a few 20mm scale armies collected for this project.

The overlooked sons of Tancred de Farandole

Odo de Farandole second eldest of the sons of Tancred was thoroughly disliked by his brothers who named him "the priest." Knowing his father's land would go to the elder brother Odo set out for Italia to earn his fortune.

The first of the brothers to arrive in Triente, Odo has been recruited as a mercenary by the Doge. He has decided that the coastal cities are better suited to his ambitions than joining the d'Hautville brothers in Italy.

The map is an Imagi-Nations view of the area south of Trieste. I had the original map printed as 4 x A3 sections and will use pictures Odo gains Norman reinforcements as his reputation grows.

If he wins three battles for the Duke he is "given" a castle as a reward.

If he wins three further battles he is given a second holding.

Each point his reputation grows earns him an increase in his retinue, including character figures.

Guiscard Scenarios
Scenario 1: The evening of Civitate Scenario 2 : Stairway to Heaven
Scenario 3: Only the river left to cross!
Scenario 4: The sheep of the Catepan
Scenario 5: The pike forest Scenario 6: BBQ in Durazzo
Scenario 7: Looted while away hunting
Scenario 8: The pious Norman
Scenario 9: The Outpost
Scenario 10: Bohemond's booty
Scenario 11: Don't trust a dead Norman
Scenario 12: The favors of the emperor
Scenario 13: The Hornets' Nest
Scenario 14: Family affair

Additional Scenarios
Scenario 1: George Maniakes Expedition
Scenario 2: The Mercenaries Scenario 3: Enough with the Greeks
Scenario 4: Cerami
Scenario 5: Finishing the Job
Scenario 6: Salerno must fall table

The world of 1000 AS (After the Saviour)

On the Map

Triente. Communal City States

Magyary Hungary

Bulgari Bulgars

Translavonia The Balkans

Russland Russia,

Frankian Empire France/Germany/Italy

Tyrantian Empire The Byzantine Empire

Herzlavakia Czechoslovakia/Bohemia

Poldavia Poland

Off the map

Asgard The Viking Lands

Ispania Spain

Angonia England

Cyraan Wales/Scotland/ Ireland

Orentia The Arab Lands

Triente

The base city for the campaign Triente is to all intents and purposes independent. It hedges between the suzerainty of the Frankian and Tyrantian Emperors. The Doge, the Count the Bishop and the ten Justices wage war against the Translavonian King and his local Voivodes.

SCENARIO 1.1: AMBUSH!

The Doge has hired the Norman Mercenary band of Odo de Farandole, to support his cause, and sent him to escort a Church envoy, turns out its the Bishop himself, with a peace offer from the City fathers of Triente to the Translavonians. Isperich, the local Voivode, plans an ambush to capture the Churchman.

The map

Game one

The Game

The Bishop is escorted on table.

The Voivode's forces appear in Ambush.

The Normans swing out onto the right flank.

The Trientian Captain leads his skirmishing javelinmen through the woods.

The Captain routs both Slav bow groups in succession.

Good fight this one!

Odo and his Norman Milites charge. Its devastating.

The Voivode is killed, with five casualties on the Slav Cavalry.

And the Normans continue into the Slav Infantry. It's a second carve up. I'm using Goth 20mm foot for the Slavs here. They really look the part.

The Normans are Tumbling Dice with a few HaT plastics. I'm happy with them too.

And on the left the Trientian Captain charges again.

The Captain breaks the second Slav bow group. The game is won.

Last positions. The slingers actually did well to keep up with the Normans but with all of that running didn't get to shoot!

Lion Rampant Force Lists

Norman Warband

1 Elite Cavalry (Leader) @6 points

1 Heavy Cavalry @ 4 points

1 Light Cavalry with Javelins @ 3 points

1 Light Infantry with mixed weapons @ 5 points

1 Light Infantry with Javelins (@ 4 points

1 Foot Skirmishers @ 2 points

The Communal City States

The Popolo spear, Crossbowmen, Commune Heavy Cavalry, Mercenary Cavalry, Carroccio, Skirmishes foot.

The Empire

• 2 Mounted Companions * @ 12 points * If Swabians use dismounted knights with two handed swords or axes.

• 1 Lower Class Spearmen @ 3 points

• 1 Skirmishers @ 2 points

• 1 Ottonian character figure.

Magyary

Noble Cavalry, Light Cavalry, light spear foot, skirmishing foot

Bulgari

Noble Cavalry, Light Cavalry, Light spear foot, Skirmisher foot

Translavonia

Slavic - One Heavy Cavalry command unit, Light Infantry spearmen, Foot Skirmishers

Tyrantian Empire

Kataphractoi, Clibanari, Skutatoi, Trapezetoi, Archers, Psiloi.

Russland

Asgard river pirates

Herzlavakia

Milites, light horse , Foot Spear, Foot bow, Skirmishers

Poldavia

Noble Cavalry, Spearmen, Archers, Skirmishers

Orentian Pirates

Light Spearmen. Bowmen, skirmishers.

I'm up for a Nordic Weasel game, love the use of 6 and 1.

The scenario is take the bridge. Well I needed to build the bridge and some 2mm scale towns first!

Neu Schwanz, being erected.

And the fast flowing River Meise as 3rd battalion come onto the table.

And after I've painted it 24 hours later

Neu Schwanz, and I need to draw the windows in as well as colour the roofing tiles. Near the bridge we can see the village of Gröpe, and my first attempt at the Gröpe Bridge.