Battle Between Mercenary Companies

In this battle, the Gold Company is hired by one Italian city-state and the White Company is hired by another.  Each company has four units: one mounted knight, one archer, and two foot knights.  Each unit (represented by one figure) contains ten soldiers.

One Hour Wargames rules were used - medieval version.  Each unit can absorb only 15 hits. Archers and infantry units can only move six inches each round.  Cavalry can move 12 inches.  Archers can shoot 12 inches but cannot shoot over the heads of the men-at-arms. Cavalry have +2 hits in their attacks but no armor protection.  Men-at-arms have armor protection. Archers get +2 with shooting but in hand-to-hand they are  -2 hits.  They have no armor.

One d6 is used.  Each army has a deck of chance event cards. The objective is to destroy the enemy.  I played the White Company. 

Picture 1.  The opposing armies.

Initial deployment was random.  See picture 2.  The gold units were concentrated on the west side, with the archer in the center at the back.  The white company was in the west and center with one infantry unit in the southeast.

Picture 2.  Initial Deployment

At the outset, the forces gravitated toward the west side north of the church.  The white infantry held back, waiting for the rest of the White Company to get closer.  The white archer unit stayed under cover so that the enemy archers could not get a shot.  However, the white archers had line of site on the gold infantry.  Finally, the white cavalry unit could not resist charging.  After a few rounds, both armies had lost their mounted knights. See picture 3.

Picture 3.  Midgame.

White Company now appears to be in a good position but it has taken several hits and the men-at-arms are open to flank attacks.  The battle goes against them quickly.  See picture 4.  The white archer wisely chooses to exit the field at this point.

Picture 4.  Endgame.

This battle went seven rounds and lasted 14 minutes.  The reader may wonder how I managed to lose an equal battle.  Was it the initial deployment?  Unfortunately, I must confess that this was my second attempt.  In the first battle, the initial deployment was more central and the action revolved around the trees in the center of the field.  The White Company lost in six rounds, 13 minutes. 

There must be a lesson in this for me. What might it be?  Don't attack with cavalry.  They need to hold back until they can mount a devastating flank attack.