A Battle of Sicilian Vespers

It was cool day for August in Sicily in 1265.  I had accompanied Louis IX to chronicle the events of his crusade against the Hohenstaufen kingdom that Pope Clement IV called to vanquish them.  The field had been chosen as a meeting place for both armies the day before.

  A large field spread across the open ground with hedges on either end.  Trees sparsely dotted the landscape and no roads entered the area.  Another smaller field blocked off the north east.  Louis arranged his well trained army with the bravest knights in the middle, flanked by the peasant rabble that answered the call of the crusade on the western edge of the field.  The Hohenstaufen forces arranged themselves in the poorest possible manner as they lacked all sense of military planning and tact.

The Hohenstaufen army proved their lack of military expertise by moving first across the field.  Their knights breaking free from their kings control and impetuously galloped into our awaiting forces.

King Louis IX held his army firm with strict orders to take advantage of the enemies weaknesses.  The mad dash of the enemy provided the impetus for King Louis to let loose his knights.

Our knights fought bravely suffering in the first few rounds but soon had the poor Hohenstaufen knights on the run.  Soon the center was collapsing and our brave knights ready to crush the remaining forces.

The inferior king called a general retreat with his armies morale broken and King Louis IX allowed his army to pillage the surrounding country side in lieu of payment.  The sun shone brightly on this most holy crusade.

This battle used 10mm figures and Piquet's Band of Brothers.