The Bishop of Mainz and the Duke of Swabia defeat the forces of the Eastern Markgraf around 943

There was uprising and revolt in the east of the realm of the regnum teutonicorum, some recently christianised upstart of a Marchbaron(played by Bart) trying to enter the lands of the Franconians. So the Bishop of Mainz (me) with his Infantry was supported and led by the Duke of Swabia (Peter) with all his veteran milites, to beat the shit out of the ursurper and drive him back to the dark lands where he came from with the help of our 28mm figures and the notorious Hail Caesar rules. We all had one CinC and 3 sub-commander and 9 units. The Holy Roman Empire had the upper hand on milites and Bart the evil Baron, had more crossbowmen, but we allowed him this truly unfair advantage -  therefore in turn, we just came up with no plan at all and just attacked!

Initially Bart deployed partially behind a River (more a rivulet - an 3" obstacle), and we gained the 1st turn. Peters Cavalry swayed and met Barts milites half way in an epic clash of chainmail and breaking lances! While I marched forward for Christi and shot some of the Eastern Ex-Saxonians.

Then Bart counter-attacked and it developed into the usual bloody mess of Norman style metal havoc. Barts crossbow men traversed the rivulet, but he kept his main heavy infantry on the other side of the water. Usually the ones who keeps calm and some reserves wins these medieval massacres, but not this time. I attacked and stood fast against Barts counterattack, meanwhile Peter managed to emerge victorious out of this messy flank bloodbath. 

That was when the dastardly evil Baron Bart accused Peter of cheating! Technically they both got carried away and Peter lost one round of casualties on one unit, but that didn't broke the mould and as Peter was new to the rules, we decided to excommunicate Bart and sent him back into the Lausitz - I cannot think of a more severe punishment!

This Battle report is the only truth because the Holy Spirit told me so!!

It was all in all an very enjoyable game - the winning against Bart was just a bonus. 

His review will probably be biased differently, but hey, that are the pitfalls of true mediaevistic!

The Mainzer contingent

The initial deployment 

The forces of evil 

The defender of christendom are advancing

Help on horses from Swabia

The eastern hordes counter attack!

Barts men crossing the river

Prayers and good arrows ...

... will help against the threat! 

The Swabian and Saxonians are clashing! 

A little help of Carinthians (??)

Hold the line with prayers

The bloody mess after the cavalry bash

The Ottonians are attacking again!

Pushing the Crossbows back over the river

The Duke of Swabia is sweeping up the flank 

More blood, chainmail, swords and horses ...

Meanwhile havoc in the centre

... slowly the holy forces of good are prevailing ...

with the help of the true cross of I.K.E.A.

Na, OK, our milites were quite a wreck as well ...

Our expert in these matters also agreed it was a clear win!