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065.Aljubarrota_b_Port - Early Start - WDS Age of Longbow Volume I

065.Aljubarrota_b_Port - Early Start Image
Black Powder Ladder

065.Aljubarrota_b_Port - Early Start

By Rich White
Side_A (ALB1) 0 - 0 - 0 Side_B (ALB1)
Rating: 0 (0)
Games Played: 0
SM: 3
Turns: 32
Type: Stock
First Side: Side_A (ALB1)
Second Side: Side_B (ALB1)
Date: 14 August 1385 - Size: Medium - Location: Aljubarrota, Portugal

Scenario Briefing: Early Start - The death of the Portuguese king Fernando I in 1383 without a male heir led to a succession crisis. Juan I of Castile claimed the throne through his marriage to Fernando I's daughter Beatriz, but the Portuguese were hostile to a foreign ruler and preferred to support João, the illegitimate son of Pedro I and half-brother of Fernando I.

Juan assembled a large invasion force - including a contingent of allied French cavalry - to secure his wife's rights and the heavily outnumbered Portuguese, supported by a small force of allied English archers and perhaps a few hundred Anglo-Gascon men-at-arms, took up a strong defensive position near Aljubarrota. However, when the Castilian army arrived, instead of attacking across a river and uphill against a well-prepared position, Juan decided to outflank the Portuguese army. But, by the time the large Castilian army had crossed the river and deployed, it was 6pm and the Portuguese had been able to prepare a fresh, if not so strong, defensive position. With limited time until sunset, after his French allied cavalry rashly assaulted the well-prepared Portuguese position, Juan decided to reinforce the attack. A series of futile cavalry attacks, despite numerical superiority and support from the Castilian infantry, failed to dislodge the dismounted and entrenched enemy forces, who relied upon English tactical thinking to inflict heavy losses on their opponents.

This early start 32 turn scenario begins at midday as the Castilian army arrives on the battlefield and discovers the strong Portuguese position.

Recommended Rules: [Default]

Note: Side A = Castilians and French, Side B = Portuguese and English.

Best played Head-To-Head or as the Castilian / French Side against the A/I.