Fighting Next Week - Nantwich (again)

Next week it is my turn to host a wargame with what has now become the usual crew, and very nice too. For a little change of context, this time I'm staging the Battle of Nantwich (January 1644), which I fought once before - more than 6 years ago, I'm astounded to learn. Since then my tabletop has been repainted with the hexes the "correct" way round, so the battlefield has been re-engineered a bit.

The battle is interesting; like a good many of the smaller, regional actions from the First ECW, it is not just a straight Grand Bash in open countryside, everyone lined up in their best togs with the cavalry on the flanks and all that - it is more of an encounter, albeit an encounter on well-worn ground, as part of a campaign. I'll post some more notes before the game (probably).

This is what my Battle of Nantwich looks like before the soldiers arrive.

General view of the battlefield from the South East, with the town of Nantwich in the foreground. The place is important by this date in the ECW because it is the last town in Cheshire held by Parliament, and it has an important bridge over the River Weaver. The river is unfordable, particularly this January of 1644, when there has been a sudden thaw of snow.

Close up of part of the town - across the bridge is the suburb of Welsh Row. In the interests of scenic accuracy, I may add some humble earthworks to the town's defences. The river is really a no-go area - effectively off the table. In the distance you can see Dorfold Hall, the home (if it matters) of Sir Roger Wilbraham and his family.

And here you are - Dorfold Hall. In the right background you can see Acton Church, which was the centre of the real battle of Nantwich.

The Church of St Mary, Acton - still standing today. Traditional thematic joke: note that Wellington's Tree appears here, visible behind the church tower - presumably this is Byron's Tree for the day.

Ah - now here's a problem - downstream of Nantwich, the next useful bridge is usually Beam Bridge, but the Nantwich garrison have demolished it, and a temporary bridge constructed by the Royalists has been wrecked in the flood caused by the thaw. This means that Lord John Byron, who has been half-heartedly besieging the town for a few weeks, has troops on both sides of the River Weaver, but no handy way of joining them together. [Historical spoiler alert] 

General view from the South-West - the relieving Parliamentary force, Tom Fairfax at the head, will arrive along the road from Chester and Delamere, which is at the left edge of the photo. There are a few enclosures, which are mostly a problem for Horse. The church is in the centre of the picture - beyond it is the farm at Henhull, with the thatched roofs; on the right is Dorfold Hall, with Nantwich in the far right corner.

***** Late Edit *****

Earthworks - I've been reading a few extra bits and pieces, and - despite protests from the Tourist Board - have now added some earthworks and a couple of "sconces" to the Welsh Row (western) section of Nantwich. The town had been under attack off and on for a year or so, and the governor, George Booth, had enthusiastically instigated a lot of work to strengthen the place. Here you see my attempt to fortify Welsh Row - viewed from inside and out, obviously with the help of a drone.

They would have heavy chains across the road-ends. The earth banks are by Fat Frank, can't remember where I got the gun emplacements. If you have exceptional eyesight you will see the town pillory on the edge of the suburb. I stopped short of flowerbeds, though it was a near thing.

There is more to be done. Tom Fairfax records that his forces came under fire from Royalist guns in "works" to the north of Acton Church, so I may have another look at that tomorrow.

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