Wargaming Montrose's Campaign (1644-45)

Montrose’s 1644-45 campaign offers plenty of scope for the war-gamer. The numbers in the forces involved are fairly small, the battles varied in scope and the possibilities for linking into a campaign straightforward. The following text offers suggestions into one our approach but these should be considered as an introductory guide. 

Each battle had a distinct character which offer challenges to both players. Often the games may appear uneven in terms of troop numbers, quality or type. The arrival (or lack thereof) of reinforcements will allow scope for uncertainty. Terrain additionally, often played a critical role in the outcome. All of these elements give some very challenging scenarios that can be played separately as one-off battles using historical orders-of-battle.

Playing a Linked Campaign

Another way to make the battles more challenging is to play a linked campaign. Here the Royalist player is forced to manage his limited forces and work with sporadic and often unreliable reinforcements. The Covenanter player, on the other hand, gets to fight many of the battles with fresh forces, but their quality will be controlled by what the government had available within the theatre.

Our recommendation is to play with the historical order of battles, scaled at approximately 1:10. This gives robust unit sizes in accordance with the unit sizes outlined in the Pike and Shotte ruleset.

ADD ORDER OF BATTLE

Montrose’s Army on Campaign

In a linked campaign the Royalist player will start with Montrose’s army at Tippermuir (we recommend using the OOBs published by Stuart Reid in the Osprey Campaign book entitled “Auldearn 1645 – The Marquis of Montrose’s Scottish Campaign”). As the campaign progresses, the Royalists will suffer losses through battlefield casualties, sickness and desertion, but will also gain recruits following victories. To account for attrition within the royalist army, we suggest the following mechanisms should be employed.

Royalist Irish Brigade Attrition

Montrose’s Irish Brigade was extremely resilient and was repeatedly re-marshalled to fight again, despite suffering all manner of hardship and deprivation. At the end of every battle any Irish unit broken and destroyed is reduced in size for the next game. For example, a large Irish foot regiment broken in combat becomes a standard Irish foot regiment in the next game. However, rather than field progressively smaller units, the royalist player can reconstitute his battalions by amalgamating regiments (a standard and a small unit can be combined to form a large unit). That said, the lack of reinforcements combined with casualties (through action, disease and desertion) meant that the Irish could never be fully replaced and as such the number of available units should decrease as the campaign progresses (three pre-January 1645, two pre-September 1645 and one for Philiphaugh).

Scots Royalist Attrition
For every other non-Irish unit in the Royalist army role a D6 at the end of each game and consult the following table. If a unit was broken in the previous battle, then role a D3 and consult the table.

1-2   The unit deserts en masse, the unit disbands and all men return to their homes. 

        The unit will not be present at the next battle.

3-4   The unit suffers from desertion and attrition and is much reduced in size by the 

        next battle. The unit is reduced in size for the next battle. If the unit was already 

        Tiny in the previous battle, then the unit is considered destroyed and will not be 

        present in the next battle.

5-6   The unit is resilient and will take the field in the next battle at the same size.

Royalist Recruits

At the end of every battle the Royalist army can attempt to recruit new units for the next battle. This represents the tireless efforts of Montrose, MacColla and other prominent Royalist nobles to gather Royalist sympathizers and their armed forces to the King’s cause. 

The royalist player must first roll a D3 to determine how many units are recruited. For each unit recruited, roll a D6 and consult the following table to determine what type of unit is recruited:-

1-2   Highland clansmen
3-4   Scots Regular Infantry
5      Scots Cavalry/Dragoons
6      Gordon cavalry

Apply the following modifiers to the above roll:-

After Tippermuir: -3 to dice roll

After Justice Mills: -2 to dice roll
After Fyvie: -3 to dice roll
After Inverlochy: +2 to dice roll
After Auldearn: no modifier
After Alford: -2 to dice roll
After Kilsyth: +2 to dice roll (re-roll modified result of 6 or more)

To determine size of each newly recruited unit, roll a D6 and consult the following table:-

1      Tiny
2-3   Small
4-5   Standard
6      Large

Note: Scots and Gordon infantry were conventional armed with pike and shot. To determine the make up of conventional infantry regiments roll twice on this table. The first roll will determine the size of the pike block and the second roll the size of the two shot sleeves.

The Government Armies

The Covenanters controlled the government and the established military forces as well as the regional conscription process. As such they were able to field what was effectively a new army for each battle. Covenanter armies will therefore begin each battle with a fresh new army using the published historical order of battle. 

We recommend using the OOBs published by Stuart Reid in the Osprey Campaign book entitled “Auldearn 1645 – The Marquis of Montrose’s Scottish Campaign”.

The Battles

There were 8 major battles fought during the short campaign:

• Tippermuir (September 1st 1644) 
• Justice Mills (September 13th 1644) 
• Fyvie (October 28th 1644) 
• Inverlochy (February 2nd 1645) 
• Auldearn (May 9th 1645) 
• Alford (July 2nd 1645) 
• Kilsyth (August 15th 1645) 
• Philiphaugh (September 13th 1645) 

What follows are some suggestions on how to refight these battles with some of the historical flavor.

The Battle of Tippermuir

Background

On the morning of September 1st, as the royalists approached Perth, they found a Government army, led by Lord Elcho, deployed and waiting. 

Scenario

Tippermuir can be re-fought as a modified Meeting Engagement on open terrain. 

Opposing Forces

The armies are as described in the historical OOB for Tippermuir. For the linked campaign, this is the only battle where the Royalist will use the historical OOB. In all future battles in the campaign the royalist players forces will depend on the outcome of the previous battles and the successful of recruitment.

Deployment

The Covenanters deploy first. The Royalist army deploys second. 

Objectives

The Royalist objective for both sides is to hold the field at the end of the battle.

Other Special Rules 

The Covenanter army had some artillery, which was captured during the battle and turned on them by Royalists. Defeated or captured artillery can be re-used by the new owners (for this battle only). Highland clansmen start the battle with no muskets and improvised weapons. If they break any Covenanter regiment they gain their equipment.











The Battle of Justice Mills


With the Royalists still on the offensive at this stage, a modest Government army led by Lord Balfour of Burleigh blocks the Royalist advance on Aberdeen at Justice Mills on the outskirts of Aberdeen. Again, this battle can be re-fought as a pitched battle with the Covenanter army deploying first, and the politely providing the royalists time to deploy into battle line. The Covenanter army may place a single forlorn hope unit in the justice mills complex during deployment.









The Covenanters are in a strong position along the crest of a steep embankment (the Justice Mills Brae) which should be classed as Rough Terrain (for Pike & Shotte).






OBJECTIVE: The objective of the covenanters is to hold the Royalists for 8 game turns and have 50% of the Covenanter army unbroken by the end of the turn eight. The royalist objective is to clear the field and completely rout/destroy the Covenanter army.






Revenge


There are accounts of the Irish being enraged by the murder of an Irish drummer boy during a pre-battle attempt to parley with the Covenanters. The furious Irish subsequently fight like fiends offering no quarter to the defeated Covenanters and brutally sacking the town of Aberdeen (to the great detriment of the Royalist cause). To represent this incident, the Irish can be given the Eager and/or Ferocious Charge rules for this battle only. However, if the Royalist player chooses to utilize this option, an additional -1 must be applied when rolling for recruits in the next battle (as the sacking of Aberdeen unsettles the local lairds).













The Battle of Fyvie


With a third and much larger Covenanter army, led by Argyll, pursuing the Royalists following the sack of Aberdeen, Montrose retreated northwest towards the highlands. However, they are caught while encamped at Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire. With MacColla heading west to recruit amongst the clans, and the Gordon’s failing to turn out in strength, the Royalist army is weakened and in a desperate situation. In this battle the Royalists use the enclosed, hilly terrain and woods at the back of Fyvie Castle as a strong defensive position, and are able to hold off the Covenanters for three days of skirmishing before retreating during the night into the Highlands.






This battle could be fought as a series of three mini-battles of 5 turns. The Royalists are well dug-in in defensive positions, with a stronger Covenanter force repeatedly attempting to attack and displace the rebels.






OBJECTIVE: The objective of the Covenanters is to rout/destroy the Royalist army over the course of the three skirmishes and to capture Montrose and the Royal Standard. The objective of the Royalist army is to hold on and minimize losses until the end of the 3 skirmishes.






Hold until nightfall


Terrain will limit the size of force Argyll can commit, but to further represent Argyll’s non-committal tactics, this game may be fought as a series of three large skirmishes, with the breaks representing night-fall. For each new skirmish, both forces begin fresh without disorder, shaken or casualty markers, although destroyed units will stay destroyed.






Deserters


The Royalists have an additional problem with desertion and must roll a D6 for each non-Irish unit in the army, and on a 1 or 2, those units have deserted during the night. If any of the units in the Royalist army are Gordon units, there is a -1 to the roll.






The Battle of Inverlochy


At Inverlochy the Royalists go on the offensive to devastating effect. After a grueling long distance night march through the highlands, Montrose descends on Argyll’s Covenanter army at Inverlochy. This battle is again a pitched battle but with the Royalists having the element of surprise.






Surprise Attack


To represent the Royalists stealing the initiative, after deployment up to half of the royalist units may make a free move of up to 8”.






Exhaustion


To represent the fatigue and lack of sleep after their grueling night march, all units in the Royalist army begin the battle with one casualty marker (This could also be -1 to Stamina).






Gerintaethem


The exhausted, sleepless Royalist army was in no mood for hanging about after the night march, and were eager to close on Argyll and finish the fight quickly. To represent this all units in the royalist army have the Eager special rule for this battle only.






Escape


Whether Argyll got some bad press or not after this battle, most accounts agree that he was very quick to leave the field to his waiting galley. To reflect this, once 50% of the army is either destroyed or in flight, Argyll will leave the field. The remaining Covenanter Brigade commander will take command of the army if it is still able to fight on.










The Battle of Auldearn


Hurry’s surprise attack on the scattered Royalist forces is often thought of as Montrose’s greatest victory. The initial weight of superior government forces must be held off by MacColla, until Montrose is capable of concentrating his forces and launching a telling counter-attack.






Terrain plays a big part in controlling the Covenanter advance, with marshes either side of Garlic Hill preventing their superior numbers from consuming the MacColla’s outnumbered forces.






OBJECTIVE: The objective for the Covenanters is to brush the defenders aside and capture Auldearn village before Montrose can bring his reserves to bear. The Royalists win if they hold Auldearn.






At the start of the game, MacColla’s body guard and one other unit are deployed west of the village, with one other unit in the village. Royalist reserves begin to appear at turn 4 at a rate of one unit per turn. These are deployed on a D3 dice roll of
North of Auldearn
East of Auldearn
South of Auldearn


However, the Royalist player can choose to withhold their arrival, enabling them to be deployed the following turn at a point of his choosing. This allows the Royalist to maximize the effect of their counterblow.













The Battle of Alford


Following up on his victory over Hurry’s Covenanter army at Auldearn, Montrose marched south to meet a fifth Covenanter army led by Baillie. Montrose chooses his ground high on a ridge on the south side of the river Don near Alford. Baillie crosses the river at a ford and deploys for a fight. This battle can be fought as a simple pitched battle, with the Royalists deployed first, waiting while the Covenanters deploy.






OBJECTIVE: The objective for both sides is to hold the field at the end of the battle.










The Battle of Kilsyth


With Baillie defeated and the Lowlands open for conquest, the Covenanters manage to pull together one last home defense army The reluctant Baillie is in nominal command but with his leadership ability now encumbered by his appointed kirk advisors. Montrose is waiting for the advancing Covenanters in the hills at Kilsyth, and Baillie attempts a brilliant flanking maneuver that could have ended the campaign. Unfortunately for the Government, an element of the Covenant army attacks too early, against Baillie’s orders, alerting the Royalists to the flanking movement. The battle descends into a meeting engagement as commander’s loose control and units from both sides join the fighting in a piecemeal manner.








The Royalist army should deploy first along the rightmost 2/3 of their chosen long table edge within 12” of the table edge. The Covenanter army deploy up to half the units in the rightmost 1/3 of the opposite table edge, but can deploy up to half way across the table.






At the beginning of the second and third turns the Covenanter player can deploy a further 25% of the units, such that the army is fully deployed by turn 3. These units are deployed on the same 1/3 table edge as the original deployment, but can take a full turn as normal. This represents the arrival of the remainder of Baillie’s army.






OBJECTIVES: The objective of both sides is to engage and defeat the enemy. The covenanter army should try hard to obtain victory by rolling up the royalist flank.






Loss of Control


To represent Baillie’s inability to control the advancing Covenanter army, the 50% of units deployed initially have the Eager special rule.










The Battle of Philiphaugh


At Philiphaugh, Montrose was outmaneuvered, outnumbered and outclassed by David Leslie and had little chance of achieving a victory. The Royalists should deploy first and infantry can begin the game in cover, behind a hedgerow and/or field boundary ditch.






OBJECTIVES: The Royalist objective is to hold without breaking for eight turns, at the end of which Montrose is considered to have repeated the disappearing act similar to that used at Fyvie. The Covenanter objective is to break the Royalist army before turn eight. If the Royalist army breaks it is considered effectively destroyed.






Continuing After Philiphaugh


If Montrose makes it all the way through the campaign and is successful at Philiphaugh, the campaign can be continued as a series of 'what-if' ladder scenarios based on the known forces at this time and the recruitment and attrition principles established during the previous year of campaigning.

Painting Tartan the Royalist Way

The Royalist Army at Auldearn included large numbers of highlanders and one of the most striking ways to show highland origins for a unit is to cover it in tartan. It is also the quickest route to insanity (or a new hobby) for the wargamer painting multiple large units. Reproducing tartan on a 28mm model is not that easy, and if we are honest the model is probably too small to see the details of any but the most bold tartan anyway.

In this period most tartans were created from a rather muted colour palette of dyes and if we add the muck and grime of hard campaigning (a belted plaid was clothing, bedroll and rain shelter all in one garment), the best way to paint tartan is probably as various grubby shades of dark grey and brown with only the most subtle hints of a tartan weave.

But that's not much fun and doesn't give scottish highlanders the look we want so we need some simple techniques for painting tartan on inch-high models in such a way that they look good on the tabletop.

There are several ways to paint tartan on 28mm models, all of them quite similar in many respects. After painting tartan on almost 170 models for this project alone, I have landed on my own favorite method. Roy also paints his plaids in a similar way, but prefers a slightly different approach to me. Both will be covered in this 'how-to'.

Basic principles of tartan and the terminology

Before starting its worth saying a few words about tartans, how they are made and the basic jargon associated with tartan weaving that is used later in this article.

Firstly the term tartan is used in UK english to describe this peculiarly scottish checked weave. In the US the word plaid is typically used for tartan. In the UK, the word plaid is used to describe a blanket or sheet of cloth, typically of woven tartan. The most from of kilt worn in seventeenth century Scotland was the belted plaid, simply a sheet of woven cloth belted at the waist, with the lower part below the waist hanging as a kilt, and the upper part above the belt gathered to the back and slung forward over the left shoulder.


The three methods I will cover are:

   A. Simple tartan with overstripe only

   B. Simple tartan with block check only

   C. Tartan with block check and overstripe

Before I cover the three methods for tartan a few words on the base garment colour upon which the tartan will be applied.

Base Colour

The base colour is the typically the dominant colour on a plaid. This can be a wide variety of colours, but for simplicity and efficiency I focus on 4 or 5 base colours which I now a use almost exclusively. I use very dark colours as this helps to highlight the lighter overstripe. If the base is too bright, it becomes difficult to see the overstrike. And trust me the overstrike lightens the model enormously so please resist the temptation to give you base colour bright highlights.

• Dark Red
• Dark Brown
• Dark Grey
• Dark Green

Dark Red Base

Base colour = Coat d'arms Negro, with a dash of Foundry Terracotta 37B.  A similar effect is achieved starting with GW Scorched Brown/GW Rhinox Hide with a tiny dash of black.  This is the same base colour I use for Brown tartans so I base the brown plaids at the same time.

Mid layer = Foundry Terracotta 37A

Highlight = Foundry Terracotta 37B

Dark Brown Base

Base colour = Coat d'arms Negro, with a tiny dash of Foundry Terracotta 37B.  A similar effect is achieved starting with GW Scorched Brown/GW Rhinox Hide with a tiny dash of black.  This is the same base colour I use for red tartans so I base the red plaids at the same time.

Mid layer = 50/50 Base Colour & GW Snakebite Leather/GW Balor Brown/Foundry Buff Leather 7A

Highlight = GW Snakebite Leather/GW Balor Brown/Foundry Buff Leather 7A

Dark Grey Base

This is the same colour I use for hodden grey uniforms. Essentially Foundry Granite 37, but I actually prefer GW Charadon Granite as the base colour for this triad.

Base colour = GW Charadon Granite/Foundry Granite 31A (with a tiny dash of black)

Mid layer = Foundry Granite 31B

Highlight = Foundry Granite 31C

Dark Green Base

Base colour = Foundry Bright Bottle Green 41A (with a dash of black). Any very dark green, almost black in appearance.

Mid layer = Foundry French Dragoon Green 70A with a dash of the above Base Colour

Highlight = Foundry French Dragoon Green 70B with a dash of the above Mid Layer

Other Base Colours

When I began painting plaids I would include some lighter base colours, with dark overstrike, but after painting a few models this way I dropped light colour tartans because I much preferred the look of darker tartans. If you like the lighter tartans the method is essentially the same. Here is an example of light tartan with dark overstrike. 

The grey is a lighter grey based around GW Fortress Grey, but the black overstripe darkens it up a lot. The light brown plaid is GW Bestial Brown/GW Vermin Brown with a black overstrike. Now onto the tricky bits...

A. Simple tartan with overstripe only

This is my favorite way to paint tartan. A simple overstripe gives a great tabletop approximation of an intricate tartan, the absence of the underlying block check is not a problem as the block check is often so subtle that it is difficult to spot on the tabletop anyway..

Step One - Paint the Base Tartan Colour

Select your base colour and follow instructions above

Step Two - Add the Overstripe(s)

Overstripe colour
I use two main overstripe colours for all my dark-based tartans; white and yellow. I occasionally use a red overstripe on a green base, but red does not stand out as much as the yellow or white. For my light-base tartans I use exclusively black overstriping and as I mentioned earlier, I rarely use a light-base tartan as it is just not as striking as the dark-base.

Painting the overstripe
Once you have determined your colour, choose whether you want a single or double overstrike. I prefer double overstripe as it gives the tartan a more intricate look, and is not much extra work.

Mix you chosen overs trip colour 50/50 with the Tartan Base colour (Mid Layer) and water it down until it is almost translucent. Use a fine brush (0 or finer) and form you brush tip into a very fine point, and if this is not possible, flatten the tip into a narrow flat edge (I use a flat edge rather than a point).

Make sure the brush is not overloaded with paint by unloading on a tissue or scrap of paper (I do this as I form the tip of the brush into a flat edge rather than a point).

Now the really tricky part - where to paint the stripes. It is obviously easiest to paint tartan overstripes on flat hanging cloth, so I always start there if I can. Locate an edge of the cloth, for example the hem of the kilt, or the base of a shoulder-draped belted plaid.

Move a mm or two in from the edge and using the narrow edge of your flattened brush paint two narrow parallel lines about 1mm apart. Try and do this in slow careful single stokes which end at folds. Pick up on the opposite side of the fold and continue parallel to the cloth edge until you meet the beginning of your overstripe or the overstripe would disappear under a fold or some other overlying item, such as a belt strap, bag or other equipment.

Move 4-5mm in from this first pair of overstrikes and paint a second parallel set in the same way. Trying as far as possible to maintain a steady 4-5 mm separation by eyeballing (there is no need to stop and measure).

The really hard part of painting plaid


Step Three - Add the Overstripe Intersections

B. Tartan with block check only

Step One - Base Tartan Colour

Step Two - Block Check (broad stripes)

Step Three - Block Check Intersections

C. Tartan with block check and overstripe

Step One - Base Tartan Colour

Step Two - Block Check (broad stripes)

Step Three - Block Check Intersections

Step Four - Overstripe

Step Five - Overstripe Intersections

Irish Brigade Flags - the "True Informer" and the Irish cross controversy

TRUE INFORMER AND OTHER SOURCES

Short Introduction here






Short Introduction here

POSSIBLE IRISH BRIGADE COLORS

0011.0
Field: White, possibly spattered with red, yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "AEQUUM EST PRO CHRISTO MORI" (It is just to die for Christ)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Red Crucifix
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Moran's source describes field as 'alibis respersis guts sanguineis' (white sprinkled with drops of blood). Blount says color was 'taken from the Irish Rebels in the late warres'
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p355
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p43
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35

0285.0
Field: Green (Vert), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "PATIOR UT VINCAM" (I suffer that I may conquer)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Christ carrying his cross on his shoulder
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p355
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Moran 17
Ryder, p43
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0112.0
Field: Yellow, yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "EXURGAT DEUS DISSIPENTUR INIMICI" (Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Resurrection of Christ
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Reid lists first motto as "EXURGAT DEUS, DISSIPEXTUR INIMICI".
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p355
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p43
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0178.0
Field: Red (gules), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "IN NOMINE JESUS OMNE GENU FLECTITUR" (At the name of Jesus every knee shall bend)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Inscribed with the name of "Jesus" ("IHS") with a cross
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Blount (1655) claims it was captured from the Irish Rebels. First motto is from Phil. 2:10. Moran's source notes that Parliament had forbidden genuflection.
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p43
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0063.0
Field: Blue (azure), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "CUNCTAS HAERESES INTEREMISTI" (Thou has overcome all heresies)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Virgin Mary holding infant Jesus in her arms, and with her heals trampling on a serpent's head.
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Not in Blount (1655). Reid lists first motto as "CUNCTAS HARESES INTEREMIST".
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Ryder, p43
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35

0417.0
Field: Blue (Azure), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "SOLVIT VINCULA DEUS" (God loosens the chains)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: An angel in white holding a sword with a gold handle cutting the chains of St Peter.
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p355
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p43
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35

0322.0
Field: Red (gules), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "PRO DEO REGE ET PATINA [PATRIA]" (For God and the King and the Chalice [country])
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Two arms issue from clouds. One supports a chalice with a host over it, the other holds a sword to defend them.
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Reid lists first motto as "PRO DEO, REGE AND PATINA".
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p44
Moran 17
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0297.0
Field: Unknown (perhaps painted clouds), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "POST NUBILA PHOEBUS" (After the clouds comes the sun [Phoebus])
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Black roundel surrounded by a cloud out of which the sun is appearing.
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p44
Moran 17
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0459.0
Field: Purple (purpure), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "VICTOR REDIT DE BARATHRO" (He swiftly returns victorious from the edge of hell)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Christ delivering the Fathers out of limbo.
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Not in Blount (1655). The first motto is a line from the latin hymn "The Lamb's high banquet called to share"
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Ryder, p44
Moran 18
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 124
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0141.0
Field: Red (gules), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "FORTITUDO MEA DESUPER" (My strength is from above)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: To left a silver armoured arm issuing from a cloud and holding a silver lamp (or lance).
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Moran appears to suggest arm is holding a lance rather than a lamp. Reid lists first motto as "FORTITUDO MEADE SUPER".
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p44
Moran 18
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0141.0
Field: White (argent), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "SIC PEREUNT HAERESES" (Thus heresies perish)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: An armoured man setting fire to John Calvin's book 'Institutes. The book is inscribed "Calv:Instit".
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Reid lists first motto as "SIO PEREUNT HARESES".
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p44
Moran 18
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0088.0
Field: Purple (purpure), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "DOMINUS VINDICAT POPULUM SUAM" (God will avenge his people)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: The figure of Judith holding a sword with the Holofernes severed head impaled upon it.
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p44
Moran 18
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 124
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

THE IRISH CROSS CONTROVERSY

USEFUL LINKS & REFERENCES

http://samsflags.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/development-history-of-irish-flags-pt5.html

Wargaming Auldearn

Introduction

Auldearn offers a twist on the classic encounter battle.  Although often claimed as Montrose’s greatest victory, its result changed little in the course of the campaign and was a closer run affair than most texts would lead you to believe.  When we started out, many years ago, to recreate this battle, little did we know that many of our assumptions would be challenged, as we dug deeper into the literature around the battle and the War of the Three Kingdoms in general. 

This article aims to describe the battle as we understand it.  From this we describe the order of battle and potential mechanisms to allow a game to be played in which both sides have the potential for victory.

Contact

The principal road through Auldearn ran north-south through the village.  Hurry had travelled along this route from Inverness but significantly had decided to leave the road and strike off across country to allow his army to descend on Auldearn from the open country in the west.  However, as his troops approached, they cleared their weapons of damp powder in preparation for the coming battle. 

 “…for want of which intelligence, if God had not prevented it beyond all expectation, all ther throats had bein cut.” Ruthven

As Hurry closed in, Montrose’s force was widely dispersed, most likely billeted in local crofts or foraging in the surrounding area.  In Auldearn, only MacCollas veteran lifeguard and Gordon of Monymores untested highland regulars were to hand.  The shots from the advancing Covenanters must have come as a shock to Montrose (who throughout his campaign, was repeatedly caught off-guard).  Hurry’s advance through the open country may have bypassed the scouts on the Inverness road, but it is also possible that Montrose neglected to deploy an effective picket line.

“….the major; who, for all his diligence, could hardly get two regiments drawn wpe, on of the Irishes, and on of Huntlie, when the enemie were com in sight….” Ruthven.

Hurrys force advanced from the west, across the broad whaleback ridge of Garlic Hill.  MacColla and Monymore deployed across their path, amongst turf walled farm encloses, fighting a delaying action to buy Montrose precious time to muster his ill-prepared forces.  The heavily outnumbered Royalists were forced back but the government forces were unable to bring their superior numbers to bear.  The marshy areas on either side of Garlic Hill appear to have forced the fighting into a narrow frontage and only Hurry’s leading elements were able to engage the Royalists.

“The enemie, coming up two regiments in a full body, flanked with horsemen, did charge the major in that difficult place…” Ruthven.

Campbell of Lawers veteran infantry regiment engaged in a brutal firefight with MacCollas Lifeguard, repeatedly slayed the ensigns holding aloft MacCollas yellow banner.  As the hard-pressed Royalists withdrew off Garlic Hill, Hurry held his men in check, preventing a pursuit into Auldearn.  Hurry’s reluctance to press home the advantage suggests he realized that he was not facing all of Montrose’s force.  By keeping the majority of his force on the hard won high-ground, Hurry may have been uncertain of where and when Montrose would commit his reserves, as well as the need to re-order his force prior to an assault on the village.  Hurry’s caution may reflect a professional respect for Montrose as an adversary, and coupled with a lack of good intelligence, led him to misjudge the Royalists somewhat desperate situation.

“So, efter a brave and long maintained resistance, (MacColla) is forced a reteir to som yeards of the town, and from thence to keipe them of with counteinuall shot, which a little quealed ther force…” Ruthven.

In the Balance

MacColla took up a defensive position within Auldearn and its surrounding enclosures.  As Lawers committed his men forward, the marshy ground separating Garlic Hill from Auldearn slowed their advance.  Within the village MacColla and Monymore were reinforced by the arrival of fresh elements of the Irish regiments.  As the leading covenanter regiments prepared to advance on the village, with Lawers again on the front line, Monymores took up position on the crest of Castle Hill.   The Covenanter advance stalled as they negotiated the boggy ground to emerge on the steep slopes and enclosures of Auldearn.  Here they encountered a galling fire from the Irish in the village and Gordons on their flank.

Seizing the initiative, MacColla counter-attacked with the Irish but soon became bogged down in the same marshy ground that had slowed the covenanter advance.  In fact, the ground beneath Castle Hill was so broken that Monymore could not advance at all.  After more fierce fighting, the Irish regained a foothold amongst the turf enclosures on Garlic Hill.  Lawers, forced to retire, reformed and supported by the Loudon’s Regiment, advanced once more on the Royalists.  The two regiments, flanked by supporting horse, and supported by indirect bow-fire from Seaforths Highlanders, once more succeeded in forcing MacColla back into the village, but this time were able to pursue the Irish into the lanes of Auldearn.

“…and altho (MacColla) was forced to quyt his ground, yet this brave and valorous gentleman keipt his second retreat still in a pouster of defence.” Ruthven.

Vicious hand to hand fighting raged in the houses and back-courts, whilst musket fire undoubtedly played along the flanks of the engagement. Highland tradition vividly describes the desperate struggle within the confines of the village as the two forces became intermingled.  Unable to bring his cavalry to bear, Hurry pushed forward additional infantry to support the battle, perhaps hoping to finally break Monymores obstinate defense on Castle Hill, and allowing his superior numbers to swamp MacColla and the Irish. However, the terrain once again prevented Hurry to capitalize his numerical advantage.

The Pivot

With the battle now grinding towards a Covenanter victory, Hurry became fixated on the force to his front and neglected the danger posed on his lengthy exposed flanks.  Perhaps, given the fighting had gone on all morning and into the early afternoon, Hurry believed that all Royalist forces were now engaged.  As Hurry’s leading regiment was engaged in house- to-house fighting in the village, the majority of his force sat idle on the slopes of Garlic Hill.  In the meantime, Montrose had been gathering the rest of his forces to the east of Auldearn, screened from Hurry by the hill upon which Auldearn Auldearn was built.  Rather than feed them into the confused fighting within the village, Montrose directed his reserves to the north and south, to fall upon the flanks of the Covenanter army on Garlic Hill.

First contact came from the south where Aboyne’s Horse attacked the Covenanter’s right flank.  Screened by the smoke of battle, Aboyne’s troopers surprised Drummond’s Horse placed on the right by Hurry to support his infantry. Whether through treachery, miscommunication or just incompetence, Drummond reacted by wheeling his troop into the flank of Seaforths Highlanders.  In the ensuing disorder, Aboyne drove the two regiments back into their supports with much slaughter.

“Wherefor (Aboyne) fales in vpon the right wing, and they receive his charge with such a conteinuall giving of fyre, as he semed, by the thick smok throw which he went, to asalt a terrible cloud of thunder and lightening. “ Ruthven.

As panic spreads, the veteran Covenanter regiments in the village disengaged and withrew back to Garlic Hill as Hurry tried to restore order. However, Lord Gordon’s horse now emerged from behind Castle Hill and moving at the charge, made short shrift of the flanking Covenanter cavalry and fell upon Lawers retiring infantry.

“My Lord Gordon by this time charges the left winge, and that with a new for a fight, for he discharges with all shooting of pistols and carrabines, only with ther swords to charge quyt throwgh ther enemies, who wer so many in Number…” Ruthven.

With their leading regiments now hard-pressed, the Covenanters watched in horror as Strathbogie’s fresh regiment of foot emerged from the southern end of Auldearn, and the remains of MacColla’s command debouched from Auldearn. Hurry tried to stem this advance with the Lord Chancellors and Lothians Foote.  However, these veterans of Ireland, perhaps singled out for their history of campaigning in Ulster, died hard around their standards, there retreat cut off by the marauding royalist cavalry to their rear.

“Lovdonis regiment, the Lavthean regiment, Laeris regiment, and Bucannanis regiment ar for the most pairt cut af, fighting to the death most vaiantlie.” Spalding.

With his best regiments fighting on despite being surrounded, Hurry realized the battle was lost and , fled southwards intending to retire on Inverness.  However, the road was covered by royalist troopers (who in the confusion had actually set about one another) who offered little quarter to the fleeing Covenanters. Seeing this danger, Hurry turned to the west, retreating across the River Nairn at Howford.

“Thair wes reknet to be slayne heir at this bloodie battle aboue 2000 men to Hurry.” Spalding.

Aftermath

To all intents and purpose Hurry’s army was destroyed.  His less experienced regiments had scattered and his veterans were savaged.  However, the toll was high on the royalist side with over 200 slain, including 24 officers and likely a greater number of wounded.  The following day Montrose retired rather than pursuing Hurry, marching the remains of his army towards the Gordon fiefdoms in the east.  Along the way, Montrose’s men harried the lands of the local Earls who had raised the regiments in support of Hurry.

“It is to be considderit, that Montrose, his capitans, and soldiouris, wan this victorie with gryt gloir of armis”. Spalding.

The Game

There are many appropriate rule systems for the War of the Three Kingdoms.  We have chosen to use Warlord’s Black Powder, as described in the “Pike & Shotte” supplement.   At first Auldearn seemed like a reasonable proposition for a wargame. However, looking at other descriptions of tabletop refights, it became apparent that three factors are often overlooked; the influence of terrain, the timing of action and finally the quality of the troops.   In games the table is often too open, the troop quality is skewed with royalist supermen, and the cavalry always come to the rescue.  This raises the question of how to build a balanced game where both sides are capable of gaining something from the conflict. In reality, the outcome of this battle was not a foregone conclusion and for a critical period in the village, shortly after noon, the Royalists were effectively beaten.

The Table

The terrain in this part of Nairnshire is a series of sandy, rolling hills, which decrease in elevation from the Grampian Plateau in the south, to the coast in the north.  The battle field is dominated by ridge of Garlic Hill, which points east towards the heart of Auldearn.  The village sits on high ground with two prominent heights; the western most being the old motte of Erin’s castle (Auld-Erin), the second being crowned by the kirk.  The 17^th century town did not extend to the south and east as far as it does today but the ground had enough elevation to block line-of-sight for any great distance to the east, even from the summit of Garlic Hill. Thus the topography was generally T-shaped, with Garlic Hill forming the trunk beneath the cross-bar of the Auldearn dominated ridge.  With regards table lay-out: at its simplest the terrain should have two large hills arranged in a T, with Garlic Hill forming the trunk and separated from the Auldearn ridge by a narrow, boggy valley.  Auldearn village should be set up towards the northern part of the T’s cross. 

Garlic Hill was not as open in the 17^th century as it is today.  Much of it was covered by small enclosures, utilized by the royalists to mount their defense.  Other parts of the hill we undeveloped with patches of thick gorse.

These days the terrain is well-drained, yet in the 17^th century, the local streams were poorly confined and associated with broad areas of boggy marsh.  Two streams flowed around Garlic Hill, coming together at the base of Castle Hill.  As such, Garlic Hill was almost completely surrounded marsh ground.  The narrow area of boggy ground and steep slopes of Auldearn, combined to provide MacCollas Thermopylae, is was likely a critical factor in the covenanters being unable to maximize their strength in numbers.  As well as the marsh areas, the streams themselves must have locally provided significant obstacles.  The present day Covenanters Inn is partially constructed from the old water mill, indicating that the stream here must have been deep and fast enough to drive this.

Auldearn village was characterized by multiple small enclosures (“yeards”), so numerous fence lines should also be added.  The two high points of Auldearn hill should be crowned by the Doocoot and Kirk respectively.  In the case of the former, enough open space should be provided to allow for (Monymores) shotte units to deploy.

Multiple tracks can be modelled, but the only known main road was the one from Inverness, which skirted around the south of Garlic Hill, entering Auldearn from the South.  The current road from Nairn cuts through the northern marsh area and was probably not a major artery before drainage.  Outside of the village, on well-drained ground, small copses of trees can be added but the hills were generally open with the exception of occasional patches of gorse and local, turf-walled, enclosures.

Under Pike and Shotte, terrain is thus classified as follows; streams, fences and turf-walled enclosures are linear obstacles, marsh and gorse patches are rough-ground; tracks and fords through streams/marsh are open with no movement penalties to troops deployed in column formation.  Hills, buildings and woods will all obscure line-of-sight.

Deployment

The game begins with MacColla’s Lifeguard and Monymores Regiment on Garlic Hill, facing the might of the advancing Covenanter army arriving on the western board edge. Unless engaged in melee, the royalist can retire towards Auldearn whenever they choose, using the Fall-Back rule.

In the early stages of the battle the Covenanters will be better placed to bring their numbers to bear on the central section of Garlic Hill, with only low turf-dykes providing defensive positions for the hard pressed Royalists.  As the battle progressed, and MacColla retreated, the available deployment width on Garlic Hill, into Auldearn will be reduced to a narrow frontage, such that only a single regiment can directly assault the Village.  This reflects the fact that onlyLawers Regiment could enter Auldearn and their support was from the Seaforths firing arrows indirectly.

Montrose was able assemble his scattered regiments behind Auldearn and then choose when and where he was going to deploy them.  If Hurry had cleared the village Montrose would not have had this critical advantage.  All troop deployment behind the Auldearn ridge should be hidden. 

Scattered Royalist units joining the fighting from outlying billets will be treated as reserves. Royalist reserves arrive from the start of turn 4, in the following order at approximately one regiment per-turn;

Turn 4. The Irish Regiments

Turn 6. Aboynes Horse

Turn 7. Gordon Horse

Turn 8. The Strathbogie Regiment

However, to reflect Montrose’s tactical counter stroke, the regiments need not be deployed until they are ready to advance, reflecting Montrose nursing his reserves for his counter stroke. Additionally, if the regiment is “held” for at least one turn, the royalist player can deploy them on either flank.

To prevent the Covenanter player being overly prepared for their arrival, the closest two units to the flanking reserves must take an immediate break test.  This should only occur once per flank, encouraging the royalist to commit his reserve at a time of maximum disruption in the government lines.  Flanking units are deployed at the start of the move and can participate in the turn.

If the Covenanters, seize the high-ground in Auldearn village, or clear the village itself, all Royalist reserves must arrive on the eastern table edge and cannot move that turn. 

Timing

By most accounts Auldearn lasted all day.  The distinct phases of the battle, described above, were separated by pauses, as both sides took stock and redressed their formations.  For the majority of the day, only a small percentage of Hurry’s force was engaged.  Additionally, it was only late in the day that Montrose had assembled all his force for his counterstroke. 

If Hurry had captured Auldearn, Montrose could never have launched his surprise attack.  If MacColla had held up Hurry longer on Garlic Hill, or Montrose assembled his troops earlier, the battle may have occurred on the hill.

To reflect the protracted nature of the struggle, and the hiatuses between the various episodes of the battle, each side is allowed to call a tactical pause for one turn.  During this pause, no shooting or melee is allowed, rallying can be resolved and movement/redeployment can occur.  This will encourage Hurry to push forward but give Montrose some respite from the overwhelming odds.

Order of Battle for Auldearn

Given the relatively small numbers involved at Auldearn it is possible to achieve a roughly 1:10 ratio for figures, which can work well for 28mm figures on a 6’ x 8’ table.  Unit size is an important parameter in Pike & Shotte, where units are classified as tiny, small, standard or large.  This not only reflects the physical size (frontage and number of models) but also the fighting ability with size modifying the basic unit stat line.

In terms of troop quality and unit stat line it is relatively easy to construct the forces at Auldearn from the list included in the book.  However, as with many rule systems, Montrose’s forces are represented as Gaelic supermen, whilst those of the government are relatively bland. 

For the Royalist army, the Irish regiments and MacColla’s Lifeguard can be used as listed in the Pike & Shotte rule book.  Here they have a strong stat-line which makes them more than a match for any single standard Covenanter unit.  The regiments of Strathbogie and Monymore are regular highland regiments and can be fielded as basic Scots infantry.  As Monymore’s regiment was newly raised it should be given the Freshly Raised special rule.

The Covenanter regiments were a little more diverse in quality than the lists provided in Pike & Shotte.  Hurry’s experienced regiments (Lawers, Lothians & the Lord Chancellors) gave a good account of themselves on the day and should be rated accordingly.  Therefore, rating them as veterans, and giving them the Valiant, Stubborn and Elite 4+ special rules should give them some staying power.  Conversely, Hurry additionally had some untested regiments (Seaforths, Sutherlands and the Northern Levies) which should be given the Freshly Raised special rule.  

Scottish Horse, in most rules of for the period, commonly gets unfairly downgraded, as these were not commoner’s mounted on ponies.  Neither is their evidence to distinguish the Royalist Horse from their Covenanter counterparts.  At Auldearn and Kilsyth, the Royalists benefitted from surprise and terrain whilst at Alford, in an open fight, they performed no better or worse.  We suggest that the basic Covenanter Horse stat-line be applied to both forces cavalry, but that the Royalist Horse is given the Marauders special rule, allowing them more tactical independence.  Numeric superiority and surprise should see the Royalist Cavalry perform well on the table. Drummond’s blunder may have been the catalyst for the Covenanter collapse and as such this unit can be burdened with a -1 on all motivational tests, reflecting the incompetence, cowardice or collusion of its commander.

Brigade commanders, at a minimum, should consist of Montrose and MacColla for the Royalists and Hurry and Mackenzie for the Covenanters.  One additional brigade commander may be added to free Hurry and Montrose for a broader battlefield role as general, if felt appropriate.  Both Montrose and MacColla need little introduction and should be rated 10 and 9 respectively.  Hurry was an experienced mercenary soldier of dubious loyalty but should be rated 9 as he showed unwavering loyalty to his paymasters at Auldearn.  George Mackenzie, Earl of Seaforth, was a fair-weather supporter of the Covenant and of uncertain loyalty.  A rating of 6 should ensure that he has a dragging effect on the Government force, perhaps creating a few “blunders” along the way.

All the best!
Roy & Walter