Wars of the Roses Strategy Battle Game
Wars of the Roses Strategy Battle Game is an adaptation of the popular Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG) rules from Games Workshop for use in playing skirmish games set in the Wars of the Roses (the civil wars that took place in England between 1455 and 1487). They’re completely free.
The rules are inspired by other adaptations of MESBG for the Medieval period: Age of Trebuchet and Legends of the Middle Ages.
The rules are not an exhaustive rules set, just enough content to allow players to recreate Wars of the Roses scenarios using the Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game rulebook. They also don’t cover everything. So far, they focused on some of the most distinctive troop types found in the Wars of the Roses, such as billmen, longbow archers and men-at-arms. Rules for cavalry, European mercenaries, Irish kerns etc maybe added at a future date.
These rules additions include the following:
- Profiles for troop types commonly found in the Wars of the Roses
- Special Rules that these troops might have
- New Rules for Weapons and Armour
Also included at the end are some notes on the types of scenarios that these rules might be used for and also some sample warbands that could be used for a Battle Companies size game.
Profiles
Knight/Man-at-Arms Points: 17
| F | S | D | A | W | C |
| 4 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
Wargear
Full Plate
Pole-Axe
Options
Replace Pole-Axe with Longsword
Special Rules
Trained for War
Household Retainer Points: 10
| F | S | D | A | W | C |
| 4/3+ | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Wargear
Partial Plate
Hand weapon
Options
Halberd 1 point
Longsword 2 point
Buckler 1 point
Longbow 1 point
Special Rules
Trained for War 5 points
Expert Shot 5 points
Retinue Billman Points: 10
| F | S | D | A | W | C |
| 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Wargear
Jack and Helm
Bill
Options
Partial Plate, +1 Defence 1 point
Special Rules
–
Shire Levy Billman Points: 7
| F | S | D | A | W | C |
| 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Wargear
Jack and Helm
Bill
Options
–
Special Rules
–
Retinue Archer Points: 17
| F | S | D | A | W | C |
| 4/3+ | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Wargear
Longbow
Padded Jack and Helmet
Buckler
Hand weapon
Options
Partial Plate, +1 Defence 1 point
Special Rules
Expert Shot
Shire Levy Archer Points: 7
| F | S | D | A | W | C |
| 3/4+ | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Wargear
Longbow
Hand weapon
Options
Jack, +1 Defence 1 point
Buckler 1 point
Special Rules
Expert Shot 5 points
Peasant/Lowly Foot Points: 4
| F | S | D | A | W | C |
| 2/5+ | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Wargear
Hand weapon
Options
Spear 1 point
Bill 1 point
Bow 1 point
Jack & Helm 1 point
Special Rules
–
Special Rules
A fairly brief section so far! But that’s not a bad thing. All other special rules are as in the main Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game rulebook.
From MESBG Rules:
Bodyguard – pass courage tests if near the hero
Expert Shot – shoot twice
New Special Rules:
Trained for War
If using a pole-ax or halberd (i.e. knightly two-handed-weapon) ignore -1 penalty to Duel rolls.
Weapons and Armour
Longbow
Strength 4 at Short Range (12″)
Strength 3 at Medium Range (24″)
Strength 2 and -1 to Hit at Long Range (36″)
Bill
Two-handed weapon and Hook Special Strike
Hook
Billman can opt to Hook before Duel roll. If win the Duel then can hook their opponent.
If mounted the rider is thrown and rolls on the thrown rider table.
If opponent is infantry, then treat as Bash – opposed d6 + Strength rolls – no bonus for two-handed. If opponent loses they are knocked prone.
Longsword
Treat as hand-and-a-half sword
Can use parry and feint special strikes
Poleax/Halberd
Two-handed. If Trained for War ignore -1 penalty to Duel roll.
Buckler
+1 to Duel Roll
No additional defense.
Seems that it makes it fighting with a sword more effective, so more likely to win the duel.
Scenario Ideas for War of the Roses Strategy Battle Game
Types of scenarios:
- Raids
- Scouting/foraging parties – attacked by other parties from opposing army. Objective to take prisoners and prevent anyone getting away.
- Brawls between retainers of opposing factions
- Attempted murders
- Refuge sought in manor or church – mini-siege
- Larger skirmishes – two lords and retinues conduct a private war.
Sample Warbands for Battle Companies
The Knightly Retinue
Knight with Pole-Axe (17)
2 Household Retainers with Halberds (11)
3 Retinue Billmen (10)
3 Retinue Archers (17)
Total = 9, Break point 4
Points = 120
The Shire Levy
6 Shire Levy Billman (7) 42
4 Shire Levy Archers (7) 28
4 Shire Levy Archers with Expert Shot (12) 48
Total = 14, Break: 7
Points: 118
The Yorkist Foraging Party
2 Retinue Billman (10) = 20
2 Retinue Archer (17) = 34
2 Shire Levy Billman (7) = 14
4 Shire Levy Archer (7) = 28
4 Lowly Footman with Spear (5) = 20
Total = 14, Break: 7
Points: 116
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