1114 AD: The Second Battle Of Jerusalem
(Evening gentlemen, just finished fighting this battle and thought I'd make a post about it. It was the best battle I've had so far on this campaign, mostly because I have finally held Jerusalem long enough to attain some of those really neat looking Crusader units. This is also the first major action I have fought with my newly formed Crusader army. Enjoy. )
1114 AD: The Second Battle for Jerusalem
Many years have since passed since the taking of Jerusalem back into Christian hands. Now, in the year of our lord, 1114 the armies of Islam muster to drive the Christians out of the Holy Land. Fresh hoards march in endless lines from the south, where the ancient realm of Egypt lies. From the east no signs of war can be seen, not since the Turks and the King of France agreed to a cease fire. It is the hope of all that the peace lasts, least Jerusalem not be beset upon two flanks.
Even so, the carrion birds gather in the lands around the city, for though no declaration of war has come the armies of the Sultans of Egypt gather strength around the city, silently growing their numbers by the hundreds.
A counsel is made by the Christian lords in Jerusalem and it is decided to ride out and meet the foe, better that than wait for the sword stroke yet to come. Sir Odo de Breze is in charge of the army, nearly a thousand strong, and leaving a strong garrison in Jerusalem he marches with his men into the thick of where the enemy gather. Great was the sight of that host of war marching out from the gates of God’s city. Seventy maidens on either side of the road gathered to throw flowers to the departing troops, singing hymns to strengthen the men’s faith as they left. Sir Odo himself sitting tall in the saddle his noble face set for the task ahead, so time for softness now. That he left at the steps of his great house in the from of a tender kiss to his lady, Lunette the Gentle, daughter of a lord of Brittany.
Yet it shall be a grim battle, for the odds are greatly against the army of Jerusalem, this is made clear from the very first reports of scouts sent far ahead of the main army.
On the day of the battle the skies were clear and the sun beat down mercilessly upon the Christian soldiers, and made their sturdy mail hauberks burdensome. Sir Odo drew up his army in a well ordered formation. A straight line of men-at-arms in the front, with lighter armed spear men on the flanks to guard against cavalry attacks. Behind these was a guard of knights around a tall cross, standing taller than any man above the Christian lines.
On the high ground of the right flank Sir Odo set his cavalry, lead by another nobleman, along two full units of Knights Hospitilers, with mounted Sergeants as support. The archers, crossbowmen and trebuchets were all set behind the mainlines for protection while they carried out their deadly work at a distance.
Then over a hill in the distance the Egyptians come charging like a great tide over the sands, the archers and trebuchets open fire but the lines are soon closed. There is little time for strategy or ranged weapons, now only hard fighting will win the day.
Sir Odo commands his cavalry move past the enemy lines now engaged with this own and sweep away the archers that are firing behind them, now without protection. Soon the enemy archers are routed and the Sergeants pursue them across the field while the Hospitilers turn and charge into the back of the enemy ranks. Soon the whole enemy host routs and are, many cut down as they flee.
Yet even as the smell of victory wafts upon the breeze a fresh Egyptian host arrives upon the Christan flank and Sir Odo hurries to reform his own ranks, now scattered cutting down fleeing enemies. Seeing a rouge enemy unit making for the rear of his own lines Sir Odo charges it with a unit of Hospitilers close behind, soon they rout the foe.
The army of Jerusalem is allowed to reform while trebuchet and archery fire makes the enemy reinforcements hesitant to continue their advance.
Also, they must advance across a field full of their fallen comrades, when at last the lines do meet once more it is only a brief melee before the enemy routs again, and Sir Odo commands all his troops forward to slay as many as the routing enemy as possible now that no other sizable enemy forces can be seen in the field.
Quarter is granted only to those who God graced with swift legs as the rout is cut to pieces and the enemy driven from the field, utterly broken. The sacred city of Jerusalem is safe once more, by the grace of God and the valour of Christian arms.
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