Into Mercia!

[The Mad Skylord]

A Norman host gathered in a clearing, some miles north of the city of London. As collections of French, Norman, Breton and Flemish infantry steadily erected tents and built camp fires, squires tended to their masters horses and knights lounged around, doing nothing but drink and carouse with their fellows.

It was in this atmosphere that Robert de Mortain, Count of Mortain and Baron of the Honour of Berkshire, awaited the arrival of his soon to be comrades in arms.

From his own estates, he expected a force of dispossessed knights and infantry - men who had been mercenaries brought to England by William, many of them dismissed for the winter. In addition to those lances, he awaited the arrival of the Bishop of Bayeux, who had agreed to follow him into the lands of the Earl Edwin of Mercia.

There was excitement, the venture had been officially recognised by the King and Robert knew it was a chance for great wealth and large estates, should all go to plan.

As it stood, Norman forces would advance into Mercia - likely along the coast - and give the Saxons a choice. Capitulate, or lose everything. Mortain refused to miss this chance, he would sweep through quickly, and secure a victory before the Mercians could respond. Now, where was the rest of his army?

Troops and Commanders

Commanders
Robert de Mortain, Comte de Mortain - +3 Battles, +3 Logistician, +1 Pillager
Odo de Champagne, Comte de Troyes et Meaux - +2 Duels, +2 Survival

Troops
Mortain
65 Norman Knights
50 Frankish Knights
172 Norman Serjeants
115 Flemish Spearmen
200 Archers

Bayeux
20 Norman Knights
48 Norman Serjeants
100 Archers

Troyes
50 Norman Knights
100 Norman Serjeants
200 Archers

Lincolnshire
60 Huscarls
90 Thegns
120 Fyrdmen
120 Footmen
120 Archers
90 Hobelars

Total: 1'720 men

[Dirty Chai]

A rider arrives from across the Thames, where Odo was given land by William. The young man carries a message from the bishop for his younger brother. It is clear from the language used that Odo simply had a prelate beneath him write it for him.

My brother, Robert, who is Count of Mortain, may God guide your steps,

We must preach caution, good lord. For though you are brave and able, and your sword-men and spear-men may be in multitude, we do not think it in God's prudence to charge north so rapidly. It is our firmest belief that the time will come soon, but is not yet here, and must be awaited. We also suspect that our half-brother, the King, has not given much in the way of backing for this campaign either.

Ever your faithful older brother,
Odo of Bayeux, Episcopus Baiocensis

[Dirty Chai]

A messenger returned, bearing a reply from the Comte Dr Mortain.

The rider does not return to the encampment. A day passes, and then on the following afternoon, the bishop arrives on horseback with a small band of cavaliers, numbering only twenty at most. He wears a noble's riding tunic, with embroidered crosses, but otherwise looks prepared for neither ceremony nor battle - expect for the club hanging from his saddle.

[The Mad Skylord]

Mortain met his brother afoot, accompanied by a dozen or so barons and knights - a mixture of his favoured tenants from Mortain, as well as his vassals from the Honour of Berkshire. With then was the monk Vitelus, famed for his wisdom and sought by de Mortain for his counsel, wearing the habit of his order. "Odo." The Count called to his brother. "I am glad you have come, though I had hoped for a larger company."

[Dirty Chai]

Odo nodded, a sardonic look in eyes and on his lips as he swung his visage up and down. He had shaved his hair after Hastings, but a rough tuft had grown back and maybe even in a few months it would be long again.

"You better hope for a whole mob of boys to do your proposed blood work," he tells his younger brother from stop his horse. A page runs over to give him a step off, but he seems to not notice and just jumps off the side.

"You want to attack Anglish men with nothing but your own household? This is not the Vexin, Robert."

[The Mad Skylord]

Robert smirked, relaxing his stance and hooking his thumbs into the belt. He was ready for chainmail, with the under padding already on.

"Just a light bit of raiding, Odo, I'm not looking to fight anyone per say."

The knights and barons were beginning to slowly filter away, but Robert remained, watching his brother thoughtfully. "William has consented, you know."

[Dirty Chai]

"Why do you not wait for him to marshal a larger army? Obviously he will move north, too."

Odo strode closer and his voice became more hushed. He was a little shorter than Mortain, but his stance was that of an older brother nonetheless.

[The Mad Skylord]

Robert carelessly flung his arm about Odo's shoulder, and attempted to nudge his older brother into his pavilion - obviously out of prying eyes, for he lowered his voice as well. "That is exactly the point, Odo, he will move north and any chance of personal riches will be lost."

Mortain frowned slightly, he was far from cautious he knew, but this could hardly be counted as especially bold - it was quite a common thing on the Breton and French borders, as well as among the counties of Normandy. "I will raid perhaps three or four miles into Mercia, along the coast and the border - you know I have skill and experience at moving my conroys swiftly. I intend to draw back across the border at the first sign of any real trouble."

He watched Odo carefully, quite determined to have his way but hesitating to offend his older brother. "Think of the gold we could win, Odo, with naught but ourselves to share in it. You could build a new church, have fresh tapestries woven, a host of things for which you need coin. We needn't do anything wild to gain it, simply cross and raid - something for which our ancestors, both far and near, were famed for doing. It's the chance of a lifetime, my brother, and it should be safe enough. Mercia is a big place."

[Dirty Chai]

Odo scoffs. "It sounds as if you do not have any need of my help."

[The Mad Skylord]

[color=red]"More men would mean we could affect a larger area more quickly, Odo."[/color.] Robert's counter was quick, he knew how difficult Bayeux could be. "Besides, I want you to come - I'm not a completely selfish man." The unspoken truth was that to effectively defend himself, he needed more men than he had.

[Dirty Chai]

"Fine. You want more men? I'll lend you mine."

If nothing else, it was crossing a line for a bishop to be present on a large string of raids - battle sanctioned by Rome and one's lord was one thing, banditry and fire was another. That was what set him apart from his brothers, Odo supposed.

"But I'm getting a large cut, Robert."

[The Mad Skylord]

Robert smiled endearingly, now here was a result. "You'll be getting half, Odo." He scratched idly at the stubble on his cheeks. Shaving bore little importance now that they were set to ride hard and fast. "Now let us drink and you can tell me when they'll get here." By any standards, Robert de Mortain was a chancy bastard.

[Dirty Chai]

25 Knights, 50 Serjeants, 100 Archers arrive from the Bishop of Bayeux

[The Mad Skylord]

Raid rolls:

East Elloe - Average Income - 50 Norman Serjeants
Spalding - Average Income - 50 Norman Serjeants
Stamford - Average Income - 50 Flemish Spearmen
Somerton - Average Income - 50 Norman Knights
Sleaford - Average Income - 50 Norman Knights
Boston - Average Income - 50 Flemish Spearmen
Bolingbroke - Prosperous Income - 50 Frankish Knights - Robert de Mortain +1 Pillager

[Trot]

East Elloe 6- Garrison Musters a Weak defense
1 man is lost
540 gold is looted

Spalding 12- Garrison Musters a defense
1 man is lost
30 gold is looted

Stamford 4- Raiding party is unopposed
480 gold is looted

Somerton 16- the attackers are detected well before they arrive, allowing the local troops to retreat to the closest friendly castle (if applicable) taking all their valuables with them. The castle must be captured in order to loot the province. Proceed to perception roll. If there is no castle, a field battle is rolled.

No castle field battle required as the local Saxon nobles and their huscarls rush to meet the invading Norman party.

15 knights go down but the superior Norman cavalry drives of the Saxon force

450 gold looted


Sleaford 6- Garrison musters a weak defense
5 men are lost
510 Gold is looted

Boston 2- Raiders are undetected
30 gold is looted

Boligbroke 17- the attackers are detected well before they arrive, allowing the local troops to retreat to the closest friendly castle (if applicable) taking all their valuables with them. The castle must be captured in order to loot the province. Proceed to perception roll. If there is no castle, a field battle is rolled.

No castle the men of de Mortain find the Saxons ready to meet them in battle



ooc Does your commander have any combat modifiers in Bolingbroke before I roll it?

[The Mad Skylord]

+3 Battles

[Oznerol]

Odo of Troyes, arrives with his men, including a chosen force of mounted men, all of them armed in the Norman fashion. The count himself arrives with his nasal helm, mail hauberk and a kite shield adorned with a large golden cross.

[The Mad Skylord]

He is met by the other Count, armed and dressed in a similar fashion. Robert's kite shield hung from the side of his saddle, somewhat awkwardly, and it showed a coiling red dragon breathing flame. It had been a gift from his mother and father, Herleva and Herluin, when he had first went to do battle, and he was immensely fond of it. "Troyes! I was beginning to worry you would never show. Come, come! There is much to do, we must be on the move before noon, I hope to take advantage of the chaos our fires have created." Upon closer inspection, the recently patched rent in Robert's mail showed that he had recently been in combat, and he appeared eager for more.

[Gandalfus]

Incensed at the pillaging of their lands by William's allies, a group of Mercian Thegns has began mustering a force at Lincoln. It seems their intent is to drive this raiding force from their lands.

[Trot]

@Bollingbroke

The army of Saxons that rallied were to much for the Frankish knights.
The killed 20 knights in the battle and drove off the rest before any real looting could begin.

Post battle roll 22 de Mortain takes a minor shoulder wound and suffers -1 duels for the next 24 hours.