Scottish Civil War

[Dagoth Nerevar]

Hello, all! This is my first ever AAR! The idea actually came to me while in the shower, so get ready for some stupid stuff.

Sorry about this map:



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Outskirts of Edinburgh-1089

Scotland, from the point of 1087 on, was a place of great turmoil. King Malcolm had just recently died, and his two sons were on the brink of civil war. The rightful heir, Prince Edward, was supported by the nobles of Scotland, and could be guaranteed the support of Edinburgh, Oslo, and Dublin if worst came to worst. The usurper was named Edmund Canmore. He was supported by the English, as he favored becoming their vassal. However, he could not realize this wish while his brother had a claim to the throne. If he decided to attempt to take the throne by force, the inhabitants of York and Inverness would aid him.

In December 1089, Prince Edward returned from Oslo with his veteran troops to begin his coronation. Edmund, predictably, blocked his entrance to Edinburgh, insultingly flying the English flag over the city. The local Scots took great offense to this, and forced him out of the city with a ragtag band of troops. It was at this time that Edmund decided to seize, or attempt to seize, the throne of Scotland. His troops, flying the English flag and wearing English colors, attacked Prince Edward.

Waiting for the enemy...

Edmund the Usurper approaches...

The opening "shots" of the civil war.

Flank them!

The cowardly dogs run!






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After the decisive first battle, in which Edward won a heroic victory, Edmund retreated to York, bringing his tired and hungry army with him. The citizens of York greeted him as a liberator, for they had been the ones to whom the English were closest. Because of this fact, and the fact that most English hated Scots, the English had conducted brutal raids into the area around York, depriving them of their food and supplies.

However, when Edmund became lord of York, the English took a more kindly glance to his breakaway empire, as evidenced by the equipment which he and his army received in large shipments from England. With these, even the militarily inexperienced Edmund was able to pose a threat to Edwards armies.

[Dagoth Nerevar]

January 1090

The next battle of the Great War, as the Scots called it, was in a field to the north of York. Edward was attempting to reclaim the city, and again his brother Edmund rode out to oppose him, flying the English flag. Edward's army was composed of veteran troops, hardened from years of fighting rebels in western Ireland. They had been summoned from Dublin, and were marching with Edward to York.

It was a snowy day, although much less so than the first great battle of the civil war, the Battle of Edinburgh.

As the enemy approaches, Edward gives them a stirring speech:

Edmund: Men! We are here today to take back what is rightfully ours. We've held on to York for years, and how do they repay us? Treachery! Rebellion! Revenge, however...our revenge is just on the other side of Edmund the Usurper's army! Edmund the Usurper? Ha! I say he's Edmund the Coward! Now, let's win this fight! Show those false Scots the real power of the Scottish fighting spirit!


As the enemy approaches, the catapults prepare to let loose with fiery fury:


The enemy moves closer, and the catapults open fire upon them. While setting fire to the projectiles may make them more inaccurate, it inspires fear in the enemy, and does much more damage. The concept of a fiery death puts fear into the heart of even the bravest soldier.


The battle rages on, and the enemy's left flank is left wide open due to the cowards to its right, who ran away almost as soon as they engaged our soldiers:


The enemy's line breaks, and our troops rush through the hole to attack Edmund, hoping for his head to display as a trophy on the walls of Edinburgh:


Edmund may have escaped, but we had still won a tremendous victory, showing what true Scottish soldiers can do:


The battle over, Edward's army prepares to meet up with reinforcements and besiege the town of York...

[Dagoth Nerevar]

York-February 1090

A month has passed since the last major engagement of the war. Edward has received reinforcements from Edinburgh, and marches on Edmund's weakened garrison at York.

The day of the battle, a thunderstorm approaches. This is not a good sign, for the only artillery which the Scots possess are four catapults, and the winds and rain could drive off their aim. However, Edward cannot wait. His scouts report that an English army is no more than two days away to break the siege. With this warning, he starts the siege.

Before the battle began, Edward sandwiched the catapults between the two lines of troops:


After the catapults breach the wall, the soldiers advance to form up inside the walls:


The dismounted knights disobey orders and charge headlong into the breach:


Edward orders the cavalry to charge in and support the knights:


Edmund and his bodyguards retreat to the town center:


The church burns from catapult projectiles as the soldiers advance to the town center:


Edmund's bodyguard valiantly allows their leader to retreat safely:


The last of Edmund's English troops make a last stand near the town center, hoping to take as many Scottish with them as they can:


The Siege of York ends with a clear victory for the Scottish troops:


Unfortunately, although his garrison was wiped out, Edmund managed to escape through the back gate of York and retreated to the area around Inverness. Edward's next, and hopefully last, step must be to capture Inverness to deny Edmund of places to hide, and then seize and kill him.
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Damn, that took a long time! I had to move the pictures into another folder on Photobucket, and it only moved two of fifteen, so then I had to upload them AGAIN. God, that was annoying. You better damn well enjoy this!


Next time: Battle for Oslo!

[bomberboy]

Heres a good comment and some constructive criticism.
Comment: Great start to the story the writing and battles were fun.

Criticism: You are being rather unfair to the usurper giving him the rubbish units. And Edward getting the best balance the two so it's more equal.

But enough criticism good start.

[karo]

like the writing and the pics but give the both factions equal unis so it will be fair, like bomberboy said

[Dagoth Nerevar]

True, but this was to simulate his actual rubbish armies. *whisper*Plus I'm not a very good general.*whisper*

But I'll give him some good dismounted knights and stuff once we get into Northern Scotland and Oslo.

[bomberboy]

Great lets see him win some battles.

[Dagoth Nerevar]

Right now I'm practicing my generalship. I'm tired of editing those stupid pictures, so the next update'll be tomorrow.

[Icefrisco]

Those battles sound great! Continue posting them.

[Dagoth Nerevar]

Man, my Medieval 2 copy is screwed up. I reinstalled it to download the DarthMod, and now the audio doesn't work.

Anyways, change of plans. I'm having a LotR geekfest tomorrow--all three extended versions--so the next update will come on...probably Friday.

[normanknight]

Maybe abit more story could be added and of course even it out but other wise its promising

[Dagoth Nerevar]

March 1090


As the midday sun rises overhead, Edward feasts with his generals in Edinburgh. They are discussing what best to do concerning Edmund's multiple strongholds in the area around Inverness when a messenger bursts into the hall.

Messenger: My lord! One of the enemy's armies has assaulted one of our standing forces near Oslo! Our army was beaten, and Edmund's general Phillip advances on Oslo. Scouts report that when they set out, seven days ago, Phillip was no farther away from the city than eight days. What shall we do, my lord?

Edward: It is too late for us to send reinforcements to the garrison at Oslo. They are not the best troops in our army. We shall choose our battles this time, gentlemen, and let Phillip take Oslo.

General Giles (Edward's second in command): My lord! Edmund is eager for revenge after the sack of York! He will surely order Phillip to sack, if not raze, Oslo! We must send reinforcements! Our garrison there will barely put a dent in Phillip's forces.

Edward: That is not an option. Any reinforcements we should send would be too late to help the city. General Caldwell will simply have to attempt to hold the city. If he should fail, then we shall retake the city after we stabilize the situation on the Isle. Am I clear, men?

The generals half-heartedly agreed to this course of action, and settled back into discussions on how best to deal with Edmund's stronger armies in the north.

Meanwhile, Phillip of Inverness prepares to assault Oslo.

General Caldwell prepares his men to meet the enemy.


Phillip of Inverness, vassal of Edmund, and his crack army sent to annihilate Oslo.


Caldwell pulls troops off of the wall to mass in front of the gate and to send some to the town square, foolishly ignoring the enemy's catapults:


The enemy catapults fire on the walls:


The soldiers mass in front of the quickly enlarging crack in the wall:


The Scots refuse to wait for battle and charge out of the breach to meet the enemy head on:


The knights of Scotland meet the Usurper's knights in battle, ready to fight to the death:


General Caldwell lies slain on the field of battle, and his men lose heart:


The Scots flee and seek safety inside the city, forgetting that the walls are breached:


Phillip's army pursues the disheartened Scots into the center of Oslo:


The few surviving Scots are surrounded by the enemy:


The Scots, knowing that they, along with most of the inhabitants of the city, will be killed or sold into slavery, make their last stand in the center of Oslo:


The last of the Scots lie dead, and Phillip begins the sack of the city. Edward's forces in Norway have suffered a crushing blow. They will now have to look to the individual captains for leadership.



As Phillip's forces, along with Edmund and his subjects back in the Highlands, celebrate, an army prepares to march on Inverness from Edinburgh. Edward needs only to distract Edmund from this fact, and he will have practically won the war.

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Next time: The Long Road to Inverness!

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Sorry that took so long. I've had some....personal problems the last couple of days.

[bomberboy]

Now that was better good update.