Reconquista Continues...
In 1198 Caliph Ayyub ordered a stone wall to be built around the capital of Cordoba. This would be first well fortified town in the country. This mighty feat would improve not only security but also public order.
Caliph Ayyub was well respected by his subjects, his reforms improved many things starting with security and ending with trade and commerce. Public loved him as he was a very pious person, at the same time certain people were spreading rumors about his connections with the Hashishin cult – could that be true? Was Caliph really surrounding himself with assassins and other shady characters, the time would show.
For now one thing was certain: Caliph’s decisions to fortify the northern provinces were very wise. In 1201 Portuguese fleet have blocked main Moorish port with the entire fleet under major Wadah docked inside and completely unprepared for war.
At the same time big Portuguese armies crossed the eastern border from Murcia castle. Country was once again at war! Army and local militias were mobilized and a big army was dispatched from Granada castle towards Murcia. Maneuver worked just fine, both armies falled back to the castle and prepared for Moorish assault.
Portuguese blockade combined with the costs of mobilization had a very negative effect on the royal coffers. To be more exact the coffers were empty!
Situation became quite dire very quickly as it is commonly known that it is impossible to wage war without the money. Caliph needed a quick victory followed by a cease fire – all of that before the conflict escalates into a long war. One huge massacre could accomplish exactly that, it would scare the Christian leaders enough to sign a cease fire for a few years.
Moorish army was slightly bigger and consisted of well trained swordsman supported by cavalry skirmishers. Portuguese prince Estevao could field slightly smaller army but troops were more experienced and generally better armored.
Portuguese army took a defensive position on the hill and awaited the Moorish assault.
At the same time both armies have sent their skirmishers to harass the enemy.
With both armies heavily relying on cavalry skirmishers the battle became very chaotic.
Both armies broke their formations and cavalry engaged in a major skirmish.
Unfortunately light desert cavalry was not suited for prolonged melee with better armored Jinetes. After short few minutes all regiments of Moorish cavalry were forced to retreat.
After Moorish infantry engaged Portuguese units Prince Estevao ordered a retreat. Desperate to save his life he run away leaving his troops behind.
It wasn’t a major victory by far. Portuguese lost the battle and were forced to withdra to the castle but Moorish army sustained heavy loses.
Situation of Moorish army was desperate, they have laid siege to Murcia castle but their supplies were totally gone. Entire army depended on pillaging the region. This fact had a huge effect on the fighting ability and soldier’s morale.
Moorish army was twice the size of Portuguese but the enemy was well motivated and led by a great general. Moorish general Da’ud had barely any control over his troops – the only thing that made them attack was his promise that after the battle they will be able to loot the town!
Lack of ranged units in Portuguese army has sealed their fate, all of moorish siege towers got to the walls.
When Moorish swordsman got to the wall the slaughter began. All of the defenders were dead in no time.
Moorish spearman moved towards enemy positions. As soon as they entered the narrow streets Portuguese cavalry counter attacked.
Hundreds of cavalrymen charged Moorish spearman.
First assault ended in Portuguese victory, Arab infantry was decimated.
Second assault was repelled Portuguese cavalry was surrounded and slaughtered to the last men. Battle was won, and the castle was in Moorish hands!
Al-Muwahiddun army took some serious loses so it was assigned with garrison duty until reinforcements from Cordoba arrive.
After the victory and conquest of Murcia by general Da’ud Spain joined the war along side of Portugal. With two mighty kingdoms united against Al-Muwahiddun the tide has turned against the Caliphate. Royal treasury was empty, armies were weary due to lacking supplies, ports were blocked, trade was non existant with ports blocked and Christian armies blocking the roads. To make it worse Moorish armies could not stage any further offensive with forces spread thin between four towns.
In year 1206 enemy armies have set up camps in the northern part of Caliphate in the area where borders of all three countries were meeting. It was certain that they were preparing a major offensive. Their target could be only one: Al-Muwahiddun capital of Cordoba. On the way to the capital there was only one wooden castle that could slow down or maybe even stop the attackers.
Following year Spanish army moved south towards the castle of Badajoz. Situation was dire enough for Caliph Ayyub to leave the capital and take over the command of Badajoz garrison.
Both armies were around the same size both with 1500 soldiers, and both had great generals leading them. There was one huge advantage on the Spanish side – heavily armored knights, supported by well armored infantry.
One winter morning enemy sounded the attack, as the visibility was blocked by the fog Caliph ordered his cavalry to scout ahead. Scouts soon came back with exact positions of enemy troops, amount of cavalry and siege equipment. They have also reported taking out enemy catapults before they could get to their position.
Enemy siege tower caught on fire before Spanish soldiers could get to the walls. Unfortunately sneaky enemy was prepared for that and had ladders ready for such a scenario.
When ladders got to the wall Caliph ordered his best swordsman to counter the Spanish spearman. Fighting was long and bloody. It was certain that if the gate is opened enemy knights will make a short work of Al-Muwahiddun defenders.
Caliph Ayyub had one more surprise for the infidels; he hired a regiment of crossbowman to bolster the defense of the castle. For a long time it was known that no Al-Muwahiddun soldier could match Christian knight with their heavy plate armor. Seeing how easily enemy knights fall after each volley of bolts fired from the crossbows Caliph was getting fonder of that weapon each time he looked at enemy ranks.
Crossbows were able to penetrate plate armor even at a distance outmatching composite bows. Mercenaries were very skilled with their weapons and wit ha few volleys they were able to decimate not only Spanish Jinetes or knights but even general’s bodyguards as well.
After they killed enemy general and thus broke enemy morale Caliph Ayyub decided that he will adopt this mighty weapon into his army as soon as he goes back to Cordoba. He already had plans to train masses of peasantry and equip them with that simple weapon to defend the towns from Christian invaders!
The battle was over enemy troops have lifted the siege and withdrew up north. Without their leader or siege equipment they were certain not to come back the same year.
That was the time Caliph needed to travel back to capital and put his plans in motion!
Rise of the Caliphate of Cordoba - Al-Muwahiddun AAR
) so this time we will try to get the campaign all the way to the end! Below are the rules of this campaign:
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