The Provençal Campaign, 1421-1422 AD

**Dirty Chai** · December 04, 2012, 06:17 PM

The Provençal Campaign
1421-1422 AD

VS

**Dirty Chai** · December 06, 2012, 01:21 AM

Luckily for Charles, the other counts and barons of Normandy were willing to follow their de facto leader into Provence, on account of supposed Neapolitan treachery, rather than return home.

Now, in contrast as to how he slowly and intentionally led the Norman League south from Anjou in a disorganized and nearly destructive manner, he now led the remnants of the League forces across the Rhone river in a night crossing.

He had moved fast, departing from Carcassonne with haste and sweeping up the Languedoc coatline and to Montpelier.
Earlier this day, he had moved his men across the Gard, and had them camp in a valley behind a hill, hidden from alert.

And now, under the cover of dark, the night without a moon, he led them across the Rhone, just a bit south of Avignon.

He was moving as fast he could and with as much stealth as possible, attempting to blitz into Provence and take as much as he could before Neapolitan relief could arrive.

Forces of Charles d'Anjou 875 Angevin Forces
600 Contentin Forces
525 Eudois Forces

2000

+

6 Bombards
4 Culverins

He aims to wheel his men around and take Avignon and all of Venaissin with it, this very night, and then move on to Aix-en-Provence as soon as able.

**Gandalfus** · December 10, 2012, 01:11 AM

The sleepy town of Avignon lay largely undefended that night, with the majority of the supposed "garrison" drinking and whoring their time away in the cities underbelly. On the well kept walls hung the banner of the pope, as this was the Papal Stronghold in France. It was inadvisable to take the city at the present, due to encouraging the ire of the pope. However, it was a prize worthy of any king, as the immense papal palace that stood in the city centre was magnificent; with huge fortifications and defences, it stood as an imposing fortress in the north of the city.

**Dirty Chai** · December 12, 2012, 01:05 AM

OOC:
(1) I forgot the Pope directly controlled it still.
(2) Do I even have enough men to take it?
(3) I believe the Pope only actually owns Avignon itself,
So perhaps I can take the castle/forts or whatever around it?
(4) I can also go to Orange north of Avignon or to Arles to its south.

**Gandalfus** · December 12, 2012, 01:12 AM

The sleepy town of Avignon

You can take the land around it if you so wish. You can go anywhere you like.

Of course you have enough men to take it should you so choose.

**Dirty Chai** · December 12, 2012, 01:14 AM

What's the likelihood of excommunication, and would this really help in taking over Provence other than having a foothold?

**Gandalfus** · December 12, 2012, 01:15 AM

It wouldn't help in the long run, but it;s a worthy prize and would likely net you some cash. Also, seeing as your banners are similar to the king of Naples', and it's night... whatever, it's up to you.

**Dirty Chai** · December 12, 2012, 01:18 AM

Alright, I'm taking the bait.

Charles knew the city was Papal, but it was Provencal nonetheless, and other thoughts convinced him it was a worthy target. The night could confuse banners sometimes.

The cannons opened the battle, the blasts aimed at the walls, while the 2000 soldiers formed up along the town's western defences.

Roll?

**Gandalfus** · December 12, 2012, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Garland

Alright, I'm taking the bait.

Charles knew the city was Papal, but it was Provencal nonetheless, and other thoughts convinced him it was a worthy target. The night could confuse banners sometimes.

The cannons opened the battle, the blasts aimed at the walls, while the 2000 soldiers formed up along the town's western defences.

Roll?

Results:
Angevin Victory:

Angevin Casualties: 50/2000

Papal Casualties: 500/500

Banners Recognized? No.

Banners Mistaken? Yes (Mistaken for Neapolitan)

The Cannon opened a gaping hole in the walls all around the city, allowing Charles' forces to pour through. The town guard standing in the way were cut down, and Charles men fought their way deeper into the city.

OOC: We can RP from here.

**Dirty Chai** · December 13, 2012, 04:32 PM

Each contingent, from Rouen, Contentin, and Eu, all entered the city into one of the three breeches,
charging in at full strength and with haste.

Overrunning the resistance there, Charles ordered them to continue on through the city and overtake the palace.
"À la victoire! À la victoire!"

Avignon's forces were spread out along the town's gatehouses and walls, and only managed to form a worthy resistance at one point late in the battle,
but were cut down, most of their number already annihilated.

OOC: On to Arles and then Aix-en-Provence?

**Gandalfus** · December 12, 2012, 01:24 AM

Cannot do it now, will most likely do it later.

**Gandalfus** · December 14, 2012, 01:28 AM

Over 200 florins are looted from the Papal city by the soldiers, with 30 finding their way to the Lord's treasury.

OOC: aye.

**Gandalfus** · December 19, 2012, 12:42 AM

:

**Dirty Chai** · December 20, 2012, 06:22 PM

Sorry.

The army rests for only a while, and turns south towards Arles, back down the Rhone, trying to keep the blitzkrieg's momentum to pace.

Forces of Charles d'Anjou 850 Angevin Forces
600 Contentin Forces
500 Eudois Forces

1950

+

6 Bombards
4 Culverins

**Gandalfus** · December 21, 2012, 12:45 AM

The old roman city lies on the horizon, surrounded by clusters of smaller towns and villages. They seem to be relatively undefended, with the majority of them being un-walled. Arles itself, however, looks to be quite well manned.

**Dirty Chai** · December 21, 2012, 01:06 AM

Small chevauchee's are sent out to raid the villages and draw out the garrison.

**Gandalfus** · December 21, 2012, 01:10 AM

They are largely successful, pillaging many outlying villages. A small group of local militants (100) arrive to fend them off, but they are crushed. The garrison seems to be preparing itself to attack.

**Dirty Chai** · December 21, 2012, 01:25 AM

The 6 bombards begin to fire at the city from Charles' position, and the chevauchees begin to retreat in anticipation of the sally.

**Gandalfus** · December 22, 2012, 02:55 AM

900 men emerge out of the cities gates, forming up and approaching the Angevin lines as quickly as possible.

**Dirty Chai** · December 23, 2012, 03:05 AM

Around half of the retreating chevauchees enter the woodlands to the north and south of the battlefield in loose formation, while the other half returns to the Angevin position.
Small makeshift redoubts have been made for the culverins, with the bombards sitting in between each redoubt.
The bombards fire randomly and generally at the field between the Angevins and the city, while the culverins are more accurately aimed at the sallying troops.

Men at arms, crossbowmen, and levymen alike form up in a thick infantry formation along the slopes of the redoubts and in front of them. Most knights dismount (except for those in the woods).