The Battle of Ferrybridge

[The Mad Skylord]

THE BATTLE OF FERRYBRIDGE

March 26th, 1461. After a hard retreat north, the forces of Lancaster are now prepared to turn the tides upon the Yorkist forces. To this end, an army under the command of John Clifford, 9th Baron de Clifford and 9th Baron of Skipton ar stationed at Ferrybridge. Clifford has a sole objective, defend Ferrybridge, the only stone bridge for many miles, and the small crossing at Castleford. The Lancastrian army burned the countryside and the bridges over the River Aire during their retreat north, and while John Clifford fights a holding action at Ferrybridge and Castleford, the Lancastrian forces move into position to fight perhaps the greatest battle of the war so far...

[Barry Goldwater]

OOC: Pre-battle and deployment PMs have been sent to both Lucius and Skylord. There's only one very simple victory condition for this battle - whichever side hits 25% casualties (dead/routing) first, loses.

[Barry Goldwater]

Round 1

The battle of Ferrybridge begins amidst heavy snowfall and strong winds, which blew north and buffeted the Lancastrian forces at the bridge. The Yorkist vanguard under the Earl of Warwick, emerging from the south and west, wasted no time in advancing towards the Lancastrians with the wind blowing at their backs. The heavy snow on the ground, however, had made it difficult for the Yorkists to push as far as they'd have liked, and they ended up having to stop a ways from the stone bridge as a result.

For their part, the Lancastrians at the bridge were directly commanded by Baron de Clifford himself, who explicitly instructed his archers to hold their fire until the Yorkists had come into point-blank range while his heavy infantry were to form a shieldwall on the bridge's eastern end. This they did successfully, huddling together and locking their shields to present a formidable barrier against any oncoming Yorkist advance (roll: 13/20 minimum needed, 12 + Clifford's +3 battles = 15, success).

The Lancastrian detachment in the east began to make it way west, though they were greatly slowed by the snow and harsh winds just as the Yorkists were and even if they weren't, they could not be expected to cover all the ground that Clifford's captain had been pushing them to in one brief round.

As nobody clashed in this round, there are no casualties.

Yorkist deployments & moves

Lancastrian deployments and moves

(black dot marks where the second division had to stop this round, they can't cross all that distance in one round) Deployment Zone 1 - Bridge -- Green Battaile, 2 Yeomen Longbows -- Magenta Battaile, 2 Militia Longbows -- Purple Battaile, 3 Heavy Infantry, commanded by John Clifford Deployment Zone 2 - East -- Yellow Battaile, 2 Militia Longbows -- Pink Battaile, 1 Heavy Infantry

[Barry Goldwater]

Round 2

Initiative: Lancastrian (18 + 3 = 21, beating York's 1 + 2 = 3) Lancastrians therefore move first this round.

Clifford's men at the bridge continue to stand their ground, and do not budge from their positions. His eastern detachment meanwhile also follows its old orders, and continues to progress westward.

The Yorkists continue their progress northward. While their infantry continues their attempt to march to the bridge, elements of their archers are finally nearing position to start loosing arrows at the Lancastrians.

To the north, elements of the Yorkist foot break off to make for the ford upstream. Their movements are concealed from the Lancastrians by the blinding snow (roll: 11 + 2 = 13 vs. a base chance of 10/20, success). The Lancastrians are unaware of these movements, thus far.

There were again no losses this round, as not even the Yorkist archers have entered firing range while the Lancastrians haven't budged from their positions.

Yorkist deployments and moves

The Lancastrians are unaware of the Yorkist light infantry moving northward.

Lancastrian deployments & moves

[Barry Goldwater]

OOC: After consulting with BF & Lucius last night and considering it's taken two rounds just to get anyone's troops into position to do anything, we've decided on the first 'patch' for the battle rules: units will now autocomplete their movements if there's no enemy unit in or moving into their way, to hurry things along.

Round 3

Initiative:
Yorkist Mixed Infantry Battaile: 20 + 2 = 22
Lancastrian (Green) Archer Battaile: 19
Lancastrian (Pink) Infantry Battaile: 18
Lancastrian (Yellow) Archer Battaile: 14
Yorkist Archer Battaile: 13
Lancastrian (Purple) Infantry Battaile: 6 + 3 = 9
Yorkist Light Infantry Battaile: 5
Lancastrian (Magenta) Archer Battaile: 1

The main Yorkist infantry battle moves first and fastest, at long last reaching their end of the bridge where Warwick directs them to form a shieldwall rivaling their Lancastrian counterparts. They manage to do so (roll: 13/20 minimum needed, 13 + Warwick's +2 = 15, success). Having done this, they advance no further for now.

The Lancastrian yeoman archers at the bridge are the next to move. They draw, nock and ultimately loose their arrows, the Yorkist infantry having come close enough that their bodkins could penetrate their armor regardless of the awful weather conditions. As the Yorkists have already formed a shieldwall, their casualties from the first unit of Lancastrian yeoman archers are stinging but could have been worse (roll: d10 = 10 - 5 (Yorkist HI AR = 1 + 4 from shieldwall) = 5 x 9 = 45/3 = -15 men for both Yorkist HI units + 1x Yorkist LI unit). Thus, the first men to fall in this battle are those wearing the White Rose on their chests. The second unit of yeomen's arrows completely fail to make an impact, skidding across the Yorkists' armor or burying themselves harmlessly in their shields (roll: d10 = 4 - 5 (Yorkist HI AR = 1 + 4 from shieldwall) = -1, critical failure).

The Lancastrian infantry & archers bringing up the rear have completed their long march into position, unhindered thanks to the total lack of Yorkist troops on their side of the river.

The Yorkist archers, having gotten into position, now take the chance to let their own bows sing. The first batch of militia longbowmen on the Yorkist side are the first to loose, with their arrows propelled by the wind, and inflict mild casualties among the Lancastrian shieldwall and militia archers (roll: d10 = 7 - 5 (Lancastrian HI AR = 1 + 4 from shieldwall) = 2 x 7 = 14/3 = -5 men for 2x Lancastrian HI units, -4 for 1x Lancastrian ML unit). The second unit of Yorkist militia archers located a little further south, now targeting their Lancastrian counterparts, fire next, and carried by the winds into the non-shielded ranks of the archers as well as the less protected rear of one unit of heavy infantry, their arrows prove a lot more devastating (roll: d10 = 9 x 7 = 63/3 = -21 men for 2x Lancastrian ML units and 1x HI unit). Next came the southernmost Yorkist yeoman archers, who loosed their arrows into the Lancastrian shieldwall to little effect (roll: d10 = 6 - 5 (Lancastrian HI AR = 1 + 4 from shieldwall) = 1 x 8 = 8/3 = -4 men for both Lancastrian HI units, -1 for 1x Lancastrian YL unit). Finally, the northernmost unit of Yorkist yeomen fired directly at their Lancastrian counterparts, and prove more effective (roll: d10 = 7 x 4 = 28/3 = -10 men for both Lancastrian YL units, -8 for 1x HI unit).

The Lancastrian infantry at the bridge under Clifford's direction continues to sit tight.

Far to the north, the Yorkist light footmen finally cross the ford and makes their way on to the Lancastrian side of the river.

The Lancastrian militia archers at the bridge are the last to move this round. Their arrows are directed at the Yorkist shieldwall as well: the first unit of militia archers fail to make any headway, their arrows hopelessly being thrown off their mark by the strong wind or cracking against Yorkist shields (roll: d10 = 4 - 5 (Yorkist HI AR = 1 + 4 from shieldwall) = -1, critical failure). The second unit of militia archers do even worse (roll: d10 = 2 - 5 (Yorkist HI AR = 1 + 4 from shieldwall) = -3, critical failure).

Casualties

Yorkist: 30 heavy footmen 15 light footmen Lancastrian: 47 heavy footmen 46 militia longbows 21 yeoman longbows First to 750 casualties (25% of 3k) loses

At BF's advice and since both sides have inflicted some losses on each other, I'll be hiding maps from now until the end of the battle.

[Barry Goldwater]

OOC: Another patch (though to BF this was a clarification ) - shieldwalls will not offer any bonus to resisting arrow fire, to prevent crazy critical failures like the three we saw on Skylord's side last round.

Round 4

Initiative:
Lancastrian (Pink) IB: 20
Yorkist AB: 19
Lancastrian (Magenta) AB: 14
Yorkist Mixed IB: 9 + 2 = 11
Lancastrian (Green) AB: 9
Lancastrian (Purple) IB: 3 + 3 = 6
Yorkist LIB: 4
Lancastrian (Yellow) AB: 1

The Lancastrian infantry in their second division hung back for the time being, reserving their strength and remaining alert for any enemy attack.

The Yorkist archers fire off a second volley of arrows, this time concentrating on the Lancastrian units on the flanks. The southernmost militia longbows fire first again: the first and further south of the two units aimed at the Lancastrian archers on the flanks, and it is quite the blistering hail of arrows (roll: d10 = 6 x 8 = 48/3 = -16 for 2x Lancastrian ML & 1x Lancastrian HI). The second unit, a little further north, fires at the flank of the Lancastrian shieldwall, but it's a lot less effective (roll: d10 = 3 - 1 = 2 x 5 = 10/3 = -3 for 2x Lancastrian HI, -4 for 1x Lancastrian ML). The centermost longbowmen, now in range, also add their fire into the Lancastrian shieldwall (roll: d10 = 10 - 1 = 9 x 4 = 36/3 = -12 for 3x Lancastrian HI). Next came the yeoman archers' turn. The first of the two inflicted very modest losses (roll: d10 = 7 - 1 = 6 x 3 = 18/3 = -6 for 2x Lancastrian HI & 1x Lancastrian YL), the second did much the same (roll: d10 = 4 - 1 = 3 x 4 = 12/3 = -4 for 2x Lancastrian HI & 1x Lancastrian YL).

Now it was the Lancastrian archers' turn to return fire. The militia longbowmen on their side fired, not at the Yorkist heavy foot, but at the more vulnerable archers and light infantry. The first of the two units, positioned further south, did substantial damage to their counterparts (roll: d10 = 4 x 6 = 24/3 = -8 for 2x Yorkist ML & 1x Yorkist LI), while the second inflicted barely any damage on their targets among the Yorkist light foot (roll: d10 = 1 x 2 = 2/3 = impossible to divide, default -2 for 1x Yorkist LI).

The main Yorkist infantry battle moved next, and they crossed the bridge to attack the Lancastrian shield-wall head on. This they did, moving in order across the bridge with the heavy infantry in front (roll: d20 for complex order = 16 + Warwick's +2 = 18, beating 10/20 chance). As the bridge is narrow enough only for two units to fight at a time, those two units of Yorkist heavy foot clashed with the enemy first. The first clash between the two shieldwalls ended in a Lancastrian victory, as they battered the Yorkists roundly (L: d10 = 8 + Clifford's + 3 + shieldwall's +4 = 15 vs. Y: 2 + Warwick's +2 + shieldwall's +4 = 8, Y casualties: 7x7x2 = 98 HI, L: [7x7x2]/3 = 32 HI). The second clash on the southern end of the bridge went better for the Yorkists, who thrashed the Lancastrians just as hard (L: d10 = 3 + 7 = 10 vs. Y: 10 + 6 = 16, L casualties: 6x9x2 = 108 HI, Y: [6x9x2]/3 = 36 HI). Despite sustaining grave losses, the Lancastrians to the south were able to rally thanks to Clifford's leadership, while the northern Yorkists too rallied under Warwick despite having taken the worst of their fight against the Lancastrians (L morale save vs 8/20: d10 = 6 + 3 +1 = 10, Y morale save vs 5/20: d10 = 5 + 2 +1 = 8).

The Lancastrian yeoman archers moved next, and again targeted the softer elements of the Yorkist army. The first yeoman archers inflicted modest losses on the packed Yorkist troops on or near the bridge (roll: d10 = 9 x 7 = 27/3 = -9 for 1x Yorkist LI, 1x HI, 1x ML). The second inflicted similar amounts of casualties (roll: d10 = 3 x 8 = 24/3 = -8 for 1x Yorkist LI, 1x HI, 1x ML).

The Lancastrian infantry at the bridge attempt to curve their line's flanks slightly to reduce damage from arrow fire, but otherwise hold their ground.

The Yorkist light infantry battle from the north races down south to engage the Lancastrian yeoman archers. Hidden by the snow, the first unit of Yorkist light foot managed to get the jump on the Lancastrian yeomen and inflict substantial losses (roll: Y: d10 = 10 vs. L: d10 = 6 + 1 = 7, L casualties: 3x10x2 = 60 YL, Y casualties: [3x10x2]/3 = 20 LI). The second Yorkist unit maneuvered to attack the right flank of that same unit of yeoman archers, and this clash went poorly for the yeomen as well (roll: Y: d10 = 7, L: d10 = 3 + 1 = 4 - 2 (flanked) = 2, L casualties: 5x4x2 = 40 YL, Y casualties: [5x4x2]/3 = 13 LI). This last defeat was too much for the Lancastrian yeomen, who cracked and began to flee...(L morale save vs 5/20: 4, fail).

The Lancastrian militia archers of the second division fire into the Yorkist ranks on and near the bridge, again hoping to strike the less-protected of the Yorkists. In this they achieve modest success (roll: d10 = 5 x 6 = 30/3 = -10 for 2x Yorkist ML & 1x Yorkist LI).

Casualties

Yorkist: 60 light footmen 151 heavy footmen 53 militia longbows Lancastrian: 212 heavy footmen 36 militia longbows 110 yeoman longbows 1x yeoman longbows (190 men) routing Total losses thus far: Yorkist: 309 men Lancastrian: 662 men (incl. 190 routing) First to 750 casualties (25% of 3k) loses

[Barry Goldwater]

Round 5

Initiative rolls:
Yorkist AB: 19
Lancastrian (Purple) IB: 12 +3 = 15
Yorkist Mixed IB: 10 + 2 = 12
Lancastrian (Pink) IB: 11
Yorkist LIB: 8
Lancastrian (Green) AB: 7
Lancastrian (Yellow) AB: 3
Lancastrian (Magenta) AB: 2

In what must surely have been the last round of this small but surprisingly ferocious skirmish, both the Yorkists and the Lancastrians committed their all into a pair of vicious melees: one at the bridge, and one to the north.

The Yorkist archers kicked off the round with another hail of arrows, concentrating on the flanks of the Lancastrian infantry at the bridge. As usual, moving from south to north, the militia longbowmen fired first (d10 = 9 - 1 = 8 x 6 = 48/3 = -16 for 2x Lancastrian HI, 1x Lancastrian ML). Then the second unit of militia archers immediately north of them followed with rather less effective fire (d10 = 3 - 1 = 2 x 2 = 4/3 = impossible to divide in three, split -2 for 2x Lancastrian HI), and finally the third unit of militia archers who had gathered at the very entrance of the bridge fired their own volley to modest effect (d10 = 6 - 1 = 5 x 4 = 20/3 = -7 for 2x Lancastrian HI, - 6 for 1x Lancastrian HI). Next the yeomen opened fire, starting with the southernmost unit closest to the bridge which loosed an absolutely devastating volley (d10 = 8 - 1 = 7 x 10 = 70/3 = -23 for 2x Lancastrian HI, -24 for 1x Lancastrian HI). The last unit of yeomen fired afterwards, and only stung the Lancastrians a little less (d10 = 10 - 1 = 9 x 6 = -18 for 2x Lancastrian HI, 1x Lancastrian YL). The southernmost infantry unit in Clifford's battle, having lost more than half its men from its poorly-fated clash with the Yorkists last round and now from taking so much withering fire (125/300 remaining), broke and began to run (d20 morale save vs. 10/20 chances: 1 + 3 = 4, failure).

Disregarding their comrades' abandonment of the battlefield, what was left of the Lancastrian shieldwall was ordered forward by Clifford in a desperate attempt to salvage the situation (roll for complex action: d20 = 12 + 3 = 15, success). They clashed vigorously with the Yorkists, with the fleeing unit replaced by Clifford's third troop of heavy footmen who could not enter the battle earlier due to there not being enough space on the bridge. The northern infantry unit's fight again went well for it, though not as well as the previous round (L: d10 = 3 + 7 = 10 vs. Y: d10 = 6 + 2 = 8, Y casualties: 2x4x2 = 16 HI, L casualties: [2x4x2]/3 = 4 HI). The southern infantry clash went worse for the Lancastrians, as the Yorkist shieldwall there put up enough of a fight to keep them from advancing at all (L: d10 = 3 + 7 = 10 vs. Y: d10 = 10 + 6, L casualties: 6x8x2 = 96 HI, Y casualties: [6x8x2]/3 = 32 HI).

The Lancastrian reserve infantry advanced now, moving to assail the Yorkists who were attempting to continue burying themselves into the Red Rose's northern flank. They met the easternmost of the Yorkist light infantry head-on, but the heavy snow and strong winds made fighting more difficult for the heavily armored Lancastrians than the lighter Yorkist footmen. The difficult conditions of the battlefield & the heavy armor of the Lancastrian infantry here compared to the Yorkists' lighter weaponry ensured that casualties here remained extremely low, however (L: d10 = 8 + 1 = 9 vs. Y: d10 = 10, L casualties: 1x2x2 = 4 HI, Y casualties: [1x2x2]/3 = impossible to divide by three, reduced to 2 LI).

The Yorkist light infantry meanwhile continued their advance, trying to press into the Lancastrian archers. The first unit of Yorkist light foot found these better-prepared yeomen to be a much tougher match than the last unit of Lancastrian archers they dispatched in the previous round, however (Y: d10 = 2 vs. L: d10 = 7 + 1 = 8, Y casualties: 6x4x2 = 48 LI, L casualties: [6x4x2]/3 = 16 YL). Though stunned by the stiffness of these yeomen's resistance, the Yorkists did not falter too badly and remained on the field (d20 morale save roll vs. 5/20 odds: 7, success). The other Yorkist unit advanced, disregarding the Lancastrian infantry reserve on their flank and plunging into the flank of the second Lancastrian yeoman unit as they did with the first (Y: d10 = 10 vs. L: d10 = 5 - 1 (+1 from melee stat, -2 from being flanked) = 4, L casualties: 4x4x2 = 24 YL, Y casualties: [4x4x2]/3 = 8 LI). Despite the nasty surprise, the Lancastrian yeomen did not bolt from the field like their comrades had done before (d20 morale save vs. 5/20 odds: 10 + 1 = 11, success).

Finally, the various Lancastrian archers around the field moved into action. First, their remaining yeoman archers turned to fight the Yorkist light foot in melee, which went well for them (L: d10 = 3 + 1 = 4 vs. Y: d10 = 1, Y casualties: 3x4x2 = 24 LI, L: casualties: [3x4x2]/3 = 8 YL).

Second, the Lancastrian militia archers in the reserve fired on the Yorkist light infantry. Battered by the snow and winds however, the first unit of archers' fire proves only modestly effective (d10 x d10 = 2 x 7 = 14/3, cannot be divided in three, halved to -7 for both Yorkist light LI). The second unit proved more successful (d10 x d10 = 7 x 3 = 21/3, divided into -14 for 1x Yorkist LI and -7 for the other since there are only two targets).

Finally, the Lancastrian militia archers far to the south loosed their arrows at the Yorkists on and around the bridge. One unit targeted the infantry on the bridge and inflicted a significant number of losses on the Yorkist foot, which was all bunched up on said bridge (d10 = 8 - 1 = 7 x 9 = 63/3 = -21 for 2x Yorkist HI and 1x Yorkist LI). The second unit fired on the Yorkist militia archers at and south of the bridge's entrance (d10 = 9 x 4 = 36/3 = -12 for 3x Yorkist ML). The northernmost unit of Yorkist heavy foot on the bridge, having gone just under half their original strength (149/300 men left), found their resolve shaken but were successfully rallied by Warwick (morale save vs. 10/20 odds: d10 = 9 + 2 = 11, successful).

Clifford himself sought Warwick out for single combat, but could not reach him: Warwick had been directing his troops from the safety of the army's rear, nestled among his archers at the entrance to the bridge on his side of the river, while Clifford found his way blocked by the Yorkist troops contesting his end of the bridge. As the Lancastrians had lost a quarter of their fighting strength, morale and discipline began to waver across the ranks, and soon the soldiers with red roses on their chests began to fall back in direct defiance of their officers' attempts to restore order & push them back onto the field. Even Clifford's retainers saw the day was lost, and were either courageous enough or sufficiently fearful of the Yorkists to inform him of this fact to his face. The Battle of Ferrybridge was over, the White Rose had won the day.

Casualties

Yorkist: 72 heavy footmen 138 light footmen 36 militia archers Lancastrian: 266 heavy footmen 66 yeoman archers 16 militia archers 125 (1x) heavy footmen routing Total losses so far: Yorkist: 555 men Lancastrian: 1135 men (incl. 315 routing) Lancaster has exceeded 25% losses (750 men), loses.

[Lucius Malfoy]

As much as Warwick wanted to command his troops from the frontlines, he knew that he needed to keep himself seen, wielding a commander's authority over his loyal troops to ensure they fought hard and bravely for their King, Edward of March. Yet as the battle swayed into his favor, his eyes caught the sight of Baron Clifford, who rushed forth, battling his way like a desperate dog. As the Yorkists pushed them back, slowly the visor of Warwick goes up, allowing John Clifford to see the grin upon the Earl's face. The Yorkist soldiers surged forth, pushing back the Baron and his men. Victory was his and belonged the Yorkists as Lancastrian soldiers routed and fled the field. It was a minor skirmish, but a victory nonetheless. Warwick's soldiers cheered as the Earl took a banner of the White Rose and planted it on the Lancastrian side of river, amid arrows and corpses.

Just as this was performed, a horn blared from behind him. Warwick turns to see the main Yorkist army approaching from the south. Just in time as the bridge was finally secured for their march northward. The Earl turns to his men, ordering that the corpses be searched for any valuables, the wounded be tended to and the dead be moved out of the way. With those orders given, Neville mounts his horse and rides off to meet with the approaching main army.

[The Mad Skylord]

Baron de Clifford returned the grin of Warwick with a justified sneer. "The fool thought he had won", the Baron thought cruelly, "let us see the results of your victory when we reach Towton!"

As the last of his men began their retreat, Clifford mounted his horse quietly and began the retreat. There would be no sleep for the Lancastrians this night. They needed to make their way back to the main camp as quickly as possible. With the loss of his men flitting bitterly around his mind, he cast a glance back at the White Rose cruelly one last time, and turned his horse, moving back north.

[Gandalfus]

Fauconberg arrived soon after the victory, heading the cavalry detachment that formed the vanguard of the approaching force. Seeing that his nephew had won the bridge produced a satisfied grin on his face, and he cantered up towards Warwick alongside his most prominent retainers; among them was the bastard of Fauconberg.

"Well won, Richard. I see you sent Clifford running." The older Neville greeted, glancing over the fields to the fleeing Lancastrian banners. "A shame I was not here to revel in that murderer's defeat."

[Blastoise Groudon]

The King has arrived on the scene with the Baron Hastings who joined him in the ride out soon after the victory. They both catch up to the Lords at the head of the army.


"Congratulations on your marvelous victory!" shouts Baron Hastings

"Gentlemen, I seconded that from Baron Hastings. We have won a great victory here. I am very impressed. The next stop is Towton, may God bless our army and grant us a decisive blow there against our vile foes". The King grins after that. Is he nervous? Yes, but nothing in war is certain and he is just happy the army fought well.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Baron Clifford got away however. He tried to go after me through the thicket of my soldier's spears and swords. He will surely try to aim for my head once more.

Warwick looks back at the bridge, noticing the majority of the soldiers moving northward towards York while the rest fled in all other directions.

The main army must be nearby, only reason why they would deploy soldiers here to block our advance across Ferrybridge.

Neville sees Edward and Hastings approach. He bows to the Duke of York, his King.

I thank, Your Grace, for your words. I am fortunate to have secured the bridge for our army's march North.

[Blastoise Groudon]

Baron Clifford got away however. He tried to go after me through the thicket of my soldier's spears and swords. He will surely try to aim for my head once more.

Warwick looks back at the bridge, noticing the majority of the soldiers moving northward towards York while the rest fled in all other directions.

The main army must be nearby, only reason why they would deploy soldiers here to block our advance across Ferrybridge.

Baron Hasting smirks, then draws his sword. Not unless I kill him first Warwick. It will be a pleasure joining the fight.


The King looks at Hastings "Soon, you will have the chance Baron Hastings". "My dear Warwick, I am happy you're alive. Yes, they must be near us. How are your men? Are they ready for a pitched battle?" "And hello Lord Fauconberg. I am glad to see you are well, you as well Neville".

"We must draw them off the high ground if possible. If not, is there anyway we can try to hit them with a flanking attack?"

[Gandalfus]

"Likely they have found the best ground available to them. It will be tough to assail any high ground in this snow." It was cold, despite the encroaching spring. Snow still blanketed the grass, slowing the progress of any advance, and sight was hindered by fog and storm.

[Lucius Malfoy]

If I remember the area correctly, there will be hills that stunt the advancement of cavalry, yet our right flank will a wide open area of hills and fields.

Warwick pulls on the reins of his horse slightly to put the steed into a stationary posture.

They have surely been here ahead of us... they will be prepared, Your Grace. Everything will depend upon the aim of our archers, the bravery of our men, the strength of our arms and the weather tomorrow. I was fortunate that the heavy snow concealed my surprise units. Otherwise, it would been a bloody encounter.

[Barry Goldwater]

The brothers Kyriell are present with the main Yorkist army under Edward of March's command, both attired in their full armor and riding atop their battle-hardened horses among the other knights: a palomino courser for Edmund, and a dark bay palfrey for Roger. Edmund just glances disdainfully at the Lancastrian dead strewn around the field, displeased at the thought that he missed the battle. He mutters to Roger, "A shame we weren't here for the fight, brother. We could have soaked our weapons in the blood of the usurper's men, see if it's as red as the roses they love to wear."

Roger just grunts in response. He was not as bloodthirsty as his older brother, and had nothing to say about this slaughter at all. It was bloody work, to be sure, but from what he could see, what happened here appeared to have been a skirmish entirely contained to the bridge. The true battle to the north would likely be much larger in scale, and a real challenge for them.

[Jokern]

John de Mowbray, the Earl of Surrey, scanned the battlefield along with his fellow lords. He had been denied his chance for glory in the end, but he would not let this chance fall from his grasp. Finally, a battle worthy of the chronicles may be upon them, and Surrey would waste no time in proving his worth. Especially when his father was away from the king's side. The young earl turned to his fellow lords.

"I do not fear an army led by a madman, a French woman and her paramour. If they have prepared their defenses, we shall simply smash through them. Besides, once my father returns with more men, Lancaster's days are numbered. However, I think we will finish crushing our armies before he even hears the fighting."

[Mary The Quene]

William Herbert, lord of Raglan, arrived as one of the last among the Yorkist noble's. Ferrysbridge was only a small skirmish but Towton was the Grand finale to come, he would seize any opportunity to get him a good position for the battle. William spitted at the corpse of a Lancastrian soldier.

Victory, but we must not go overconfident my noble lords, what is to come is much larger and the enemy is well fortified. Overconfidence will only lead to defeat despite who commands them Lord Mowbray.

If we are to win Towton then we must lure out our enemies and bring them to us, breaking their formations.

[Jokern]

Surrey sneered at Lord Raglan's words.

"Overconfidence is at least better than having no courage at all, Lord Raglan. My men will break throught their formation with a storm of steel that rages through their ranks. We'll seize the day and put our enemies' heads on spikes."

[Mary The Quene]

Lord Herbert Frowned

Did you just accuse me of no courage?, i swear i do not tolerate these words from you. You wanna charge them mindlessly while they have the upper ground?, by the time you reach them their archers will have killed half of your men.

Lord Herbert looked to the king and the other noble's assembled

What do you say about the matter?