Matrix Games

Location : British Isles
Opponents : Royalist & Parliament
Scale : 15KM

Description :

THE ENGLISH CIVIL WAR: 1642-1645 Scenario design by Col Wayne Close wayneclose@sbcglobal.net NOTE: Place the folder marked English Civil War 1642 into the Graphics folder for the proper weapons systems. Sources: Soldiers of the English Civil War by Keith Roberts New Model Army 1645-60 by Stuart Asquith Scots Armies of the English Civil Wars by Stuart Reid and Graham Turner The King's War by C.V. Wedgewood Ironsides wargame by 3W Royalist & Roundheads by 3W Date: September 7th, 1642 Location: The British Isles Scale:Full Week Turns, 15 Km per hex Length: 186 Turns UNIT COLORS: ROYALISTS English: Various* on Red Scots: Various* on Dk Red Irish: Black on Green Welsh: Yellow on White PARLIAMENT English: Various* on Blue Welsh: Yellow on Yellow London Trained Bands: Various* on Mdm Blue Scots: Various* on Lt Blue Irish: Yellow on Green * There was no such thing as a standard uniform at this time. Unit colors are as close to actual regimental colors as possible. This means that units will often be different colors than other units in the same formation and sometimes enemy units will be the same color scheme as friendlies. Cooperation and coordination between units in the 17th century was notoriously bad. Also, more then one officer was captured because he thought an enemy unit was his regiment. Special Events: Parliament gains 5 points if Charles is killed and the Prince of Wales becomes sovereign. If the war lasts into 1645, New Model Army units will replace older units. The Scots will remain unactivated unless enemy units move along their border. Periodically the king will negotiate a truce. Also, in December, all units will enter "Winter Quarters" which usuall last until late February. Both results mean a Cease Fire is in place. A good time to rest. The Royalists start with possession of the Newcastle coal mines and will derive income from them quartely unless captured by Parliament. Briefing: Following years of contention between the Crown and Parliament, Kiing Charles I became impatient and attempted to arrest the opposition leaders, known as the Five Members. Parliament resisted this order, forcing the King to flee London. The result was open civil war. The King established bases at York, Shrewsbury, Nottingham and Oxford. Parliament used London as its base, giving them a distinct advantage in income. Both sides fought bravely but neither could make any progress. The turning point came in 1645 when Parliament instituted the New Model Army. This professionally organized force was the first of its kind in British history. Parliamentary victories followed, though the war dragged on for four more years culminating in the trial and execution of the king in January of 1649. In the aftermath of this traumatic event, Oliver Cromwell seized power and appointed himself "Lord High Protector" of all England. The British people had simply traded one master for another. Not long after Cromwell's death, Charles II was invited back to restore the crown to power.