OK, this one is for Panzerde:
On this date in 1651 the battle Worcester took place. This was the last battle of the English Civil war in which Oliver Cromwell, leading his New Model Army, defeats the mainly Scottish forces of the Royalist army.
Source:
British Library's flickr accountFrom what I can tell, Cromwell set a trap for Charles II and Charles obligingly took the bait, hook, line and sinker. The mainly Scottish forces of the Royalist army were out numbered about 2 to 1 by Cromwell's New Model Army. The Scots fought hard and lost. Charles II fled the field and was on the lamb for about six weeks trying to make his way back to France. His escape became known as the Royal Miracle due to the number of times he was almost caught, yet eluded capture. I'm not sure how much of the stories are true and how much are exaggerated into legend. Either way, it makes for an interesting story.
While researching this I found two interesting related pieces of information. They are:
A blog entry by the
Worcester Cathedral Library and Archive about Royalist surgeon Richard Wiseman and his book
Severall Chirurgicall Treatises. It is a quick read and provides interesting examples of what it was like to be a doctor during this time period. Many of the wounds are treated with egg whites and vinegar.
The second interesting piece of info is, this is also the day Oliver Cromwell dies in 1658, seven years after the end of the English Civil war.
Here are the wargames I found associated with this battle:
Ironsides: Preston 1648 Worcester 1651This game has two battles in it, Breston and Worcester. I have never played it, so no idea if it is good or not.
Horse & Matchlock: Prelude to an EraThere are 22 scenarios in this game with the battle of Worcester being one of them. I don't have this game, (yet!), so I can't comment on it. If you listen to the ACD podcast you might have heard Panzerde discuss it. It sounds very good and I'm curious to see how it handles the battle of Worcester.
Does anyone else have recommended games either about this battle or time period?