Workbench 2026

As we turn the page on another year of gaming, it's time for my annual look back at what's been happening on the tabletop here at Anglian Wargaming HQ.

Looking Back at 2025

2025 turned out to be a pretty productive year, even if I didn't manage quite as many games as I'd hoped. I wrapped up two campaigns that had been running for a while: the pulp adventure 'Tomb of the Serpent' using Pulp Alley, and 'DNA', a superhero romp played with SuperMission Force.

The real star of the year, though, was Midgard. This sandbox game arrived late in 2024, but didn't make it to my table until March. Since then, it's dominated my gaming time and sparked my largest 28mm painting project in years. I've run several Dark Ages games with these rules now, and I'm currently deep into my first Midgard campaign: Mystic Britain. This pits Arthur's Britain against the Durlingar dwarves and their allies. The campaign should reach its climax early in 2026, though after the evil dwarves' latest victory, the outcome is far from certain!




The other campaign I started in 2025 was 'The Spectacular Adventures of the Leopard', set during the English Civil War in the West Country. This follows Edward Clement and his band of followers as they battle against the Preacher and his Parliamentary Forces. I'm using the ever-versatile Pulp Alley rules for this one, with the campaign plotted using a simple Snakes and Ladders board game.

What's Coming in 2026

I've got two new campaigns lined up for the year ahead.

First up is a 'steampunk' superhero campaign in which the Keepers of the Hidden Ways take on the Charnel Society in their inaugural adventure. I've been having great fun developing this alternative London, complete with a female Sherlock Holmes and her colleagues with their supernatural abilities. This will be a straightforward linear campaign with three or four scenarios making up a 'series'. The aim is to capture the feel of comic books, with new supervillain teams appearing in each chapter.

The second campaign is historical: Edward I's conquest of Wales, based on a Charles Grant 'programmed' reconnaissance campaign. Set in 1277, the English probe the Tywi Valley and meet resistance from the Welsh lords of Deheubarth. Historically, these events were a sideshow to Edward's main invasion in the north and led to the region's submission. I'm planning to use Baron's War 2nd Edition rules, with a spring start once 'Mystic Britain' campaigns wrap up. One thing I've learned is that I can only handle two concurrent campaigns – any more and I lose track of the narratives.

Projects and Ambitions

One disappointment in 2025 was not getting more historical simulations to the table, particularly following the refight of the Battle of Pynda using the Strength and Honour rules. These games need considerable research to do correctly, plus there's often significant modelling and painting involved. I plan to streamline this by focusing on 6mm or 10mm miniatures where my collection is strongest. Cynoscephalae is nearly ready for the table, and this time I'm going to experiment with different ancient rules to see how they handle these battles.

Looking further ahead, I'm working on a crusader army list and rules using the Midgard rules. With luck, I'll have something to share by year's end. I'm also converting my trial WoFun War of the Roses figures into a 10mm army, though I'll squeeze in another quick game as the army comes together.

Two longer-term projects are still in the research phase. The first is a Kiss Me Hardy campaign based on the Jack Aubrey novels, though this depends on the new edition of those rules. The second is a Glorantha project based on the wonderful RuneQuest world. The idea is to follow a small group of characters through roleplaying, skirmish games, and finally as part of a unit in mass combat. Plenty of reading and testing ahead on both fronts!

The Blog and Beyond

The blog is starting to get some decent traffic, but I want to develop it further. I'm currently looking at sharing more scenarios and campaign logs. I also write a bit of background material for my games and would like to share my thoughts on wargaming mechanisms more generally. I'm not convinced the blog is the best format for all this material, so I'm exploring Substack as a way to complement the shorter content here. More on that later.

Here's to another year of dice rolling and tape measures!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Feud III - Treachery at Castle Awre

Two months after the Battle of Didbrook, Gilbert of Claire, revelling in his triumph, persisted in raiding his rival Engelard de Cigogné's territories. The climax of this confrontation emerged in early September, as Gilbert successfully cornered Engelard within the walls of Awre Castle.

Castle Awre's Defensive Dilemma

Facing numerous challenges, the defenders of Awre Castle were at a disadvantage. Dilapidated walls, meagre maintenance, and insufficient supplies marked the castle's ill-prepared state. The only glimmer of hope rested on the unpredictable weather, potentially compelling Gilbert to lift the siege. However, an unexpected Indian summer dashed those hopes, propelling Engelard into a daring raid on Gilbert's camp.

Engelard's Bold Gambit

In a desperate bid to break the siege and humiliate Gilbert, Engelard orchestrated a last-ditch raid on his adversary's camp. The mission was to relieve the siege and set Gilbert's tent ablaze, housing his precious treasury.

The Tactical Dance Unfolds

Engelard and his forces charged forward despite initial hesitation, supported by household sergeants and Welsh mercenaries. Breaking through the camp's outer defences, they encountered resistance from Gilbert's spearmen. A countercharge from Gilbert's sergeants stalled Engelard's advance, buying crucial time for organising the defences.

Gilbert's Tactical Brilliance

In a display of strategic acumen, Gilbert seized the opportunity to attack Engelard's flank, decimating the Welsh mercenaries and exposing the knights to a vulnerable flank.

Shadows of Treachery

As the battle teetered on the brink, whispers of treachery surfaced. Under local levy command, the castle militia refused to support their lord. Speculation arose – had the de Clares bribed them? Though evidence was scarce, the castle castellan, Roger of Trowbridge, retained his position when Engelard de Cigogné was forced to abandon the castle, facing the aftermath of his failed raid.

The Aftermath

Gilbert's humiliation did not go down well with King John, who summoned him to his Christmas Court. A demand that Gilbert de Clare and his allies choose to ignore. Instead, Gilbert strengthened his local position. Abbot Peter was 'removed' from Hailes Abbey, and he thought it advisable to search for his soul by pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Gilbert joined the great revolt against John's rule, and in  1215, Gilbert became one of the council of twenty-five lords and barons who acted as sureties for the Magna Carta. The Charta also felt with Engelard de Cigogné. Clause 50 Engelard de Cigogné was banished from the Kingdom, and his lands were confiscated.  Gilbert's revenge?

Some Thoughts

The campaign was an enjoyable set of three games I played over several months. During this period, the main protagonist began to develop their own characters. Engelard de Cigogné was a man on the make who was sensitive of his own honour. This made him take risks, like demanding a duel with Gilbert, and this hotheaded personality impacted how I played him in the later games. Gilbert was the opposite. Born into one of the great families, he had little to prove, but he, too, was conscious of his family's honour. However, his approach was cool and tactical - a remote personality but tactically acute. One of the great joys of a campaign is how the main protagonists develop in your mind, making solo play easier. 

The Feud - Part 2

This is the second wargame in my ‘Feud’ campaign, between Gilbert de Clare and King John's High Sherriff, Engelard de Cigogné. The first battle report is where Gilbert ambushed Englelard and his local ally Abbot Peter on Evesham Road. I used Lion Rampart, 2nd Edition, for this battle to see how these rules played. Each side had 24 points. As usual, I played this game solo. I used Adjunct Introuvable to generate the deployment and orders for Englelard’s forces. Although Nic Birt designed them with battles in mind, they worked well in this skirmish. Now onto the backstory.

Raiding, Burning and Pillaging

After his successful ambush on Evesham Road, Gilbert de Clare continued his feud with Engelard 

and Abbot Peter, and throughout 1210 both sides raided each other's lands. Winter finally ended the crop burning and pillaging, but in spring, hostilities restarted when Gilbert attacked Abbey’s farmsteads near Didbrook. These attacks finally drew Engelard into a hasty battle in the wooded area south of the village.

Opening Moves.

Engelard adopted a cautious strategy that would allow him maximum flexibility, to entice Gilbert from the high ground before delivering a killer blow with his best men, whom he held in reserve. De Clare saw the ragtag forces arrayed against him from his advantage point on the ridge, the local levy and some monks. He took advantage of the circumstances and ordered a general advance across his battlefront. He kept himself and his knights as a mobile reserve to deliver a killing blow.

Three melees developed. On de Clare's right flank, his sergeant had moved across the wheat field to be met by a hail of arrows from the neighbouring enclosure. In the middle of the battlefield, Gilbert’s foresters moved slowly through Staites Wood to be encountered by the Abbot's men, hoping to use the dense wood to neutralise the enemy’s attack. On the left, Gilbert’s crossbowmen had seized the farm on the eastern end of Staites Wood farm. Where they conducted a historical resistance against Engelard’s spearmen, supported by the local levy, who were trying to turn Gilbert's weaker left flank.

 

De Clare's crossbowmen hold Wood farm against all comers[/caption]

The Battle Heats Up.

Seeing his crossbowman successfully holding the Sheriff's advance, Gilbert committed his mounted sergeant into the fray. They charged the spearman and forced them back without doing much damage. The sergeants' attack was the moment Engelard had anticipated because Clare had over-extended his battle line. Leading his knights, he suddenly appeared before Wood Farm and crashed into de Clare’s mounted sergeants, cutting them to pieces.

Engelard slaughters de Clare sergeants.[/caption]

The Challenge

Witnessing his hated rival's charge, De Clare committed himself and his knights to the fray. Engelard noticing he was now at a disadvantage, challenged de Clare to a due of honourl to improve the odds. Something Gilbert was too shrewd to accept. Thankfully for Gilbert, his men agreed, and the loss of honour had no impact on his men's morale, and fighting continued uninterrupted.
Guilbert‘s knights now engaged Engelard and his close retainers, forcing them to flee the field after several rounds of fierce combat.

 

De Clare charges Engelard's knights after refusing a challenge.[/caption]

All is Lost

Seeing their commander in flight, Englelatd's levy decided to scamper to safety. Gaps appeared throughout Engelard's battleline, with many of the Sheriff’s foot retainers becoming isolated and lacking support, and they began to flee, abandoning their comrades to Gilbert's and his knights.

For the final chapter of the campaign, where Gilbert besieges Engeland' stronghold, press here.

The Feud

This wargame had a long gestation period. It took three Kickstarters plus many hours of painting before I have managed to get Baron’s War to the table. Barons War is a medieval skirmish game set in the thirteenth century.  The game was initially launched on Kickstarter in 2019 with figures for the Barons revolt against King John. Since then, further Kickstaters have followed, including several campaigns. Overall, the game is well supported and has supplements for the late Saxons, Vikings, the Norman Conquest, and the Crusades in Outremer.

A range of figures is also available through Footsore Miniatures. The miniatures paint up well, but like any medieval project takes a while to paint. This is my excuse for taking nearly two years to set up a game. The good news is the game can be played with about 25 figures aside, although a more significant skirmish can be fought as your retinues grow.

Skirmish on the Evesham Road.

Like all my games, there has to be a  strong narrative, so here is the backstory to the game. One aspect of the game I like is the campaign rules allow you, the players, to generate a grievance between the two warring barons and the flashpoint that ignited the armed hostilities. My campaign is set before Magna Carta and is loosely based on the campaign supplement, The Most Ignoble Feud. Therefore, this scenario will be the first of three games in the mini-campaign.  I also plan to use this storyline to test different rules and my ideas. 

Rivals in the West Country

The period witnessed John favouring baron families from outside his English realm. One of these was  Gérard d'Athée, a trusted lieutenant of King John, who had served him in France and later as a High Sheriff in England. Gerald was joined by one of his relatives Engelard, one of the protagonists of our story, whom John had appointed High Sheriff of both Gloucestershire and Herefordshire in 1210. The rapid rise of these men caused resentment amongst the English baronage, including the de Cares, a powerful family. The father, Richard de Clare, was Earl of Hereford and his son, Gilbert, had inherited the earldom of Gloucestershire from his mother. It is Gilbert, the son, who is our other feuding baron.

Monastery at Haines

Engelard's attempt to found a monastery at Hailes, at the centre of the de Clare’s holdings, sparked our fictional feud. Gilbert considered this one transgression too far and decided to ambush Engeland and his monks on the way to Hailes on the Evesham road.

The Ambush

In preparation for his attack, Gilbert had blocked the road with several carts and tree trunks, forcing the battle into the narrow area between the wood to the south and the hills to the north. He hoped his superiority in mounted knights would be most effective in this narrow killing ground. On hearing from his scouts that the road was blocked, Engelard deployed his experienced archers and foot sergeants on either side of the road to try to turn the barricade. His smaller mounted contingent would be used to exploit any weakness.

At first, Engelard's plan bore fruit; his archers, supported by some militant monks, pushed Gilbert's crossbowmen back from the small farm and started to move into the forest. If they could expel the de Clare's crossbowmen, they could be able to shoot onto the flanks of men manning the barricade. Englelard's men had yet to make progress on the road but had pinned down the rest of Gilbert's infantry. At this point, Englelard decided to commit himself and his mount troops to attack the open land between the road and the hilly area. This was the moment Gilbert had been waiting for, and he committed his mounted knight. The knight quickly crushed Engelard's mounted sergeants and attacked Englelard and his knightly bodyguard. Outnumbered and taking casualties, Engelard fled to seek his revenge on another day.

The Rules and the Game

Overall, I liked the rules, and I thought I had a great feel and produced an exciting weekend game. My one criticism is that I found the rules difficult to reference, despite QRS (Quick Reference Sheet), but this is probably true of any new set of rules. I plan to continue Engelard's and Gilbert's feud with a significant battle when Englelard seeks revenge for the dishonour inflicted on the Evesham road. However, the next episode will be played with Lion Rampart rules, so I can compare. 

The Story Continues

The story of Engelard's and Gibert's feud continues here.

Links

Warhost is the home of Baron's Warand includes articles and a retinue builder.

Barons War Facebook Group. A discussion group with many great photos for inspiration, army lists and downloads.

Blood Cries Afar, well research but readable book on the 1st Barons War. Great for inspiration and ideas.