Vikings! 27th November 2016

Play begins in 871 CE with the Great Heathen Army "of ill repute " poised to complete its subjugation of the English kingdoms and strike at the last independent one - Wessex. The heathens are led by the legendary king Halfdan Ragnarsson (son of the even more legendary Ragnar) and the less legendary king Bagsecg. Depending on how the game unfolds, they may be joined or replaced by the totally legendary Ubba Ragnarsson and/or the comparatively unlegendary and wholly historical Guthrum. The Christians are led by Aethelred and his brother Alfred (star of an early, failed, pilot for the GBBO).
Participants will take the roles of kings, jarls, ealdorman and thegns and command units ranging in size from war bands to armies.The Danes will seek not only to accumulate portable wealth and enhance personal reputation in the traditional 'Viking' manner, but also to subvert or conquer Wessex. Their main concerns will probably be around resupply and reinforcement and the cohesion of the host. Their advantages lie in their martial prowess and their mastery of the strategic feint, coordinated operations and political subversion.
In their defence of Wessex, while the Saxons will be less concerned with supply issues, they will have to interpret and evaluate Danish incursions and the summoning of the Great Fyrd (the national militia) will be critical. If called precipitately, problems of retention and economic collapse may result, while too late may leave Wessex effectively defenceless.
Ealdormen and thegns may well be torn between defending their shires and answering the royal summons while the morale of the ceorls will decline the further they are from their farms. The demands of the harvest will also have an impact on recruitment and retention.
Hopefully, the game will reflect that for the 9th century noble the security and prospects of his family and his own wealth and reputation tended to trump ethnic and national interests. Truces sealed by tribute may well feature and the wealth of the king is likely to influence the game in no small degree.
More to follow.
Regards Steve P
(Green Midget Cafe, Bromley)

https://doodle.com/poll/ikgd7h9h5psb8f39

Sounds excellent, o Theign of Bromley.

Martin (J)

Our next face to face k/spiel is on Sun 27th November at our usual venue in Little Gaddesden. The game will be followed by our club AGM.

This game is on a Viking campaign in England in the 9th Century, and there is a choice of English, Viking or umpire roles available. We currently have 8 players registered but there is certainly room for more. Please use the doodle to register your interest and preferred role http://doodle.com/poll/ikgd7h9h5psb8f39

Martin (J)

Our next game features the ‘heathen’ Viking invaders fighting Wessex and other Saxon elements in the mid 9th C.  It looks as if there will be a good turn-out for this one, but Steve advises we can still a fit a few more in.  Please complete the doodle poll if you’re interested.  You can also express any preferences in terms of role eg Saxon, Viking, umpire.

https://doodle.com/poll/ikgd7h9h5psb8f39

The game will be followed by our club annual general meeting.  The club Treasurer will give a brief financial report, and this will be followed by the election/re-election of club officials (chair/secretary/treasurer).  I can confirm that all candidates so far notified are under investigation by the FBI.  Laura Kuenssberg and a team from the BBC will be on-hand to provide analysis of the result.

Kind regards

Martin