Sometime early 5th century (just after breakfast !).
In the early days of the Saxon expansion into the remains of Romano Britain. Their routes of raiding followed the old pathways (such as Pedlars Way down from the East Coast) and the natural fords across the rivers.
One such barrier could have been the River Ouse and its tributaries such as the River Ivel. Where a small settlement had built up close to a natural ford called "Biccles Waede". Here people and animals comming from the east could cross easily before turning south onto the road to London.
A raid across such a ford to try to grab goods travelling south to London would have been a distinct probability in the early 5th century.
Here follows a fictitious scenario using "Warhammer Ancient Battles", our 25mm Early Saxons, and a bunch of assorted Romans until we get our own finished.
SAXON BRIEFING.
With the crops now harvested, and most of the men folk sitting around bored and getting into trouble. Word has reached you that the Britons are moving supplies of wheat south to London for the winter. These convoys are usually lightly defended, and would prove to be a good chance to have a final swipe at the "soft bellied" Britons before bad weather closes this years fighting.
You have moved a good sized band west from your base, through the bad lands ( a sort of no mans land of destroyed farms and towns). To a small village called Stratton near the River Ivel. Just the otherside of a crossing called "Biccles Waede" lies the London road.
At dawn tommorrow you will cross the river and attack a group of wagons, camped on the other side. Your troops can enter at any of the three points. Troops crossing the Ivel at "Biccleswaede" (marked S) start the game deployed on the table. Troops deciding to cross up stream arrive at the point marked U, 1-6 turns after the start of the game. Roll a dice. Troops crossing down stream arrive at the point marked D, 2-12 turns after the start of the game. Roll two six sidded dice.
Obviously the British player will not know if the Saxons have split their forces, and when they are to arrive.
| TYPE | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | LD | PTS | Weapon | Number |
| General | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 170 | Spear, shield, and light armour. | x1 |
| Standard bearer | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 95 | Sword shield and light armour | x1 |
| Body guard | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 12 | Spear, shield | x 9 |
| Warriors | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | Spear, shield | x 36 |
| Skirmishers | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 4 | Javalins shield | x9 |
| Archer skirmishers | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 4 | bow | x9 |
All infantry except skirmishers can use shield wall.
Total points 661
BRITISH BRIEFING.
Fighting against the Saxons this summer has been hard and brutal. The Britons have carried the war to the Saxons raiding deep into their land. Burning and destroying what you can. Now that the harvest is in, it is time to get the surplus stored away. A large portion of which is being moved south to London, to feed the city, and supply next years campaign.
The Saxons are believed to have gone into winter quarters early. So only local forces have been given the task of protecting the food wagons.
You have camped over night at a small settlement called "Biccles Waede" before moving south tommorrow. With your troops are four wagons of food that need to be moved south to London. Your troops at the start of the game can be deployed in any formation in the area marked.
Late last night rumours reached you that a small Saxon raiding party was near the village of Stratton, just across the Ivel, yesterday.
| TYPE | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | LD | PTS | Weapon | Number |
| General | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 175 | Sword shield and light armour | x1 |
| Standard Bearer | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 80 | Sword, shield and light armour | x1 |
| Bodyguard | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 12 | Sword spear shield and light armour | x9 |
| Militia | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 7 | Spear shield | x26 |
| Skirmishers | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 4 | Javalin shield | x12 |
| Light Horse | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 12 | Javalin shield | x6 |
| Wagons | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | x4 |
All infantry, except skirmishers can act as shield walls. Light horse use light horse special rules.
Total points 665.
TERRAIN NOTES.
All the ground is open ground with the following exceptions:-
The river Ivel is difficult terrain, except for the ford at Biccleswaede, which is open terrain. The ford is the equivalent of 12 figures frontage wide.
The scrub / woods are difficult terrain. The farmstead at Biccles waede is impassable, and no troops may enter this area.
OBJECTIVES.
The British win an outstanding victory if they remove 3 or more wagons from the south edge of the table. They win a major victory is they remove one or two wagons. They win a minor victory if they prevent the Saxons from capturing or destroying any wagons.
The Saxons win an outstanding victory if they get 2 or more wagons back across the ford. They win a mojor victory by capturing or destroying 3 or more wagons. They win a minor victory if they capture any wagons.
A wagon is captured, and can be moved by its owner, if they have the only figures in contact with the wagons base. If both sides contact the wagon it cannot move. The wagon is difficult terrain to move over.
Historical notes.
If you han't already guessed the Saxon name of Biccles waede, became the later day town of Biggleswade. Recent excavations have shown that there was a Roman camp at Sandy, 2 miles north of Biggleswade; and there was a Saxon village at Stratton in the late 5th century. The London road has existed since people have trudged northwards, and still exists as the A1 (M).
The rest of it is pure fiction, but allowing for the historical possibility, we thought it made a nice game. It also let us use our new Saxons.