Hail Cid

Tom, James, John and myself had a recent discussion about how well we thought Hail Caesar would work for our big El Cid games.

As we knew it would be a quiet night at the White Hart club we decided that we would take the opportunity to set up a 12ft x 6ft table set up a game of  Almoravid  against a Spanish Christian and Al Andalus force and go at it hammer and tongues.

The forces are from recollection, so there may be a few mistakes.

The Almohavid Moors

Ben Yusuf - leadership 8 - one reroll can be used per turn by any one commander in the Almoravid force.

First Command - leadership 8
1 unit of Medium cavalry camel riders (as Hasham Medium Cavalry, but enemy horse cannot charge them on initiative and count as reluctant if trying to charge them.)
2 small units of Light cavalry Berbers

Second Command - leadership 8
1 unit of Black Guard
4 units of Berber infantry with spears and bows
3 small units of Skirmishers


Third Command - leadership 8
1 large unit of Black Guard
3 large units of Berber infantry with spears and bows
3 small units of Skirmishers

Fourth Command - leadership 8
2 units of Hasham medium cavalty
3 small units of Light cavalry Berbers


Fifth  Command - leadership 8
2 units of Hasham medium cavalty
3 small units of Light cavalry Berbers


There were deployed as listed from right to left.
James and Tom assisted by Cameron would be the Almohavids.

The Christian Spanish and Al Andalusians

El Scrivs - leadership 8

First Command - leadership 8
2 units of Caballeros Hildagos
1 unit of Caballeros
2 units of Jinetes

Second Command - leadership 8
1 unit of Guard Spears
2 units of Peones with spears and bows
1 unit of Aqueros with crossbows
3 units of Skirmishers


Third Command - leadership 8
1 unit of Guard Spears
1 unit of Peones with spears and bows
1 unit of Andalusians with spears and bows
1 unit of  Andalusians with crossbows
3 units of Skirmishers


Fourth Command - leadership 8
2 units of Caballeros Hildagos

Fifth Command - leadership 9
1 unit of Andalusian Knights
2 small units of Andalusian Jinetes



These were deployed as listed from left to right, so each command was pretty much opposite corresponding number.
John and I would be the Christian Spanish and Andalusians assisted by Matt.

How did it play

We were all rather rusty with the rules but the game played out very well. I'll not attempt a full report, but some highlights:

The Almohavid infantry was far superior to the Christians and Andalusians and pushed them back all along the center.
The Christian Knights performed well, as could be expected, but the mounted men of the match were the Medium cavalry camel riders who destroyed both a unit of Caballeros and a unit of Jinetes.


After three hours no command had been broken, the Almohavid infantry were victorious in the centre but the 


I forgot to take my camera with me, but did get some snaps on the phone. Expect much better images to appear soon on Toms Toy Soldiers.

A long view, Christains and Andalusians on the left, Almohavids on the right

The second Spanish Command  does not fare well against its Almohavid opponents

The third Almohavid command prepares to fall upon the Christaians and Andalusians

Battle to be joined

Another long view

The large units of Berber spears take their toll.

Getting down to eye-level