Pike & Shotte at Nick's: 1690's

Jim's French v. Nick's Grand Alliance 1000 pts

Both sides were rather put off by the long ridge on the far side of the table & put their cavalry on the same flank closer to the camera.  The French are on the left in the pics.

The French have 2 cavalry divisions of 4 units, one them Maison du Roi and 2 infantry divisions of 4 line & 1 grenadier, plus 4 guns.

The Alliance have 2 infantry divisions of 4 line with pike coy, 1 heavy cavalry division of 4 units, a mixed division of 2 cavalry & 2 guard infantry, plus 4 guns.

The Alliance got first move & some good command dice.  They immediately advanced their heavy cavalry and infantry centre while moving their mixed division towards the centre.

The French infantry were supposed to seize the village, but refused to move.  Their centre infantry advanced into the wood.  The French deployed 2 guns in front of the village and 2 between the their infantry & cavalry with a field of fire between the woods.

On this flank the Maison du Roi charged with the other cavalry following up.  In the centre the Alliance attacked the wood, but were making no headway.  On the far flank the Alliance grand battery destroyed the French artillery in the village and their right flank infantry began moving towards the village (which the French finally occupied).

Heavy cavalry v. heavy cavalry with 3+ saves turned into a slog, but the Maison du Roi gradually pushed the enemy back and then broke them.


With support from the guns and part of the left flank division, the French in the wood beat off all attacks, including the grenadiers.


The Alliance right finally got some infantry into action this side of the village, but the defended village protected the French flank.

When the Alliance heavy cavalry broke, the 2nd French cavalry was able to wheel left to threaten the Alliance centre.


The Alliance infantry made a last desperate attack on the wood, but the French infantry held firm.

The French cavalry charge into the rear of the Alliance foot was the coup de grace.


It was Nick's first Pike & Shotte battle.  He made a some poor strategic decisions & the French took full advantage.