Byzantium v. Crusaders at Black Hills

Chris & I went to Black Hills to fight an Ancient battle using Peter's Strategos Rules.  Jim's Crusaders v. Chris' Byzantines.

The Crusaders are on the near side. They have a small advantage in points, but the Byzantines are on a slope giving them an uphill advantage.

The Crusaders took up the challenge of attacking.  On the left their cavalry drew the Byzantine cavalry to the flank leaving gap where they hoped to get infantry onto the flank of the Varangians.  O the right their cavalry drove the horse archers back.

The Byzantines are counterattacking with their best infantry & cavalry fearing they will be outflanked if they stay put. 

The Crusader's plan on the left broke down when the cavalry fight quickly & the infantry trying to outflank the Varangians had to turn & face the Byzantine cavalry. On the right, the Crusader cavalry came back though the Byzantines were able to turn their second line of cavalry to meet them.

The centre has turned into a grinding match between equally matched forces.  On the right the Crusader cavalry has crunched the Byzantines in their pincer move.  But on the left, the Byzantine cavalry has broken the Crusader foot.

The two cavalry of btoh sides are kept apart by a mass of fugitives & pursers after one of the Byzantine foot units broke & was pursued.  But the battle was decided when the Crusader heavy foot were finally broken by the Varangians causing the Crusaders to fail their Army Morale Test..