DBA Resource PageBattle ScenariosBattle of Porth Mawr (500 AD)By Tim DonovanThe Tangled History: While the Scots of Dal Riata (Irish) were establishing an enduring Kingdom in what is now Scotland, even more threatening Irish kingdoms were growing in power in Wales. However, unlike in the North where the Irish were to leave an indelible mark on the future Kingdom, the settlements in Wales were ruthlessly crushed around the time of Arthur. The Irish originally arrived as either raiding warbands displaced by turbulence at home or possibly as foederati hired by Magnus Maximus or others to replace the regular troops withdrawn to the continent. Regardless, the Irish kingdoms in Wales were seen as a serious threat and were dealt with ruthlessly after the victory at Badon. The campaign began in earnest when Arthur defeated either an encroaching or raiding Scots Irish army at Chester, one of his legendary twelve battles. However, the remainder of the campaigns fell on the shoulders of Arthur's Generals and "Knights." Various legends, almost all disputed, record two names, Agricola and Theodoric, with the reduction and expulsion of the Irish from their largest Kingdom of Demetia in the Southwest. Agricola, son of Tribunus, is the first new ruler installed after the Irish dynasty is expelled and is well dated to about 500 AD. He is stylized not as a King but as a Protector and later is given credit as the founding ancestor of the Dynasty. Theodoric, on the other hand, is specifically a Gothic name at this time. One authority wraps an entire legend of a wandering Visigothic fleet, displaced by Clovis's crushing of the Visigoths in Gaul, around Theodoric. It is known that a Visigothic fleet operated in the Bay of Biscay, and following the Visigothic defeat in 507 it is possible they crossed the channel, under the leadership of Theodoric, to find employment in Britain with Arthur. Later legends have Theodoric, with his fleet, fighting in Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany, finally settling in Cornwall to outlive Arthur and die in a hunting accident in 530 AD. True or not it is an interesting portrait of one of many of Arthuršs lesser knights. Contemporary with Arthur in Ireland at this time was a powerful High King Mac Erca, whose reign lasted from 482 to 532. He is believed to have respected Arthur and been content to consolidate power in his own realm, possibly forcing many of his enemies from the South overseas to the colonies in Britain. As convoluted as the whole history is, the dates and contemporary events fit precisely with the woven story. Arthur is attempting to revive the Roman past and sends a trusted noble, Agricola, to revive authority in lands overrun by barbarians. Theodoric, a Visigothic refugee fleet from Clovis's crushing victories, finds employment for himself and his ships while at precisely the same time, the Irish of Leinster and Munster whom settled Wales, are reeling from the powerful onslaught of a powerful northern Uiš Neill King and flee to the Welsh colonies in droves provoking conflict with the Roman-British. The Historical Battle: The narrative of the battle has Theodoric and his force advancing down the Old Roman road through Llandovery and Carmarthen to Porth Mawr, losing over 100 men at each location. The ruins of Porth Mawr are still visible today. In its time it was the principal port for voyages to Ireland, and from whence St. Patrick is said to have sailed. The campaign was successful and the Irish dynasty was replaced by a Romano-British under Agricola. Theodoric's battles with the Irish continue as he is next recorded as patrolling the waters off Cornwall and landing to fight an alliance between an Irish king Fingar and his 770 warriors and their British ally, Guiner. Historical Note: Overall this whole history fanciful and easily disputed. In gaming terms though this is fertile territory for us to explore. Not constrained by verifiable accounts or detailed army lists we can refight these battles however we please. The Standard ScenarioThe Armies: Scots Irish (#61) fighting either Early Gothic (70), Later Visigothic (80), Sub Roman British (81) or any combination of them. Terrain: Standard DBA terrain rules or the proposed rules for DBA 2000. The sources mention that Porth Mawr, a hillfort town and Port, was situated on a hill overlooking a small bay. Two other hills of note are mentioned as is a road leading to the main Roman road. I suggest defender place compulsory terrain of 2 hills, 1 wood, 1 swamp, and then 0-3 additional terrain pieces of hill, woods, or swamp. A road will also be placed, see below. Deployment: After the defender places the compulsory and optional terrain the attacker chooses the edge to invade from . The defender now deploys the hillfort within 300 paces of their baseline edge and extends a road from the hillfort to the attackers edge. The defenders baseline is now considered cliff and ocean and is impassable. The defender now deploys 6 elements and then attacker deploys 6 elements. The defender finishes their deployment followed by the attacker. Dice for the initiative, high score has option of moving first or second. Special Rules: The Hillfort is +3 garrisoned by camp followers. The attacker need not deploy a camp. Rules and Victory: Standard. The Expanded ScenarioI have always preferred Big Battle DBA as it allows for a more appropriate representation and balance of the armies. My expanded scenarios utilize armies of roughly 100 points as per DBM and are played on an expanded battleboard (2 x 4 for 15mm, 4 x 6 for 25mm). The Armies:
Terrain Notes: The board should be expanded to 2 x 4 for 15mm or 4 x 6 for 25mm. Standard DBA terrain rules or the proposed rules for DBA 2000. The sources mention that Porth Mawr, a hillfort town and Port, was situated on a hill overlooking a small bay. Two other hills of note are mentioned as is a road leading to the main Roman road. I suggest defender place compulsory terrain of 2 hills, 1 wood, 1 swamp, and then 0-4 additional terrain pieces of hill, woods, or swamp. A road will also be placed, see below. Deployment: After the defender places the compulsory and optional terrain the attacker chooses the edge to invade from . The defender now deploys the hillfort within 300 paces of their baseline edge and extends a road from the hillfort to the attackers edge. The defenders baseline is now considered cliff and ocean and is impassable. The defender now deploys 12 elements and then attacker deploys 12 elements. The defenders finish their deployment followed by the attackers. Dice for the initiative, high score has option of moving first or second. Special Rules: The Hillfort is +3 garrisoned by camp followers. The attacker need not deploy a camp. Visigothic and Romano British units may start mounted and dismount, outside of combat or the ZOC of any enemy, at the cost of 1 Pip per element, no group move allowed. Once dismounted, or if deployed at start as dismounted they may not remount. Victory: Standard. Background Resources
| Top of Page | Battle Scenarios | Home | Last Update: March 17, 2000 My thanks to Tim Donovan for this scenario. Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome. Send them to Chris Brantley at brant@erols.com. |