This weekend I visited Stuart for some wargaming chivalric "feats of arms". Stuart has recently completed a superb command base to represent Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard, "le chevalier sans peur et sans reproche", https://stuartsworkbench.blogspot.com/2025/12/pierre-terrail-seigneur-de-bayard.html, and we were both keen to play some games centering around his chivalric adventures.
Bayard has already appeared on this blog, see for example https://camisado1500s.blogspot.com/2023/10/seigneur-de-bayard-in-navarre-1512.html. In fact the first game Stuart and myself ever played, back in 2017, featured the good knight https://camisado1500s.blogspot.com/2017/05/beneath-walls-of-therouanne.html. He is a great character for the sort of games we play as his squire, Jacques de Mailles, wrote a heroic biography that is packed full of tales which make for superb wargaming scenarios. An online English translation can be found here: https://archive.org/details/storyofchevalier00mailiala/mode/2up.
For the first game this weekend, to showcase Stuart's new representation of Bayard, we chose an Italian Wars clash set in 1509 when, unusually, the Imperialists and French were allies and were besieging Venetian held Padua. For our second we recreated an especially heroic moment when Bayard was captured whilst holding a bridge during the French rout after the "Battle of the Spurs" in August 1513. Both games were a lot of fun and of course "le chevalier sans peur et sans reproche" was the star of both.
For the first game this weekend, to showcase Stuart's new representation of Bayard, we chose an Italian Wars clash set in 1509 when, unusually, the Imperialists and French were allies and were besieging Venetian held Padua. For our second we recreated an especially heroic moment when Bayard was captured whilst holding a bridge during the French rout after the "Battle of the Spurs" in August 1513. Both games were a lot of fun and of course "le chevalier sans peur et sans reproche" was the star of both.
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| Lucio Cornelio Malvezzi's Venetian cavalry force, head out towards the siege lines of Padua on the road from Treviso, "numbering from one hundred men-at-arms, helmets on head, and well-nigh two hundred Albanians led by a captain named Scanderbeg, all well mounted, and, judging from their countenances, resolute men." |
"In this first charge many were brought to ground", Bayard's ambush of Lucio Cornelio Malvezzi, September 1509
The initial stage of the War of the League of Cambrai saw Pope Julius II, "the warrior pope", form an anti-Venetian alliance with Louis XII of France, Ferdinand of Aragon and the Hapsburg ruler Maximilian I. In May 1509 the Venetians were defeated by the French at the battle of Agnadello, https://camisado1500s.blogspot.com/2019/08/agnadello-1509.html, and the following month, during the subsequent collapse of Venetian power, the north Italian city of Padua fell to Maximilian's Imperial forces. The Imperialist's success was short lived as on 17 July 1509 the Venetians, aided by civilians in the city, retook Padua by gaining control of one of the city gates. Maximilian began to surround the city in August 1509 before formally besieging it on 15 September. His army was said to number as many as 60,000 men, including a French force under the command of Jacques de La Palisse along with contingents of papal, Ferrarese and Mantuan troops, but this was probably a massive exaggeration. The Venetians held the city under Niccolò di Pitigliano who commanded around 14,000 infantry, 500 men at arms, 950 stradiots and 650 mounted crossbowmen. With a determined force holding Padua and with Maximilian being short of supplies and money, as was often the case in his military campaigns, he was forced to raise the siege on 1 October 1509.
One of the French men at arms who took part in the siege was Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard. In "La très joyeuse, plaisante et récréative histoire du gentil seigneur de Bayart" most likely written by Jacques de Mailles, Bayard's squire and biographer, de Mailles described how during the siege the city's defenders and the Venetian garrison of Treviso would harass Maximilian's camp. Particularly successful at this was Lucio Cornelio Malvezzi, a veteran condottiere from Bologna, who had fought at Agnadello and taken part in a host of military actions during the late 15th and early 16th century. Jacques de Mailles states that Malvezzi was part of the garrison of Treviso, but he may have been in charge of defending a section of Padua's walls with 100 men at arms, 200 mounted crossbowmen, the city's stradiots and 1,500 infantry under his command ( see https://condottieridiventura.it/lucio-malvezzi-and-the-military-ambitions-of-renaissance-nobility/).
Translated from the French, de Mailles states:
"During the siege of Padua there were constant alarms in the Emperor's camp, caused by sallies made by those from out the city, as also those of the garrison of Treviso, a strongly fortified town twenty or twenty-five miles distant from Padua. In this latter, amongst other captains, was Messer Lucio Malvezzi, as venturesome a warrior as any to be found. Two or three times each week he surprised the Emperor's camp without sound of trumpet, and, if he saw his chance, did not spare his enemies; if, on the contrary, he saw his chance was not good, wisely retired, never losing a man. So long continuing these courses, that men spoke of him with wonderment."
Jacques de Mailles continues to explain how Malvezzi's raids "vexed sorely the good Chevalier" and so with the aid of spies (spies feature a lot in the Bayard's biography) a plot was hatched to ambush the Venetian captain:
"This course of action vexed sorely the good Chevalier, and, without noising it abroad, by means of spies whom he paid liberally, and who would have perished sooner than deceive him, heard much of the comings and goings of the said Malvezzi, finally determined to go out to meet him. Coming to those of his fellow men-at-arms who lodged with him, one of whom was Captain La Clayette, and the other Lord de La Crotte, both brave and valiant knights, he said to them, " Sirs, this Captain Malvezzi causes us much vexation; not a day passes without his surprising us; and tell they not many other things concerning him? I am not envious of his great deeds, but am angered that he does not know us otherwise. I have had information concerning his movements. Wilt thou come out to meet him, and thou shalt see a goodly fray? I trust that we may find him on the morrow's morn, for he has in noways surprised us these two days." "We shall do as thou desirest," replied his comrades. ''Then it is done," said the good Chevalier; "at two hours after midnight, each accompanied by thirty men-at-arms, the bravest that you have; I shall take my company and the good comrades I have with me, such as Bonnet, Mipont, Cossey, Brezon, and others, who are experienced as myself. And without trumpet-sound, or call of any kind, we shall mount our steeds, and trust to me we shall have faithful guides."
With a force of men at arms and mounted archers Bayard set off in the early hours of the morning to lay the ambush for Malvezzi. Jacques de Mailles describes how Bayard and his men hid in the grounds of a "large palace fenced round by a high wall" and on hearing approaching horses sent a veteran archer named Mouart to climb up into a dovecot from where the approaching Venetians could be seen. Mouart spotted them some distance away and estimated that Malvezzi had one hundred men at arms and two hundred stradiots who were under the command of a captain called Scanderbeg:
"As he had said, so it was done; and betwixt the hours of two and three in the morning, in the month of September, they mounted their horses, their guide in front, who was guarded by four archers. He had been promised good payment if he executed well his duty; on the other hand, if he played them false, his life was to be the forfeit. Thus the good Chevalier had arranged, because oft times spies are double-faced, turning the loss where it best pleases them. But this one did his duty trustily, taking them across the country till daybreak, when they reached a large palace fenced round by a high wall.
Thereon the spy informed the good Chevalier, saying, "Sir, if this day the Captain Messer Lucio Malvezzi quits Treviso to visit your camp, he must of necessity pass by this. If it may please you to hide here, where no one has lived, for cause of the war, you can see him pass, though he will be unable to see you." This being found good by all the captains, they entered forthwith, when, after having tarried for more than two hours, they heard the tramp of horses. The good Chevalier had made an old archer of his troop, by name Mouart (as experienced in warfare as any man alive), ascend into a dovecot, to see all who might pass by, and note their numbers. Seeing Messer Lucio Malvezzi whilst still a great way off, with troops, according to his judgment, numbering from one hundred men-at-arms, helmets on head, and well-nigh two hundred Albanians led by a captain named Scanderbeg, all well mounted, and, judging from their countenances, resolute men. They passed but a stone's throw from where the French lay in ambush."
Once Malvezzi's Venetians had passed Bayard's hiding place his men saddled up and gave chase, reaching the Venetians when they were travelling along a road which had a deep trench on either side:
"After that they had passed, Mouart descended joyfully, and gave his information. Who were overjoyed. All were much so. The Chevalier ordered the re-strapping of their horses, for there was neither page or varlet in the troop (such had been enjoined), and said to his comrades, "Sirs, it is ten years since we had a like adventure. If we are but noble gallants; they have twice our numbers, but that is of no account; let us follow them." " Onward! onward" cried they all, and, remounting their horses, the gate was opened; they pursued their foe at rapid trot, and had scarce proceeded a mile when they espied them on the high road. At once the Chevalier ordered the trumpeter, crying, "Sound, sound the trumpet!" the which they forthwith did.
The Venetian captains, who never dreamed of anyone behind them, thought that it was their own men who would hasten forward. Nevertheless, at the same time, without farther advance, they halted, long enough to espy that they were in truth followed by enemies. They were somewhat taken aback, thus finding themselves between the Emperor's camp and those they now saw; they must perforce pass by them or through them. But were comforted to see that they were not many in number. Putting on a bold front, the Captain Messer Lucio Malvezzi entreated his men to do their best, telling them that force was required to defeat or subdue these others. On each side of the roadway were deep trenches, which a man-at-arms, unless well horsed, could not have ventured to cross, for fear of remaining in them ; thus, in a measure, they were compelled to give fight."
Jacques de Mailles account describes how Bayard's men charged the Venetians shouting both Empire and France as battle cries. 1509 was an unusual year in the Italian wars in that the Imperialists and French were allies! The Venetians fought back under the battle cry of St Mark, "Marco! Marco!". The stradiots attempted to surround the French but were repulsed by Captain La Crotte whose men slew a dozen of the Albanian mercenaries. Having a superb horse, "mounted to perfection", Malvezzi managed to escape along with twenty to thirty of his men who also had excellent steeds. Some of the stradiots escaped but between one hundred and sixty to one hundred and eighty of the Venetian force were taken prisoner making Bayard's ambush a great success:
"Trumpets sounded on either side, and when they were about an arrow's throw from one another, they rushed forward, some crying,
"Empire! Empire!
France! France!" the others,
"Marco! Marco!"
It was right gladsome to hear them. In this first charge many were brought to ground; in the which Bonnet gave one lance-thrust which pierced the man right through the body. Each man did his duty. The Albanians deviated from the high road and separated from their guides in their endeavour to take the French from the rear, seeing which the good Chevalier remarked to Captain La Crotte: "Friend, look to the rear that we be not surrounded. We shall look to the rest". This was done, and when the said Albanians tried to approach, they were met and repulsed, leaving a dozen on the ground; the others escaped by flight. La Crotte did not pursue them, but returned to the main force; on his arrival he found the Venetians completely routed, and all were already seeing to their prisoners.
Messer Lucio Malvezzi, who was mounted to perfection, leaped off the high road, and twenty or thirty of the best horsed escaped in the direction of Treviso. They were a short while followed, but with no result, as the fugitive horses went swiftly and with right good will. Abandoning their chase, they returned to their prisoners, of whom they had more in number than they were men. For without error they had taken one hundred and sixty to one hundred and eighty, whom they divested of their swords and maces, and placed them in their centre."
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| Malvezzi and his men are being followed and realise that the horsemen behind them are not Venetians but the ambushing French and Imperialist cavalry. Trapped between Maximilian's siege lines and Treviso Malvezzi realises "they must perforce pass by them or through them". |
Scenario
For this game the Venetian forces were deployed at one end of the table on the road with difficult terrain on either side to represent the "deep trenches" and the French and Imperialists were deployed at the other end of the table. As always we used our modified Lion Rampant rules for the games and in this one each force was divided into two retinues. The Venetians had to attempt to escape by leaving the field via the French table edge and the French and Imperialists had to try and stop them.
"On each side of the roadway were deep trenches, which a man-at-arms, unless well horsed, could not have ventured to cross"
To represent the deep ditches that were hard to cross every time a unit attempted to cross the deep ditches they had to roll 1D6 and on a 1 the unit would take a casualty.
Turn sequence
The order in which the retinues acted changed each turn. Each retinue had a coloured dice. The four dice were placed in a bag. Each turn a dice was taken from the bag and the retinue whose dice was drawn could then act. This was be done for all four retinues every turn. If a retinue was wiped out its dice were removed from the bag.
Victory
Victory was decided by victory points which were awarded as follows:
The French and Imperialists
1 point for every Venetian Lancer or Stradiot unit killed or routed
2 points for every Venetian Gendarme or Men at Arms unit killed or routed
5 points if Captain Messer Lucio Malvezzi was killed or routed
3 points if Captain Scanderbeg was killed or routed
The Venetians
1 point for every Stradiot or Venetian Lancer unit that escaped the table via the French table edge
2 points for every Gendarme or Men at Arms unit that escaped the table via the French table edge
4 points if Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard, was killed or routed
3 points if Captain La Clayette was killed or routed
3 points if the Lord de La Crotte's unit was killed or routed
3 points if Captain Messer Lucio Malvezzi escaped the table via the French table edge
2 points if Captain Scanderbeg escaped the table via the French table edge
The Armies
For this game Stuart took command of the French and Imperial force under Bayard and I took command of the condotierre Messer Lucio Malvezzi's Venetian force.
For this game Stuart took command of the French and Imperial force under Bayard and I took command of the condotierre Messer Lucio Malvezzi's Venetian force.
Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard and the French and Imperial Cavalry
Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard and his retinue
2 Units of Gendarmes (one unit contains the retinue leader Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard)
1 Unit of Men at Arms
1 Unit of Mounter Archers
2 Units of Ordonnance Archers with Lances
Captain La Clayette and the Lord de La Crotte
1 Unit of Gendarmes (Captain La Clayette retinue leader)
1 Unit of Gendarmes (the Lord de La Crotte)
1 Unit of Men at Arms
1 Unit of Ordonnance Archers with Lances
1 Unit of Mounted Crossbowmen
Captain Messer Lucio Malvezzi and the Venetian cavalry
Captain Messer Lucio Malvezzi and the men at arms
2 Units of Gendarmes (one unit contains the retinue leader Lucio Cornelio Malvezzi)
2 Units of Men at Arms
3 Units of Lancers
Captain Scanderbeg and the stradiots
5 Units of Stradiots (one unit contains the retinue leader Captain Scanderbeg)
As always the captions under the photos describe the action but a brief summary of the game also follows.
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| As Malvezzi's gendarmes and men at arms advance down the road the stradiots attempt to outflank the ambushing French and Imperial force but on "each side of the roadway" are "deep trenches, which a man-at-arms, unless well horsed, could not have ventured to cross". |
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| As the Venetian light cavalry cross the deep trench some of them are unhorsed in the process. |
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| To cries of "Empire! Empire! France! France!", on the French and Imperial side, and "Marco! Marco!", on the Venetian side, battle is joined. |
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| Some of the Venetian light horse attempt to escape but they are charged by a troop of Imperial lancers and defeated in front of the "large palace fenced round by a high wall". |
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| On one side of the road a unit of French archers attempt to block the escape of the stradiot captain Scanderbeg. |
As Captain Messer Lucio Malvezzi rode out on his foray against the French and Imperial siege lines of Padua he realised he was being followed. Initially thinking that the cavalry coming along the road behind him must be more Venetians it quickly became apparent to Malvezzi that they were French and Imperial cavalry who had somehow gotten in between his horsemen and their road back to Treviso. With his path back to Treviso blocked Malvezzi prepared to fight. As on "each side of the roadway" there "were deep trenches, which a man-at-arms, unless well horsed, could not have ventured to cross" the Venetian gendarmes and men at arms advanced along the road to meet their oncoming foes whilst the lighter Venetian lancers and Captain Scanderbeg's stradiots began to cross the ditch to outflank their enemies. The trench was so deep that some of the stradiots were unhorsed as they attempted to cross it.
Telling his men "that force was required to defeat or subdue these others" Captain Messer Lucio Malvezzi led his heavy cavalry against Bayard's ambushing force. "In this first charge many were brought to ground" and a fierce cavalry melee developed along the high road. Meanwhile the stradiots that had "deviated from the high road" skirmished with the French mounted archers who had dismounted in an attempt to block the stradiots escape. Closer to the "large palace fenced round by a high wall" Venetian and Imperial lancers clashed but the Venetians were unable to force their way through.
Telling his men "that force was required to defeat or subdue these others" Captain Messer Lucio Malvezzi led his heavy cavalry against Bayard's ambushing force. "In this first charge many were brought to ground" and a fierce cavalry melee developed along the high road. Meanwhile the stradiots that had "deviated from the high road" skirmished with the French mounted archers who had dismounted in an attempt to block the stradiots escape. Closer to the "large palace fenced round by a high wall" Venetian and Imperial lancers clashed but the Venetians were unable to force their way through.
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| A view across the road showing Scanderbeg and his stradiots attempting to evade the French gendarmes and men at arms whilst on the road the Venetian heavy cavalry are being pushed back by Bayard and his men. |
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| A fierce cavalry melee has developed on the road. |
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| The Venetians give a good account of themselves but are pushed back by the French and Imperial forces. |
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| In the middle of the road Bayard and Malvezzi engage in personal combat... |
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| ...Malvezzi is knocked from his horse and captured by Bayard "le chevalier sans peur et sans reproche". |
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| With their condottiere captain prisoner the remaining Venetian gendarmes and men at arms are quickly defeated. |
Many lances were broken as the swirling cavalry melee developed on the high road. It was clear that Bayard's men were gaining the upper hand so in desperation Lucio Cornelio Malvezzi,"as venturesome a warrior as any to be found", sought out seigneur de Bayard in the fray. The two captains engaged in a personal duel, Bayard wielding a mace against Malvezzi's one handed axe. Malvezzi was unhorsed and taken prisoner by Bayard. Seeing that their leader was captured the remaining Venetian heavy cavalry were quickly overcome and being unable to flee the road they too were made captive.
Unwilling to suffer the same fate as their heavier armoured comrades the Venetian lancers and stradiots, who had successfully cleared the trench, spurred on their steeds in an attempt to flee. The Venetian lancers clashed bitterly with the Imperial lancers and crossbowmen who rode against them and none were able to escape. The stradiots were more successful. Under the wily captain Scanderbeg they defeated the French archers and made for Treviso. Bayard gave chase but he was unable to catch the stradiots as "the fugitive horses went swiftly and with right good will". Bayard had already captured Malvezzi and he and his men abandoned their chase content that the ambush had been a great success.
Unwilling to suffer the same fate as their heavier armoured comrades the Venetian lancers and stradiots, who had successfully cleared the trench, spurred on their steeds in an attempt to flee. The Venetian lancers clashed bitterly with the Imperial lancers and crossbowmen who rode against them and none were able to escape. The stradiots were more successful. Under the wily captain Scanderbeg they defeated the French archers and made for Treviso. Bayard gave chase but he was unable to catch the stradiots as "the fugitive horses went swiftly and with right good will". Bayard had already captured Malvezzi and he and his men abandoned their chase content that the ambush had been a great success.
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| Having crossed the deep trench the lighter Venetian lancers try to escape... |
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| ...but are defeated and captured by the Imperial light cavalry who block their escape. On the other side of the road... |
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| ...captain Scanderbeg and some of his stradiots have managed to evade the French and Imperialist cavalry.. |
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| ...Bayard tries to catch up with them but the stradiots are too fast and captain Scanderbeg escapes with some of his men. |
"Gentlemen, let us stop here; for the enemy will not win this bridge from us in the space on an hour"
Along with the capture of Thérouanne and Tournai the other notable event of Henry VIII's 1513 French campaign was the Battle of the Spurs on 16 August 1513. In an attempt to get supplies into the besieged town of Thérouanne bodies of French heavy cavalry under Jacques de La Palisse and Charles IV, Duke of Alençon attempted to create a diversion which would let a force of stradiots, who were carrying sides of bacon and sacks of gunpowder, reach the town walls. Unfortunately for the French the effectiveness of the English border horse patrolling the siege lines meant that the early morning raid was discovered.
Having lost the element of surprise the French heavy cavalry were subjected to volleys of arrows from dismounted English archers and began to withdraw but a charge from the English and Burgundian heavy cavalry caused the withdrawal to become a rout. La Palisse attempted to rally his troops to no effect and in the ensuing chaos he was taken prisoner along with Louis I d'Orléans, duc de Longueville. The haste with which the French heavy cavalry had fled led to the battle being known as the Battle of the Spurs with Hall commenting in his chronicle "The Frenchmen call this battaile the journey of Spurres because they rune away so fast on horsback".
Another figure of note who took part in the "battle" was Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard. Bayard's squire and biographer, Jacques de Mailles provides a detailed account of Bayard's participation whilst of course painting him in the most heroic light possible. De Mailles "La très joyeuse, plaisante et récréative histoire du gentil seigneur de Bayart" describes La Palisse's attempts to rally the fleeing French cavarly:
"The Lord of La Palisse, and many others, did more than their duty, and cried with a loud voice: "Turn, men at arms, turn; this is nothing". But that was of no avail, every one endeavouring to gain the camp, where the artillery and foot soldiers had been left. Amid this woeful confusion the Duke of Longueville was made prisoner, with many more, among others the Lord of La Palisse; but he escaped out of the hands of them that had taken him."
La Palisse must have been recaptured as he was one of the high ranking French prisoners taken that day. De Mailles account then goes on to describe how Bayard and a handful of other French gendarmes reached a bridge that crossed a mill stream where Bayard decided he would hold it long enough for the troops in the French camp to prepare themselves in case the pursuing English and Burgundians should reach it:
"The good Knight without fear and without reproach retired very sorrowfully, and ever and anon turned round upon his enemies, with fourteen or fifteen gendarmes, who had stood by him. In retreating he came to a little bridge, where no more than two men could pass abreast: and there was a great ditch, full of water which came from a distance of more than half a league and proceeded to turn a mill three furlongs farther on. When he was upon the bridge he said to them that were with him; "Gentlemen, let us stop here; for the enemy will not win this bridge from us in the space on an hour". Then he called one of his archers and said to him: "Hie you come to our camp and tell my Lord of La Palisse that I have stopped the enemy short for at least half and hour; that during this interval he must make the forces draw up in order of battle; and let them not be alarmed, but softly march hither. For, should the foe advance to the camp, and catch them thus in disarray, they would infallibly be defeated."
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| Bayard and the cavalry force that he has managed to rally with a cry of "Gentlemen, let us stop here; for the enemy will not win this bridge from us in the space on an hour". |
Bayard and his small band of comrades were being pursued by some of the Imperial cavalry, "Burgundians and Hainaulters". It was these heavy cavalry that Bayard stopped at the bridge, giving time for the archer to reach the French camp:
"The archer goes straight to the camp and leaves the good Knight, with inconsiderable number of men by whom he was accompanied, guarding that little bridge, where he did all that prowess could achieve. The Burgundians and Hainaulters arrived but were obliged to fight on the hither side of the bridge, as they could not very easily effect a passage. This gave the French who had returned to their camp, leisure to place themselves in order, and in a posture of defence, for fear it should be necessary."
Not to be outdone by a handful of French gendarmes holding the bridge the Burgundians called for archers, presumably meaning English archers, who could dislodge the French whilst at the same time two hundred of them rode along the stream to the mill where they were able to cross and attack Bayard and his men. Being surrounded and telling his men that if the English archers arrived they "will cut us to pieces" Bayard told his companions to surrender to the Burgundians and Hainaulters:
"When the Burgundians found themselves withstood by such a handful of men, they exclaimed that archers should be sent for with all speed, and some went to hasten them. Meantime above two hundred cavaliers followed the course of the brook, till they found the mill, by which they crossed over. The good Knight, thus inclosed on both sides, said to his people: "Sirs, let us surrender to these Gentlemen; for all the prowess we might display would avail us to nothing. Our steeds are weary; our adversaries as ten to one against us; our forces three leagues off; and if we tarry but a little while longer and the English archers come up, they will cut us to pieces." At these words the foresaid Burgundians and Hainaulters arrived, crying: "Burgundy! Burgundy!" and made a mighty onset upon the French, who having no means of further resistance, surrendered, one here, another there, to those of most seeming consideration."
But of course this being Bayard, "le chevalier sans peur et sans reproche", Jacques de Mailles account does not have Bayard simply surrendering. De Mailles explains how one of the Imperial gentlemen was overcome with heat in his armour and had removed his helmet. Bayard took this man prisoner only to then surrender to him on the condition that if they met any of the English as he was being taken back to the English and Imperial camp he must have his sword back from the gentlemen as the English may try to kill them. The English must have had a bad reputation as De Mailles goes on to say that Bayard did indeed need to have his sword back as they were attacked by Englishmen on the way back to the camp and did have to fight them off!
"While each was endeavouring to take his prisoner, the good Knight espied, under some little trees, a Gentleman in goodly attire, who, by reason of the excessive heat he was in, whereby he was completely overcome, had taken off his helmet, and was so turmoiled and weary that he cared not to be at the trouble of taking prisoners. He spurred straight up to this person, grasping his sword, which he pointed at the other's throat, and cried: "Surrender, cavalier, or you die." Terribly dismayed was this Gentleman, for he thought that his whole company were taken prisoners; however being in fear of his life he said: "I give myself up then, since I am taken in this manner. Who are you?" "I am," said the good Knight, "Captain Bayard, who surrender to you; here is my sword. I pray you be pleased to carry me away with you. But do me this kindness; if we meet with any English on the road who may offer to kill us, let me have it back again." This the Gentleman promised and observed; for as they drew toward the camp they were both obliged to use their weapons against some English who sought to slay the prisoners; whereby they gained nothing."
Both Maximilian I and Henry VIII were overjoyed to see that Bayard had been captured with De Mailles recounting the following exchange between Maximillian and Bayard:
"Captain Bayard, my friend," said he (Maximilian), " the sight of you gives me great joy. Would to God that I had many such men as you! It seems to me that if such were the case I should not be long in requiting the king your master for the good turns he has done me in times past. But," added he, " it appears to me that when we were in battle together I had heard it said that Bayard never fled."
" Sire," replied the knight, " if I had fled I should now not be here."
Such was his reputation that after agreeing not serve against Henry or Maximilian for six weeks Bayard was released with no ransom.
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| A view of the table from above. Bayard and his forces are deployed on one side of the bridge in the centre left. In the top left are the pursuing "Burgundians and Hainaulters". The English archers in pursuit will arrive from behind these Burgundians once the fighting at the bridge starts. In the bottom right of the photo is the mill. It is from here that the rest of the Burgundians will arrive. |
Scenario
This game started with Bayard and his retreating troops on one side of the bridge and some of the Burgundian cavalry on the other. The "great ditch, full of water" was impassable terrain and further down the table was the mill (see the photo above).
Deployment
Bayard's retinue could be deployed anywhere on the French side of the bridge. The Burgundian player had to place at least two units on the other side of the bridge and had to keep at least two units off the table to cross at the mill.
Once a melee had taken place the following turn the Burgundian units that crossed via the mill could arrive from within 24" of the mill on the correct side of the stream. They could arrive by a move or attack activation.
"if we meet with any English on the road who may offer to kill us"
To represent the English archers that were also pursuing the retreating French the turn after the first melee had taken place we rolled 1D6. On the roll of a 6 the English archers would arrive that turn. On the following turn a roll of a 5 or 6 would bring on the English and so on each turn until the English arrived.
When they arrived the English were placed against the table edge on the Burgundian side of the bridge. Both players started the game with five playing cards. Once the English archers had arrived each turn each player played a card and whoever played the highest got to control the English archers for that turn. Both players then took another card. In their blood thirsty pursuit the English archers could attack the French and Burgundian retinues. The English archers could be attacked by either the Burgundian or French retinues.
Victory
Victory went to whichever of the retinues was the last standing. If the English archers were the last retinue standing then it would be the retinue that survived the longest that claimed victory.
The Armies
Stuart took control of the French for this game and I took command of the pursuing Burgundians.
Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard and the French Cavalry
4 Units of Gendarmes (one unit contains Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard, retinue leader)
2 Units of Men at Arms
1 Unit of Mounter Archers
2 Units of Ordonnance Archers with lances
The "Burgundians and Hainaulters"
3 Units of Gendarmes (one unit contains the retinue Captain)
2 Units of Men at Arms
1 Unit of Mounter Crossbowmen
4 Units of Lancers
The English
2 Units of Garrison Archers (one includes the retinue leader)
2 Units of Mounted Archers
A brief account of the heroic defence follows.
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| The French hold the bridge as the Burgundian cavalry advance. |
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| Some of Bayard's men set off in an attempt to reach the French camp and pass on his message to "tell my Lord of La Palisse that I have stopped the enemy short for at least half and hour; that during this interval he must make the forces draw up in order of battle; and let them not be alarmed, but softly march hither. For, should the foe advance to the camp, and catch them thus in disarray, they would infallibly be defeated." |
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| With a handful of men Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard, prepares to hold the bridge. |
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| The French men at arms charge the Burgundian lancers, driving them back from the bridge... |
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| ...where the Burgundians are then attacked by French archers with lances. |
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| As the fight on the bridge rages the French are attacked in the rear as "two hundred cavaliers followed the course of the brook, till they found the mill, by which they crossed over". |
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| Another cavalry fight develops on the other side of the brook as the French are... |
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| ..."thus inclosed on both sides". |
As Bayard "retired very sorrowfully" he reached "a little bridge, where no more than two men could pass abreast: and there was a great ditch, full of water". Determined to make a stand against the pursuing "Burgundians and Hainaulters" Bayard and his men formed up around the bridge whilst he sent some of them back to the French camp to warn them of what had happened outside Thérouanne. It was not long before the Burgundians "arrived, crying: "Burgundy! Burgundy!" and the first breaking of lances took place as Bayard's men at arms and archers charged the pursuing Burgundians and drove them back.
Whilst the fighting took place around the bridge the French were attacked on a second front as a larger force of Burgundians "found the mill, by which they crossed over". There were now two cavalry melees happening, one around the mill and the other at the bridge. At the bridge a unit of Burgundian gendarmes nearly managed to cross. They forced Bayard's men back off the bridge only to then be counter attacked by the French on the other side who forced them back across.
Whilst the fighting took place around the bridge the French were attacked on a second front as a larger force of Burgundians "found the mill, by which they crossed over". There were now two cavalry melees happening, one around the mill and the other at the bridge. At the bridge a unit of Burgundian gendarmes nearly managed to cross. They forced Bayard's men back off the bridge only to then be counter attacked by the French on the other side who forced them back across.
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| Some of the Burgundian gendarmes try to force their way over the bridge... |
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| ...and it looks as though they are going to force their way across... |
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| ...but the Burgundians find themselves "withstood by such a handful of men" and they are driven back across the bridge. |
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| Bayard still holds the bridge as the English archers arrive. |
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| On the other side of the brook the fighting continues... |
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| ...the French are holding their ground but the Burgundian numbers begin to tell and the French fall back to the bridge. |
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| Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard declares that if "the English archers come up, they will cut us to pieces"... |
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| ...and charges the English mounted archers before they can dismount to use their war bows. |
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| The pursuing English are caught off guard by the French counter attack... |
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| ...and driven back from the bridge with many of their number slain. |
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| French archers and Burgundian mounted crossbowmen shoot at one another across the river... |
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| ...whilst a unit of stradiots who are sent from the French camp to reinforce the defenders at the bridge is put to flight by some Burgundian lancers. |
As the Burgundians were driven back from the bridge the English archers, men who would pay no regard to the rules of chivalry, arrived on the field. Seeing this Bayard led his men in a series of ferocious charges against the English putting them to flight before they could use their bows. At the same time reinforcements arrived for the good knight, in the shape of a troop of stradiots. The Albanian horsemen did not remain on the field for long as they were shot at by the Burgundian mounted crossbowmen, who rode along the opposite bank of the great ditch, and then driven off by a group of Burgundian lancers.
All the while the fighting around the mill had been in full swing with the Burgundian numbers telling as more and more French units were defeated. Bayard chased the remaining English from the field and then crossed back over the bridge to take on the Burgundians that were advancing on the bridge from the mill. The "chevalier sans peur et sans reproche" defeated the remaining Burgundian units even managing to catch the mounted crossbowmen as they attempted to harass him from a distance. The bridge remained in French hands and the Burgundians and English on both sides of the brook had been defeated, a truly heroic stand had been made!
All the while the fighting around the mill had been in full swing with the Burgundian numbers telling as more and more French units were defeated. Bayard chased the remaining English from the field and then crossed back over the bridge to take on the Burgundians that were advancing on the bridge from the mill. The "chevalier sans peur et sans reproche" defeated the remaining Burgundian units even managing to catch the mounted crossbowmen as they attempted to harass him from a distance. The bridge remained in French hands and the Burgundians and English on both sides of the brook had been defeated, a truly heroic stand had been made!
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| It looks as if the French may break but Bayard puts the remaining English archers to flight before recrossing the bridge... |
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| ...and forcing back the remaining Burgundians who crossed over the great ditch at the mill... |
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| ...and finally putting the Burgundian mounted crossbowmen to flight. Bayard has heroically defended the bridge against all odds and put the "Burgundians and Hainaulters" and the English archers to flight! |
So two spectacular victories to Stuart in command of the forces of the good knight Bayard! We always joke how newly painted units perform terribly on their first outing on the wargames table, it's a wargaming cliché, but Bayard is evidently immune to such a curse. He won his duel in the Venetian game and was key to the French victory in the Spurs game, defeating unit after unit in combat.
Both of these games were great fun and we have loads more to explore in De Mailles "La très joyeuse, plaisante et récréative histoire du gentil seigneur de Bayart". We are probably going to stick with the Bayard theme a while longer and refight a couple more adventures from his biography as our next set of games.
Both of these games were great fun and we have loads more to explore in De Mailles "La très joyeuse, plaisante et récréative histoire du gentil seigneur de Bayart". We are probably going to stick with the Bayard theme a while longer and refight a couple more adventures from his biography as our next set of games.
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