Capturing Alfred the Great Wargame
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 พ.ย. 2020
- In this episode, the guys at Little Wars TV recreate the most desperate moment of King Alfred the Great's reign, when a surprise Viking attack overran most of Wessex and nearly captured Alfred at his royal estate in the winter of 878! This dramatic moment is depicted in the TV show "The Last Kingdom," based on the Bernard Cornwell series, "The Saxon Chronicles." How accurately does the TV show portray Alfred's narrow escape? After analyzing the show, four players fight two linked wargames on the tabletop in 28mm scale. Can King Alfred and his household escape Chippenham again, or will Guthrum and his Danes end Saxon control over Wessex once and for all?
In this special episode of Little Wars TV we're using a brand new set of Dark Ages skirmish rules called "Ravenfeast." This is an introductory, gateway game developed by our club to help new players try historical wargaming for free! You can go and download your copy of Ravenfeast absolutely free, from our official website today.
Get your FREE COPY at www.Ravenfeast.com.
A huge THANK YOU to our guest voice over host for this episode. If you watch a lot of wargaming videos on TH-cam you might recognize that deep English voice as Alex from Storm of Steel Wargaming! He helped us out with this episode, and we encourage you to go see what he's doing on his own channel!
Storm of Steel: / @stormofsteelwargaming
We want to thank our partners at "Wargames, Soldiers, & Strategy" magazine and at the non-profit "Historical Miniatures Gaming Society" (HMGS) for their collaboration and support in helping us to make this fantastic, free resource available to players around the world!
WSS magazine -- www.karwansaraypublishers.com...
HMGS -- www.hmgs.org/ - เกม
I think after these two games the “no friendly fire” rule has to be updated to “friendly fire can happen. Pay close attention to your friends and enemies”
Sometimes it just make sense! These guys would be scared, battle is utter confusion. If in doubt, axe the guy running at or away from you!
Makes sense. There was a lot of internal competition within the war-bands during this period in history.
This is EXACTLY how history should be taught in schools!!! The Real events followed by a game based on historical events to bring excitement and fun to learning!!!!
No question that history would be a more engaging subject in school if teachers could introduce interactive elements like tabletop gaming. On our most recent podcast episode (Little Wars FM) we interview a teacher here in the US who is doing precisely this in his classroom!
@@LittleWarsTV I did hear that podcast! Very Nice podcast BTW. Your production value on everything from video content to podcasts just keeps getting better guys! Stay safe and keep up the good fight!
One of the reasons I enjoy history is wargaming. So yes I agree with you
Yes.great idea.
Do you then support increasing taxes to pay for this, these type of ideas are cool and correct, but oftentimes the same people who promote these then don't support paying for it. Let alone the younger folk who say shit like this then don't want to spend any additional time at school to properly learn these concepts.
Alfred the Great indeed! Greatness means standing up even when you've been beaten over and over again.
I think the Anglo-Saxons get a raw deal as the Vikings are so glamorous... they're very brave when they're beating up unarmed monks and wiping their backsides on some copies of the latin and Greek classics...
Tongue firmly in cheek!
Athelstan is the only other monarch who comes close to 'great' Elizabeth the First perhaps.. Alfred saved the nation and gave written English language dignity changed the landscape with the 'burh/Borough system and compromised with the Norse and the Danelaw to make peace and give the North and South of England a distinct character..
@@withnail1967 I would add to that list Edward III but he is a whole other subject. Alfred established and organised many things in times of peace and was the man for the job when England had its back to the wall. Established Englands first Royal Navy and defeated the Vikings at sea. Alfred will always be a hero king to me.
Btw that mist effect looked really cool! You guys really know how to make a beautiful and immersive wargaming table!
Thanks! That smoke effect was all Zach's idea!
@@LittleWarsTVZach must be a theatrical type. Respect from me
Zach's vape came in handy!
@@IronIvanKeith lol
It's alright Keith, Zach forgot to turn off friendly fire.
Keith unwittingly paid back him back in the second scenario!
Hey, if I see a berserker coming towards me, I don't care whose side he's on, he's getting an arrow! 😄
Christians don't have berserkers!
@@zachhershberger7145 Oh! Right! Forgot... still. He was coming at me with an axe, those dudes are so hopped up on shrooms and mead you never know what they're thinking!
What's not to like here? Superb terrain, figures, maps, longship, smoke...and players!👌
UGH I'm so happy to see Little Wars back up and running. I basically need this to get past senior year, can't wait to see what else you guys have planned
I saw the title and was wondering why you guys were trying to kidnap Batman’s Butler.
Hahah that's a very different video topic...
Yes!!!! I've been craving a dark ages game for a while. Great game!!
Thanks! We had a lot of fun with these two scenarios!
Lots of fun.
A pivotal moment of history: Defeat for Arthur at his hall, in the marshes or the subsequent Eðandun would have marked the death of the fledgling concept of England.
With that, no England as we know it, and a very different language, which you may or may not be speaking in the USA today.
Quite thought provoking.
Alfred not Arthur 😂
@@JohnyG29 (Facepalm) - Quite right sir. I can't believe how often I muddle those two up.
Not really English was heavily influenced by Norse as it was. What is really at stake is which part of England will be dominant the North with its capital at York or Wessex with its capital at Winchester. If it is the former then English will still be spoken but the dominant dialect will be a Northern one with thee and thou, and more Norse loan words. That Northumbria is dominant over Wessex doesn’t mean no England but it means a different England and probably a different Scotland with that border north of the central belt probably close to the Highland boundary fault
@@davidwright7193 and perhaps no troublesome’Wee Jimmy Krankie?’ 😉
Once more, God protects his king against the pagan horde, inducing confusion and fear among their ranks time and time again! Saxons, do not forget the deaths of Uhtred and many other loyal Christian men, worthy image of the Cross. May the Lord give us strength, because we must warrant their sacrifice ensures our beloved Alfred defeats the Danes and makes Guthrum and his people convert to the one true Faith!
- Father Beocca, extract from the homily of Uhtred's funeral, February 878.
Great games, Little Wars TV! I enjoyed them very much. I have already downloaded the Ravenfeast Rules and I am staying tuned for the rest of the releases. I might convert them a little for a game I am planning; it is pretty difficult to find easy to learn dark age and medieval rules that might fit both skirmishes and big battles.
So glad you guys did this immensely interesting era of history that so often gets overlooked!
OH ITS A LITTLE WARS TV VIDEO!!!
AND IT INVOLVES VIKINGS!!!!! YEEEEESSSSSS
Great stuff, thanks for allowing me to get on board with this!
Thanks for lending us your outstanding voice acting talents! You have a great channel that we hope some viewers can go discover another channel that focuses on historical wargaming!
@@LittleWarsTV Cheers guys! You're making me blush!
I thought it was Sean Bean! Tell me your from Yorkshire!
@@robbikebob LOL, I am from seven miles away from where Sean Bean was born. He's a Sheffield lad, I'm a Rotherham lad.
@@StormofSteelWargaming wow! I was born in Sheffield and live in Rotherham!! Small world!
Having Alex from Storm of Steel narrate this was brilliant. Great video.
I love it all! The table, the costumes, the models, its very immersive and fun to watch!
This is great! Thank you for releasing these rules and producing the video.
Our pleasure, Matt! This was a great project for us.
Really liked your game reports (and not even an era I war-game). Very entertaining and a welcome tonic during this pandemic. As usual, the figures and terrain were also terrific. Plus, a special mention for the impressive production of this video. You're a great asset to the hobby.
Much appreciated!
Any way I can get this guy to narrate my daily life?
Haha you can always ask like we did! Alex runs Storm of Steel Wargaming and you can hop over there to hear more of the deep English baritone! He has a very active channel with tons of historical wargaming content.
Ha ha, I'm not sure my voice would last that long!
I thought he sounded familiar! He does have a good voice. Greg and Alex do a great job at narrating...until Little Wars can afford Sam Elliot, Morgan Freeman or Mike Rowe!
Not just English but distinctly northern English. Yorkshire maybe? Don't say Lancashire!
@@robbikebob Yep, I'm from South Yorkshire. Definitely not bloody Lancashire! LOL
I'd pay to see that fight between the Friar and the Berserker!
I SMITE YOU IN THE NAME OF GOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!! Swinging his golden cross at that Berserker and running like the wind to the longboat.
Best. Scene. Ever.
Interesting, the first scenario reminds me of the viking abstract boardgame, Hnefatafl
One of your best videos! Excellent drama. I loved the surrounded shield walls and Alfred's breakout. The board on the second scenario was spectacular.
Thanks, Wes. We're currently editing a tutorial on how we made the marsh table!
Friendly fire incidents. Classic gaming comedy moments. Love these incidents in games and the humour that natural develops
The 1969 film with David Hemmings and Michael York is worth tracking down as it puts the tactics in the forefront...
Outstanding Job Guys! Thanks so much!
Lotta moving parts in this video, great work as always fellas!
That was outstanding. You guys put out some of the best wargaming content on all the tubes.
GRATE game!! Lots of fun!
Love how you guys have all the right gear in the background
I really enjoyed this video, great job! As a big-time Cornwell and Dark Ages fan, I can't wait to see more. Keep up the fantastic work!
This video was a lot of fun guys and I loved it! Excited to hear more about Ravens Feast!
Thanks guys! Really enjoy the history and gameplay.
It was great to see you guys have a blast playing the game!
Another great video - you guys really are nailing it!
I haven't seen the TV show, but I have read a lot of the Cornwell books about the Anglo-Saxon period in the UK - they are a great read.
Fantastic video! The historical background, scenario setup, narration, camera work and editing all contribute to telling the story that's playing out on the game table. Skol!
Fantastic battle report, loved it 😁👍
You guys are doing something really special. Thank you.
Thank you!
I really like this table set up. Nice work!
Brilliant guys. Really enjoyed this. Must get these rules, they look epic.
Please do more of these. Very entertaining 👍👍
Very fun to watch. Thanks!
Excellent entertainment guys ! Just downloaded Ravenfeast and am blown away by the quality !!!! Great stuff. really excited to see what you do next.
Thanks, Kim! We wanted to make the best-looking free book we could manage to encourage new players to give miniature wargaming a shot!
Great to see you guys again. Eutred will have to rest and heal his wounds before he can recover Bambrugh.
Nice job guys, looks like yall had a lot of fun.
Loved the voice over! Have that guy do some more! Loved the video! Can't wait for the next game!
That's Alex from Storm of Steel Wargaming. Check him out on TH-cam! He's awesome.
Once again Little wars you are back with amazing content.
YES been waiting for this!
awesome battle report as always !
\o/ Thank you so much for sharing and of course the free rules of Ravenfeast!
You're welcome! We've been thrilled to share them for free and try and draw in new players or those on a budget!
So happy to see Last Kingdom mentioned and I'll also be happy to play Ravenfeast
Great props this episode guys
Good God, it’s great to have you back 😁 it is more ACW plannes in the future? Those are my favorites.
And also, as a norwegian may I make a suggestion for another ravenfeast battle?
The battle of Stamford Bridge was the very heigth of the Norwegian kingdom and marks the end of the viking era. Also it is the reason Godwinson lost the battle of Hastings three week later.
Anyway, it great to have you back 😁
Love watching your shows and as a Wessexman am glad you highlighted how the costume has been so butchered. Worst Hollywood trope is swords on backs (ahhh...!)
Athelney is where he was based a site highlighted in the archaeology show Time Team.
Downloaded the rules and have some 28mm Vikings and Saxons on order because of you. Damn you!
Great channel, great videos, great idea.
Did I say damn you yet?
Just wanted to say a big thank you to you guys for the fantastic free rules . They are exactly what i ve been looking for , which is a set of rules that are easy to learn and are intuitive to play.Great job.
If you guys ever get the chance , i'd love to see more factions and maybe some ancients factions in there as well.
Adding new unit types or factions is very easy with the open points system, where you can essentially build any figure you want to represent. But yes, we've been talking about Normans or other factions as a future freebie!
Excellent! Your production values get better and better. I especially loved your frozen ponds!
Thanks, those were very easy to make! It's a sheet of frosted, crackled plastic from a hardware store with some texture and flock around the edges.
@@LittleWarsTV Thank you! I'll try that out
You guys are the best :)
Just started reading the sharpe series by that same author. So cool. Glad u guys are back.
Thank you
Great video just great
Brilliant looking game guys😃 and good pronunciation by Tony.... SKÅL!
Great game, and it bought back personal memories of one of my favourite LARPs
This is great stuff!
If the priest had the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, he could have blown up the long ship.
Excellent one of your best so far! These rules are amazing! I hope you make another set of similar rules for colonial, napoleonic, etc. (perhaps tweak these for muskets, etc????)
Cheers!
You can find a really nice laser cut Viking boat from Laser Dream Works. We used one today in our Ravenfeast game. Very fun set of skirmish rules. Great job guys.
Very enjoyable, great looking game guys, congrats.
Really enjoyed this episode :-) I'm fascinated by this period of English history and enjoy both The last kingdom TV programme and the books despite their rather cavalier attitude to historical accuracy. This game system looks great fun and ideal for the period :-)
Hey guys, at minute 5:25 you say something to the effect that in the coming weeks Little Wars TV is going to release a ton of videos to support the game. Other than the painting tutorial and rules walk through, are there any more videos coming? Thanks for all your hard work!
I live in Chippenham (Cepens Ham), so this is as close to home as it gets for me!
Well done gents. I have shared this video on the "Wargaming in the Dark Ages" Facebook group, along with a link to the Ravnfeast page.
Thanks for sharing it, Jack! That's awesome and we appreciate it!
Thanks!
So I'm absolutely loving this. I've been watching The Last Kingdom and it has been part of my gaining interest in the early middle ages. I've also been trying out some wargaming of my own using a D6 wargaming system that I've developed on my own but will check out Ravenfest for sure.
Two questions - how long did each of these games take? And does this game include any morale system where units can rout or do they default to doing exactly as the players "order" them to?
Wow! Happy to support this stuff of awesome!
Much appreciated!
So I was on the fence about buying some Victrix Anglo/Danes, then you guys put up this video....my box o minis arrives on Monday! These rules look fun and I also just picked up Clash of Spears, which can be used for Dark Age as well.
Teddy bear Fur marsh table looks good. Skermish rule games ,great fun to play,rather than watch the chaos. Great to see you guys dice chucking again.
Great vid
Great video guys!
I now have a new project for a new year!
Another great and fun wargame, good job guys!
Thanks, Trevor! Glad you enjoyed watching this one.
I must say that I find the Ravensfeast rules to be so easy and fun. I wish you guys would expand it to include the ancients and maybe even some fantasy.
There is a small fantasy supplement for it that has creatures, some new rules for them, magical weapons, and magic in general.
Great to see Zack again. Who was the narrator? He had a cool voice.
That was me! And thanks!
Have you guys seen the new ACW mini's from Warlord Games? And are you guys going to do a Battle Report on those mini's?
Great video. Love the costumes.
By the way I just found you guys and it's great you .crack me up..war , whiskey and well placed oaths!
Welcome aboard, Alex!
Omg this is so cool. I play dark ages and this is an awesome table and set up
Looks like a fun fairly simple ruleset will have to check it out.
Hey guys - great approach! Building the game on a popular TV show. Reminded me how much the GI Joe cartoon drove me to get new toys as a kid. I offer up two other thoughts on promoting the historical wargaming: 1) talk about the whisky or whiskey you drink and 2) publish a directory of wargaming clubs. Just a thought from the sidelines. cheers!
You shot the berserker, bloody fool. "But he was running towards me". ... "Christians don't have berserkers!" - best line.
Just in time for winter break
Awesome terrain. Would like to see video on how you made these boards like you did for battle of Berlin
Coming soon!
To much fun⚔️🗡⚔️ thanks boys!!!
Great idea for those of us already with Saga war bands always nice to have a different sent of rules to play
The fog is a delightful touch.
first tima watching...............bloody marvelous
Great work guys, dodgy looking Alfred 😂
There is a free set of bigger dark ages battle rules in the January(out in December ) issue of Miniature Wargames magazine.
The first scenario VERY MUCH reminds me of a game of Hnefatafl.
Love the show - this is how all war-games should presented. One point of correction - the Somerset Marshes are approximately 45 miles South West of Chippenham not 100 miles north. But this is a great looking wargame. Looking forward to reading the new rules.
I was wondering why the saxons had been in France when I saw they'd had to travel 100mile north to Somerset! 😂
Hi great game a lot of fun i live in Chippenham its nice to see the hunting lodge fight on the table one little thing the somerset marshes are south west not north .
I enjoy the recount of the history provided by the viking wearing some inaccuracies. Norse men were not known to wear beads or tablet weave as belts.
MORE WARGAMES!! YAY