Following work to finish off my shared article with Angus Konstam on the Marian Civil War and the Battle of Corrichie I had a chance to review my existing notes and maps for two other encounters between the representatives of the factions fighting to control the throne of Scotland and settling their own scores into the bargain.
At Tillyangus Black Arthur Forbes tried to stop a band of Gordon's from getting to Edinburgh by blocking their route south - it didn't go well for them.
At Craibstane, the Forbes family with professional troops tried to drive Adam Gordon from Aberdeen, which he was holding for the Queen. The fight took place at the edge of the town and once again it didn't go well for the Forbes family.
What makes these two battles interesting is that neither is a pitched battle. At the former the Forbes's tried to physically block the road and destroy the Gordon's against their position. At the latter Adam Gordon's men were of variable quality but many were defending their homes, fighting amongst the gardens and plots that made up the towns unfortified boundary. Tillyangus is fought hand to hand whilst Craibstane has lots of firearms and bows. The area around Clatt near which Tilllyangus was fought is still mostly open farmland, however Aberdeen has long since overrun the area over which the Gordon's and Forbes's fought at Craibstane - even the stone itself has been moved. It is possible to trace the line of the original road into town from the medieval Bridge of Dee.
So earlier this week I drew the maps for each game and had a chance to test one scenario which seemed to go ok.
As a wee taster, here are the maps for the two games.
5 comments:
Interesting little teasers there, Stuart. I have never heard of these battles, despite living the first quarter century of my life within thirty miles if Aberdeen (including four years attending the university there!) Clatt is a very evocative name.....brings to mind "Scotland the What?"......
Thanks for all of your comments.
As for Clatt, weel, ye ken fit like, it's nae far fae auchterturra.π
Where will this article be available? Having played Crabistaine at Targe I would like to give Tillyangus a go as well
Two articles on the Marian Civil War - background by Angus Konstam and some notes by me and the Battle of Corrichie by me will be in Charles Grants Wargames Annual 2023 which is at the printer at the moment.
My own book will feature Corrichie, Tillyangus, Craibstane and Corgarff, that will be available in Jan.
And I will add a freebie scenario here on Glenlivet and some scenario ideas for McLean and Spanish Allies vs Clan Donald at some point too.
Plenty 16thC scottish goodies to keep folk happy
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