F.A.Qs

Generals and their orders

Just remember that your personal location is where you are. When you send orders to troops the order will take time to reach them, as you are sending a messenger to your troops from your current position. So maybe make your orders clear but also to cover what happens next. ie march that regiment to York.. and then explain what you want them to do next. Otherwise when you order them to leave York the order will have to be carried from your current location to York

Farnham not Fareham for Waller
My mistake - please note ! He has some troops at Farnham

I'm a bit confused about marching/ moving distances...
Well, troops did not march very fast on poor roads in winter or summer.. I have deliberately not put in any matching speeds or given any guide to how fast troops move. Nothing can be taken for granted. Apparently the trained bands from london took 24 days to cover 41 miles during January.

Reports, orders and information

Just be aware that each general will receive news of the campaign at his current location. This means that as movement in general around the country is extremely slow, it is likely that any news received will be somewhat out of date and behind the times. 

Do you want me to uses the modern map for movement? I don't think the modern road network would work for this period.

If we just ignore motorways (altho m6 in north west and A1m can be used) and bypasses the road network is pretty much based on what has always been there- just tarmac over the mud roads; so am hoping it will generally be ok. Around the cities it maybe more of an issue but i will see how that goes

7 day turn rule
Commanders need to give strategic orders to their troops. These orders will last until circumstances change. Do not think of giving orders in terms of the '7 day turn' as i suspect this will go out of the window very soon. The umpire intends to take each campaign day as it comes. I aim to issue news to players as it becomes known (ie you may only hear on thursday about the battle that took place last monday.) Troops will follow their orders until circumstances change. Sometimes this may be on a weekly or even two weekly or monthly basis. Other times it could be daily.

My aim is to create a rolling campaign which does not rely or artificial turn dates. Daily reports will appear on the blog about events that have become known across England and Scotland.  

As an example Marston Moor happened on 2 July. The King received news that Rupert had won, Manchester killed and Leslie and Fairfax taken prisoner on the 9th July. On the night of the 12th the King received Ruperts despatch about the battle !

Are the named settlements in the rules concerning money (London/Oxford etc.) the only source of money?
Yes, unless you decide to sack a settlement, or capture a money convoy

Will you allow the creation of other "Field Forces" made up from recruits and troops drawn from garrisons?
yes but they will be small, probably very raw and not keen on going far from home. I am treating them to some extent as the local trained bands.

Navy
Parliament can split its naval forces to transport troops about. As a whole it can transport 1000 men. Split it can transport 500 men in each part- to different locations.

 On page 5 of the rules for Parliament "Powder supplies on 1 Jan" I'm hoping it should read "With Manchester 20" and not Meldrum.

yes my mistake- it should be manchester

You provide a list of settlements with garrisons- How strong are these garrisons? Northampton doesn't appear to be on either sides list at present. Does this mean that no one controls it?

Northampton is a parliamentary settlement. Garrisons can be 500- 3000 strong depending on the weather, desertion rates and general size of the town. other settlements may have garrisons too

    Does money raised in settlements and spent buying powder have to be transported to the port importing the powder? Do any other settlements (apart from those listed) have the ability to raise revenues?

Money to buy powder can be given to merchants in that settlement and they will procure it either locally or from abroad. Otherwise yes money does need to be transported for other uses etc

      There doesn't appear any mention of artillery in the rules.

see below re artillery

      I'm assuming that you will pass on messages to other players.

yes as an when weather and the road network allows

What does it mean to have the army dispersed?

its spread about the area in winter quarters and will take some time to muster together

What is the advantage?

the troops are generally warm and dry and wont desert

How long does it take to gather it together?

a few days maybe a little longer- depends on the weather and the urgency

What is the disadvantage of holding it together in the winter?

they will be cold wet and hungry probably but will still march and fight

It's snowing. It's the New Year. How likely is a campaign?

who knows- it depends how brave you/ the enemy is. would you like to march in a snow storm?

How likely is a campaign with Oxford and London being so close?

very. but oxford is well defended too and parliament darent let london be captured

I have protect orders rather than to advance. I assume I'm stuck in my location.
yes but you can interpret your orders as you wish...

Do I need historic unit names or just do it after old friends?

historic- have a look for relevant orders of battle at various times

I'll assume that the dragoons are covering the most likely routes.

Dont assume anything- give orders for each regiment.

Just be as clear as you can about what you intend to send where and what you expect them to do

What about artillery.

For now lets assume infantry forces over 4000 have a train of artillery attached anyway. Fast moving forces can detach the train if needed

Enemy commanders. current locations generally as per their historical location at end of 1643....but of course they ‘could’ in theory get shunted about. It’s common knowledge the King is based around Oxford....

 There is a line tucked away in parliament’s rules about the navy. It starts in London (dockyards ) but can transport up to 1000 troops. We assume there are general patrols around the coast and supplying the settlements under seige. but evacuations/ reinforcements/powder transports are up to you to command via the navy.

Without going too deeply into relationships... certain generals may have issues with each other/ orders they are given; so yes be aware of it