Viking Invasion of England 1066

Wargaming the Battles of Dark Ages

The year 1066 stands as a pivotal moment in history, marking the end of the Viking Age with its dramatic invasions of England. This era, often romanticized in the term "Dark Ages," was anything but dark for the burgeoning cultures and kingdoms that clashed over the British Isles. It was a period where the legacy of Roman dominion had faded, giving rise to frequent and fierce warfare, ideal for exploration in the realm of tabletop wargaming.

In the early 11th century, England's wealth and strategic importance made it an attractive target for Norse warriors from Scandinavia, initiating several waves of invasions that culminated in the historical Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066. This battle is not just a key historical event but also serves as an excellent scenario for a wargame, where players can explore the tactical decisions of the Viking and English forces.

 

 

The Viking forces, often referred to as the Great Viking Army, included formidable infantry and elite warriors known as huscarls, armed with the infamous Dane axe. Their tactics of shock attacks and shield walls are represented in Andy Callan’s StarterPack Rules, allowing players to engage in the visceral thrill of forming shield walls or launching surprise raids.

The Saxon armies comprised professional soldiers and local militias. The common tactic of forming a shield wall to hold ground against enemy charges can be effectively simulated in the wargame, offering insights into the strategic depth of historical battlefield maneuvers.

Using the "1066 StarterPack Rules" and WoFun miniatures, you can recreate these epic battles from that period on your game table. Andy Callan rules provides a framework for simulating the clashes between Viking, Saxons and Normans — the close-packed Saxon shield walls versus the more maneuverable Norman cavalry forces, which used a combination of heavy cavalry and missile troops.

 

 

This simple-to-learn wargaming rule set and The miniature StarterPack allows you to immediately engage with historical scenarios without the daunting task of painting armies, as the miniatures come ready-printed and can be assembled quickly.

By integrating the factual events and troop dynamics detailed in historical records with the strategic gameplay elements in the wargaming rules, you can gain a deeper understanding of the military tactics of the period. Each game played can unfold differently, offering insights into how different decisions could have led to different outcomes.

Troops Involved in the Viking Invasions of England

The Viking invasions of England in 1066 were marked by significant military engagements between the Viking forces led by Harald Hardrada and the English forces commanded by Harold Godwinson. Both armies were distinct in their composition, tactics, and strategies, reflecting their unique cultural and military traditions.

Viking Forces

Army Size and Structure:

• Army Size: Harald Hardrada's invasion force, often referred to as the Great Viking Army, consisted of approximately 9,000 to 10,000 men. This included a mix of experienced warriors and newly recruited fighters.
• Structure: The Viking army was organized into units led by chieftains and jarls, with Harald Hardrada at the head of the command structure. The army was divided into infantry, elite warriors known as huscarls, and archers. There was also a contingent of warriors loyal to Tostig Godwinson, adding to the diversity of the force.

Army Type:

• Infantry: The bulk of the Viking force was composed of infantry, typically armed with spears, axes, and swords. They wore a combination of leather and chainmail armor, with round shields for protection.
• Huscarls: These elite warriors served as the backbone of the Viking army. Huscarls were heavily armored, often wearing full chainmail hauberks and helmets. They wielded formidable weapons such as the Dane axe, a large two-handed axe known for its devastating power.

 

 

Archers: Although not as heavily relied upon as in some other armies, Viking archers provided essential ranged support, targeting enemy formations from a distance.

 

 

Tactics and Strategy:

• Shock Tactics: Vikings were known for their aggressive and brutal shock tactics. They often relied on surprise attacks, rapid movements, and overwhelming force to break enemy lines.
• Shield Wall: The Viking shield wall was a key defensive formation, where warriors interlocked their shields to create a formidable barrier. This tactic was used to absorb enemy charges and then counterattack with coordinated strikes.
• Raiding and Plundering: Viking tactics included devastating raids on settlements to disrupt supply lines and lower enemy morale. This psychological warfare was as important as physical battles.
• Combined Forces: The alliance with Tostig Godwinson brought additional forces and a deeper understanding of English terrain and tactics, which Harald Hardrada leveraged in his invasion strategy.

 

Saxon Forces

Army Size and Structure:

• Army Size:Harold Godwinson's force, raised to repel the Viking invasion, numbered between 8000 to 9000 men. This included both seasoned warriors and newly recruited militia
• Structure:The English army was organized into a well-defined hierarchy, featuring elite housecarls, thegns (local nobles), and the fyrd (militia). Harold Godwinson stood at the top of this command structure, supported by loyal earls and thegns.

Army Type:

Housecarls: The elite segment of the army, housecarls were heavily armored and carried formidable weapons such as swords and axes. They served as the backbone of the Saxon military forces.

 

 

Select Fyrd: Well-equipped local militia, the Select Fyrd consisted of somewhat trained and better-armed freemen than their Great Fyrd counterparts. Some carried protective gear and fought alongside the housecarls.

 

 

Great Fyrd: Comprising mostly peasants and freemen, the Great Fyrd was the bulk of the Saxon levy. Typically armed with rudimentary weapons like spears and axes, their armor was minimal, often only leather jerkins and wooden shields.

 

 

Archers:Saxon archers, though not as central as the Viking counterparts, provided necessary ranged support, using bows to disrupt enemy formations from a distance. 

 

 

Tactics and Strategy:

• Shield Wall:The primary tactical formation, the shield wall, was a defensive structure where warriors interlocked their shields to form a nearly impregnable barrier against enemy charges.
• Combined Arms Strategy:Saxons utilized a combined arms approach, integrating the defensive strength of the Great Fyrd with the offensive capabilities of the housecarls and the flexibility of the Select Fyrd.
• Defensive Maneuvers:Excelling in defensive strategies, the Saxons used their knowledge of local terrain and fortified positions to their advantage, effectively countering the aggressive tactics of their adversaries.
• Psychological Warfare:Reflecting their deep commitment to defending their homeland, the Saxons also employed psychological tactics, such as battle cries and symbolic gestures, to boost morale and intimidate invaders.

 

WoFun 1066 Collection & Wargaming Rules

The WoFun 1066 Collection – Peter Dennis Signature Edition offers you an excelent way to engage with one of England’s pivotal historical moments—the Viking invasions, which peaked in the monumental year of 1066.

With WoFun Minis you can bring to life on your tabletop the historical battles between Vikings, Saxons, and Normans with beautifully illustrated, ready-to-play miniatures that represent the diverse units involved in these conflicts. Each figurine is ready-printed in full color with the lovlely illustrations of Peter Dennis, eliminating the need for painting, thus allowing you to dive straight into the action. The collection features a wide range of miniatures representing Viking huscarls, Norman knights, and Saxon levy troops, each detailed to reflect historical armor and weaponry.

The WoFun Minis – Peter Dennis Signature Edition are not only game pieces but are also designed to serve as educational tools that help illustrate the structure and equipment of the various forces during the Viking invasions.

Andy Callan's 1066 Wargaming Rules

Designed by Andy Callan, the 1066 wargaming rules are tailored to beginners yet complex enough to satisfy passionate players. The rules are structured to simulate scenarios from the various military engagements of 1066, focusing on key battles such as the Battle of Stamford Bridge and the Battle of Hastings. The game mechanics are designed to be simple yet strategic, emphasizing the use of historical tactics and the importance of command and control in early medieval warfare.

 

 

Game Turns and Mechanics

The game is divided into turns, each encompassing four phases: two for shooting and two for movement, allowing both players to engage fully in the battle. The movement mechanics are straightforward yet strategic, with different units having specific movement capabilities expressed in "base widths" (BW), a flexible system that adapts to various scales of miniatures.

• Movement:Units can advance straight or at angles, with cavalry capable of charging to break enemy lines, a tactic that dramatically shifts the dynamics on the battlefield.
• Combat:When units meet on the field, dice are rolled to determine the outcomes of combat engagements. Different types of troops have unique combat capabilities and armor, influencing their effectiveness in battle.
• Shooting:Ranged units like archers play a crucial role, with rules governing their range, line of sight, and ammunition, adding a layer of tactical depth.

 

 

The collection includes more than 600 miniatures for each type of unit involved in the 1066 conflicts, bases for unit formation, and scenery pieces to recreate the diverse landscapes of 11th-century England.

 

 

The WoFun 1066 Collection with Andy Callan's rules allows you to reenact historical scenarios with accuracy and depth. By using the WoFun Minis and structured game mechanics, you can explore the strategic decisions that shaped the outcomes of the Viking invasions. This not only brings the historical narrative to life on your game table but also provides insights into the military tactics and cultural clashes of the period.

Each session played can unfold in numerous ways, highlighting how different decisions and battlefield tactics could have led to different historical outcomes.

In conclusion, the WoFun 1066 Collection – Peter Dennis Signature Edition and Andy Callan's StarterPack wargaming rules offer an accessible, engaging, and educational way to explore one of the most significant years in English history. This combination of historical accuracy and strategic gameplay provides a unique opportunity to test your tactical skills while immersing in the rich tapestry of the past.

The WoFun Team