The Ambush of John Judde

The Yorkists ambush the convoy

 

While reading David Grummitt's book "The Wars of the Roses Volume 1: The Triumph of York 1455 - 1461" I came across the following passage:

"On 2 March [1460] the Breton-turned-London merchant John Judde was commissioned to impress workmen for the King's ordnance. Judde had been involved in supplying arms to the crown since 1449 and in 1459 he had taken custody of the artillery of the attainted Yorkist lords. On 22 June, while carrying guns and other equipment between St Albans and Dunstable, Judde was ambushed and killed." (p71) 

I had never heard of this incident before and it attracted my attention due to the location "between St Albans and Dunstable". I thought, that would make a good scenario for a skirmish game ...

The Scenario

John Judde, Master of Ordnance is moving guns and equipment from St Albans to Dunstable. He has a small escort. A Yorkist force ambushes them.

Dramatis Personae

Lancastrian

John Judde, Master of Ordnance

(Thomas Elvett), Master's Mate

(William Swynton), Judde's servant

3 x Gunners

4 x Archers

6 x Billmen

The convoy consists of 2 guns and an equipment wagon. Each of these is under the supervision of one of the Gunners

Yorkist

(Sir Richard Wrawby), men at arms, wearing armour

6 x Archers

8 x Billmen

Note: Names shown in brackets are fictional.

Objectives

Lancastrian - get the convoy off the table

Yorkist - capture the guns, kill Judde   

Special Rules

Guns and the wagon only move when 1 or APs are assigned to the gunner in charge f the vehicle. If there is no figure in charge of a vehicle then it cannot move. A vehicle can be captured by an opposing figure being in base contact with it and no defending figure is in contact. A seriously wounded figure cannot be in control of  a vehicle.

Rules

"One Hour Skirmish Wargames" with my "OHSW Plus" modifications* and the Ambush rules

Several Lancastrians fall wounded

The Action

In a hard fought game Judde managed to survive the attack and get his guns away but it was a close run thing! Several of the Lancastrians were injured, some seriously.

* The OHSW Plus rules will be featured in a forthcoming post.