Not having anything like enough troops for Crecy yet, Dave Allen and I set up a small game based loosely on the encounter at Ariñez in 1367 when Sir William Felton’s company of men at arms and archers took a stand on a hillside when attacked by Don Tello’s Castilians supported by French men-at-arms under Arnaud d”Audrehem.

Historically the Castilian jinetes (light skirmishing cavalry) pinned down the English but despite several charges the Castilians were unable to make any real headway until the French men at arms dismounted and successfully charged up the hill to finish off the English.

We increased the numbers of troops, adding some Genoese crossbows to the Franco-Castilian force for no better reason than I had just finished painting them. To balance this we gave the English a larger force than the 400 they had historically. As I did not have any jinetes or other skirmishers we substituted my Moorish cavalry and Balearic slingers. Actually they did not seem too out of place although I am looking forward to the day when Dave’s Spanish troops are painted up in numbers. His first unit of jinetes are below

Surrounded by jinetes and slingers, the English take a stand on a hill, their flanks and rear protected by woods and rocky outcrops. The figures in the picture below are a mix of Essex, Front Rank and Percy 28mm figures. The Essex figures were painted back in 1983 and had never seen action before today. They actually represent the contingents of Arundel and Northampton.

Crossbows, slingers and jinetes to the front the Castilians advance on the English position. As happened historically the longbows outshot the Castilian missile troops and although the jinetes on the right did manage to get close enough to throw a few javelins at the English line, they were soon sent packing.

Then the Spanish men at arms decided to attack, remaining mounted. They braved the arrow storm and made it into contact with the English line but they were in such a state of disarray that after exchanging only a few blows they retreated in disorder.

It was now up to the French. As a veteran of Crecy, d’Audrehem knew better than to attempt a mounted charge, He dismounted his men and led them on foot against the English right. They met with initial success, driving back the archers who retired behind their supporting men at arms. Worn down by archery fire and the long slog up the hill the French began to give way as the English men at arms came into combat. At this point it was clear that the English would not be dislodged from their position and the Franco-Castilian force decided to withdraw.