The King's Troops at Hoggerton Moor - Part II

To the gathered Parliamentarian horror the King arrived with all his men and with single purpose of mind listened attentively to his master tactician and deployed thus according to his sage advice. The ground trembled with the approach of his horse, so many that both Parliamentarian Wings were already outnumbered before the day had even started. His infantry Pike were consolidated into one Macedonian Phalanx, some said Tercio style and wings of shot were also deployed either side. The rough ground of Hoggerton Moor was filled with his extra Shot, in particular a devilish band of men wearing Light Blue (see below for the grand scheme of things).

Disparagingly Parliament counted eleven Royalist Pistol armed Cavalry facing our seven Inferior Pistols (see below). So much for Plan A of 'Quantity' overcoming 'Quality'. A reversal of thinking was called for and the Parliamentarian Cavalry were ordered back to the centre as soon as their furry four feet could carry them.

The Phalanx of Pike caused little consternation as although large it would move slowly. As Parliament was deployed well back this meant there should be ample time to adjust to its direction. However it was clear that the King intended to win on his left and refuse on his right (see below):

The King's right was refused as he had no intention of attacking the "Swine-men of Hoggerton Hamlet" in their neatly fortified walls, hence the premature end to his line of Shot and effectively a reserve of Cavalry which still outnumbered the Parliament almost 2:1 (see below). Also note the large regiment of Blue Coated Shot, they turned out to be rather tenacious fellows, nicknamed the "Hounds of Hoggerton Moor". My "defensive" orders of hold Hoggerton Hamlet were changed to "advance and attack" the Royalist right. It would be hard to motivate my men to move out of such a defensible place, but they were neither use nor ornament there.

With the deployment completed the fine gentlemen of England supped a sack of sweet wine, were blessed by Bishops and Chaplains and then set forth on the business of war. Meanwhile the surgeons clensed their saws and knives with fire and boiled water in expectation of a busy day's and long night's work ahead.