War of the Roses

1455-1487

Special Thanks to: The Panzer Depot

 War of the Roses
1455-1487 AD

The main goal in the civil wars was political power rather than control of territory, so the campaigns of the Wars of the Roses were War of the Roses
brief and ended in battles. This was not due to lack of military skill; many of the nobles who commanded in the 1450s had Timeline
experience in the French wars, and younger captains like Somerset, Warwick, and Edward IV, who learned from experience, were
capable soldiers. It was desirable to limit campaigns to avoid causing damage by foraging, and to reach a conclusion before the Date Event
levies dispersed. 1421
6 December Henry VI born
The Calais garrison of over 1,000 men was England's only standing army. The government also paid the wardens of the northern 1429
marches (usually from the rival Neville and Percy families) to retain a few hundred soldiers, but their private forces were more 23rd March Margaret of Anjou born
important. French and Burgundian rulers supplied mercenaries to back invasion in 1470-71 and 1485-87. Their importance grew as 1442
noble participation in the wars declined after 1461. The major source of soldiers was noblemen's retainers and tenants. The Percys 28 April Edward IV born
and Nevilles could field up to 10,000 men each for short periods, many of whom were experienced in border warfare. The 1450
reluctance of tenants to serve far from home, and the nobles' ability to pay them were the main limitations. August Return of Richard, Duke of
York from Ireland
Archers predominated, outnumbering "men-at-arms by seven or more to one. English archers were highly rated in Europe. In the 1453
civil war battles both sides had them and they were less influential than in the Hundred Years' War, their main function being to December Henry VI first bout with
cover the men-at-arms and to break up defensive formations. Other footmen were armed with bills (poleaxes). The elite men-at- mental illness
arms, all landowners, were encased in expensive amour. Nearly all battles of the civil wars became slogging matches in which the 1454
men-at-arms on foot played the dominant role, though cavalry were also used. Most armies had field artillery; although this was April Start of York's first
used only at the start of battles because its rate of fire was relatively slow; mounting it in field defenses went out of fashion after protectorate
1460. 1455
February End of York's first
protectorate
Army Composition 22nd May Wars of the Roses begins
22nd May Battle of First St. Albans
High Lord’s
Army 1459
Retinue 23rd Battle of Blore Heath
Commander September
(2-8 units)
12th October Battle of Ludford Bridge
1460
Noble Lord’s Noble Lord’s Commissioner 10th July Battle of Northampton
Core 30th December Battle of Wakefield
Retinue Retinue of Array
Divisions (1-6 units) (1-6 units) (2-8 units) 1461
2nd February Battle of Mortimor's Cross
17th February Battle of Second St. Albans
Scottish Northern Border Mercenary 28th March Battle of Ferrybridge
Allied 29th March Battle of Towton
Force Force Band
Divisions (3-5 units) (3-5 units) (3-5 units)
1464
25th April Battle of Hedgeley Moor
15th May Battle of Hexham
Skirmish 1469
Skirmish Division 26th July Battle of Edgecote Moor
Division (2-4 units)
1470
12th March Battle of Losecote Field
4th November Edward V born
DIVISIONS 1471
 You must recruit a high lord’s retinue, led by the army commander, and a noble lord retinue led by a battle leader. 14th April Battle of Barnet
 You can recruit up to two other divisions chosen from the diagram above, each led by a battle leader (except for the skirmish 4th May Battle of Tewkesbury
division, which does not need a battle leader). 21st May Henry VI dies
1483
 All units are chosen from the War of the Roses unit list on pages 4-7. 9th April Edward IV dies
1485
BATTLE LEADERS ADDITIONAL SCOUTS 22nd August Richard III is killed at the
battle of Bosworth
Your first two battle leaders (one of whom is your army commander) are free. You can recruit extra scouts for your army.
22nd August Battle of Bosworth
You will need to spend points to recruit more for you army. The first additional scout cost you 10 pts if on 1487
Battle Leader Cost Trophy foot or 15 pts if mounted, your second costs 16th June Battle of Stoke
you 20 pts if on foot or 30 pts if mounted, your 16th June Wars of the Roses ends
Army Commander Free 4
third costs 30 pts if on foot or 45 pts if
2nd Battle Leader Free 1 mounted, and so on (40/60, 50/75, 60/90, etc.).
3rd Battle Leader 50 pts 1
4th Battle Leader 75 pts 1
 High Lord’s Retinue
This division contains 2-8 units chose from the categories listed below.

Army Standard Noble Retainers (1-6)

You can field an army standard for 75 points.
The army standard must be attached to a unit in the High Lord’s
Bataille. The full rules for army standards can be found in the
Deus Vult rules book on page 79.
Household Retainers (1-3)
You must recruit at least one of the following units for this
division:
 Dismounted Men-At-Arms (1-2 units)*
 Mounted Men-At-Arms (0-1 units)**
 Retinue Longbow (0-1 units)***
* Dismounted Men-At-Arms must be upgraded to Royal Men-At-Arms.
** Unit of Mounted Men-At-Arms can be upgraded to Royal Guard Men-
At-Arms.
*** Unit must take armor upgrade option and can take professional
upgrade.
Mercenary Troops (0-2)
You may recruit up to two of the following units for this
division:
 Mercenary Pikemen (0-1 units)
 Mercenary crossbowmen (0-2 units)
 Breton Javelinmen (0-2 units)
Artillery Line (0-1)
You may have one of the following units for this division
 Cannons (0-1 units)
 Bombards (0-1 units)
You must recruit at least one of the following units for this
division:
 Dismounted Men-At-Arms (0-1 units)*
The name "Wars of the Roses" refers to the
 Retinue Billmen (0-4 units)**
 Retinue Longbow (1-4 units)** Heraldic badges associated with the two
royal houses, the White Rose of York and
* 1 Dismounted Men-At-Arms may be upgraded to Royal Men-At-Arms.
the Red Rose of Lancaster.
** Units may take the armor upgrade option.
County Militia (0-4)*
You may recruit up to four of the following units for this The Yorkist faction used the symbol of the
division: white rose from early in the conflict, but
 Militia Billmen (0-2 units) the Lancastrian red rose was apparently
 Militia Longbowmen (0-2 units) introduced only after the victory of Henry
Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth, when it
* Army may not have County Militia and Allied Troops in the was combined with the Yorkist white rose
same army. to form the Tudor rose, which symbolized
Allied Troops (0-3)* the union of the two houses.
You may recruit up to three of the following units for this
division:
 Welsh Spearmen (0-1 units)
 Welsh Longbowmen (0-2 units)
 Irish Kerns (0-3 units)
* Army may not have County Militia and Allied Troops in the
same army.

Noble Lord’s Retinue

This division contains 1-6 units chose from the categories listed below.

Noble Retainers (1-6) County Militia (0-3)*

You must recruit at least one of the following units for this You may recruit one to three of the following units for this
division: division:
Archers
 Dismounted Men-At-Arms (0-1 unit)  Militia Billmen (0-2 units)
 Retinue Billmen (0-3 units)  Militia Longbowmen (0-2 units) War of the Roses armies contained
 Retinue Longbow (1-3 units) large quantities of Longbowmen.
* Army may not have County Militia and Allied Troops in the While these troops were often
Outriders (0-2) armored and armed with swords, they
same army
You may recruit up to two of the following units for this division typically did not join in melee. Men-at-
 Currours (0-2 units)
Allied Troops (0-3)* arms and billmen would support them
You may recruit up to three of the following units for this and move through them to engage any
division: approaching enemy.

 Welsh Spearmen (0-3 units) When taking longbowmen and billmen

 Welsh Longbowmen (0-3 units) units from either the Noble Retainers
 Irish Kerns (0-3 units) or county militia groups, you must
 Breton Javelinmen (0-3 units)  Take a longbowmen unit before
taking a billmen unit.
* Army may not have County Militia and Allied Troops in the  The longbowmen unit must be as
same army large or larger than the billmen
unit.
Commission of Array  You can never take more Retinue or
This division contains 2-8 units chose from the categories listed below. county billmen units than retinue
and county longbowmen units in a
division.
County Militia (2-6) Mercenary Troops (0-2)
You must recruit at least two of the following units for this You may recruit up to two of the following units for this
division: division:
 Militia Billmen (2-6 units)  Currours (0-1 units)
 Militia Longbowmen (0-4 units)  Mercenary Pikemen (0-2 units)*
 Mercenary crossbowmen (0-2 units)
*No unit size can be 8 stands
 North England

Mercenary Band
This division contains 1-6 units chose from the categories listed below.

Mercenary Troops (1-6) Allied Troops (0-3)

You must recruit at least one of the following units for this You may recruit up to three of the following units for this
division: division:
 Mercenary Pikemen (0-3 units)*  Welsh Spearmen (0-2 units)
 Mercenary crossbowmen (1-4 units)  Welsh Longbowmen (0-2 units)
 Mercenary Handgunners (0-1 units)  Irish Kerns (0-1 units)
 Breton Javelinmen (0-2 units)
*one unit of Mercenary Pikemen must have more stands than any other
Mercenary Pikemen units.

Scottish Allies
This division contains 1-6 units chose from the categories listed below.
Although occupying a quarter of the
Scottish Bataille (2-6)* Mercenary Troops (0-3) total land area of fifteenth-century
England, the six northern counties of
You must recruit at least two of the following units for this You may recruit up to three of the following units for this
division: division: Cumberland, Durham, Lancashire,
Northumberland, Westmorland, and
 Scottish Men-At-Arms (0-2 units)  Mercenary Pikemen (0-2 units)*
Yorkshire held only about 15 percent of
 Scottish Spearmen (1-4 units)  Mercenary crossbowmen (0-2 units)
 Scottish Archers (0-4 units) the country’s population, with about
*No Unit can be 8 stands .
two-thirds of that number resident in
* no Scottish units may be taken if any allied units are taken in
Yorkshire.
the army.

Northern Border Force Though far from London and subject to

the raids and disorders on the Scottish
This division contains 1-8 units chose from the categories listed below.
border, the northern counties of England
played a larger role in the Wars of the
Northern Border Bataille (1-6) Scottish Bataille (0-2)** Roses than the region’s lack of wealth
You must recruit at least two of the following units for this You may recruit up to two of the following units for this and population seemed to warrant.
division: division:
 Northern Border Horsemen (0-2 units)  Scottish Spearmen (0-2 units)
 Northern Border Light Horsemen (0-1 units)*  Scottish Archers (0-2 units) During the conflict, the region witnessed
 Northern Border Billmen (0-4 units) four battles, including various
 Northern Border Spearmen (0-4 units) Lancastrian and Scottish incursions in
** no Scottish units may be taken if any allied units are taken in
 Northern Border Longbow (0-4 units) the early 1460s; supported several
the army.
*One unit of Northern Border Horsemen (non-skirmish cavalry) must be important uprisings, such as the Robin of
taken before any other unit may be upgraded.
Redesdale Rebellion in 1469; and
Skirmish Division provided numerous recruits to armies of
both sides, but especially to the forces of
This division must be deployed as the vanguard of your army;
You do not need a battle leader for this division. the house of Lancaster.

Skirmishing Troops (2-4)

You must recruit at least two of the following units for this division:
 Mercenary Handgunners (0-2 units)+  Irish Kerns (0-4 units)
 Currours (0-2 units)++  Breton Javelinmen (0-4 units)
+No unit of Mercenary Handgunners can have four stands. Can only be  Northern Border Light Horsemen (0-1 unit)+++
deployed in ambush. +++ Army must include other Northern Border units in it to before
++ Must deploy as skirmish cavalry. skirmish division can include this unit.
War of the Roses Troops Harden Plate
The following are troops that can be used for both sides of the conflict. Some exceptions will be found in the allies sections.
The quality of plate mail continued
to improve over time; and by the
Dismounted Men-At-Arms Retinue Longbowmen War of the Roses, knights and
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield men-at-arms encased in their
4" 2 3 6 3 No 4" 2 1 4 1 No armor were very difficult to kill.
Type: mêlée infantry Type: missile infantry
Equipment: Full Plate Mail; Two-Handed Weapons Equipment: Quilted Armor; Sword; Longbow (36"/9")
Traits: Martial Prowess; Inspiring Presence; Cleaving Strike; Traits: Blacken the Sky
Harden Plate Reactions: Closing Volley
Reactions: Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
4 Stands 24 130 3
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
6 Stands 36 190 4
2 Stands 12 110 2
8 Stands 48 250 5
3 Stands 18 185 3
4 Stands 24 260 4
Options
 Units may upgrade its armor to mail armor, the defense
Options
value increases to 2.
 Household. One 2 stand unit may be upgraded to
4 Stands: +15; 6 Stands: +20; 8 Stands: + 30.
household retainer men-at-arms. The Units Discipline is Effect
 Unit may be upgrade to Royal Archers, increase discipline,
increased to 3 and it gains the bodyguard and unstoppable
courage and resilience by 1.  Dismounted Men-at-Arms have
trait. 2 Stands: +40 a defense 3 from all attacks.
4 Stands: +30; 6 Stands: +40; 8 Stands: + 50
 May swap out two handed weapon for sword and shield,  Units do not take disorder test
increase defense to 4 and add shield, but lose cleaving when taking one or more
strike. 2 Stands: +10; 3 Stands: +15; 4 Stands: +20 Mounted Men-At-Arms strikes from the flank (pg. 47).
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
 Units treat Rough terrain as
8" 2 3 6 3 No
Retinue Billmen Type: mêlée cavalry
Disruptive and disruptive
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield terrain as Treacherous terrain
4" 2 1 5 1 No Equipment: Full Plate Mail; Lance; Sword when charging into or through
Type: mêlée infantry such terrain.
Traits: Martial Prowess; Maneuverable; Lance Charge;
Equipment: Quilted Armor; Pronged Bill Halberd
Piercing Strike; Harden Plate
Traits: Long Spears; Cleaving Strike
Reactions: Counter Charge
Reactions:
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy 2 Stands 4 95 2
4 Stands 24 160 3 3 Stands 6 150 3
6 Stands 36 230 4 4 Stands 8 200 4
8 Stands 48 300 5
Options Retinue
Options  One 3 stand unit may be upgraded to royal guard. Unit In the social system known as
 Units may upgrade its armor to mail armor, the defense Courage increase to 3 and gains the bodyguard, fanatical bastard feudalism, members of the
value increases to 2. assault and unstoppable traits. 3 Stands: +40 peerage and gentry recruited
4 Stands: +15; 6 Stands: +20; 8 Stands: + 30. sworn followers known as
Currours retainers to provide a particular
type of service in return for
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
monetary fees or the exercise of
10" 2 1 5 2 No
the lord's influence on their behalf.
Type: mêlée cavalry
Equipment: Mail Armor; Lance; Sword; Javelin (6"/6") To clearly proclaim a retainer's
allegiance, especially in battle, a
Traits: Maneuverable; Independent; Lance Charge; Throwing
nobleman often supplied his
Weapon; retainers with a special livery (i.e.,
uniform) or with his personal or
Reactions: Evade; Parthian Shot; Ambush
family badge.
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy Effect
3 Stands 6 85 3  Dismounted Men-at-Arms and
4 Stands 8 115 4 Retinue Billmen may pass
6 Stands 12 160 5 through Retinue Longbowmen
without taking a disorder test
Options and vice versa.
 If deployed in the Skirmish Division, they should take the  Retinue Longbowmen can be
Skirmish option. passed through by Dismounted
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy Men-at-Arms and Retinue
2 Stands 4 45 0 Billmen even if in deep
3 Stands 6 75 0 formation without a test as
4 Stands 8 105 0 well.
Militia Billmen Mercenary Handgunners
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
4" 1 0 3 1 No 6" 2 1 4 0 No
Type mêlée infantry Type: skirmish infantry
Equipment: Quilted Armor; Pronged Bill Halberd Equipment: Handguns (24"/24")
Traits: Cleaving Strike; Long Spears Traits: Maneuverable; Mercenary; Slow to Shoot; Devastating
Reactions: Volley;
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy Reactions: Evade; Ambush
4 Stands 24 130 3
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
6 Stands 36 190 4
2 Stands 6 30 0
8 Stands 48 250 5
3 Stands 9 44 0
4 Stands 12 60 0
Options
Options
 Unit may upgrade its armor to quilted armor, increase the
defense value to 1.
Militia Longbowmen 2 Stands: +5; 3 Stands: +10; 4 Stands: + 15.
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
4" 1 0 3 0 No
Type: missile infantry Welsh Spearmen
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
Equipment: Sword; Longbow (36"/9")
4" 1 1 3 1 Yes
Traits: - Type: mêlée infantry
Reactions: Closing Volley Equipment: Shield; Spear
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy Traits: Long Spears
2 Stands 12 45 1
Reactions: Shielding; Spear Hedge
3 Stands 18 70 2
4 Stands 24 90 3 Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
4 Stands 24 95 3
Options 6 Stands 36 140 4
8 Stands 48 180 5

Options
Mercenary Pikemen
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
4" 2 1 3 1 No Welsh Longbowmen
Type: mêlée infantry Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
Equipment: Quilted Armor; Pike 4" 1 1 2 0 No
Type: missile infantry
Traits: Mercenary; Long Spears; Unwieldy
Equipment: Sword; Longbow (36"/9")
Reactions: Spear Hedge
Traits: -
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
4 Stands 24 90 3 Reactions: Closing Volley
6 Stands 36 130 4 Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
8 Stands 48 175 5
4 Stands 24 90 2
6 Stands 36 135 3
Options
8 Stands 48 175 4

Options
Mercenary Crossbowmen
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
4" 2 1 3 1 No Irish Kerns
Type: missile infantry Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
6" 1 1 2 0 No
Equipment: Quilted Armor; Sword; Crossbow (30"/15") Type: skirmishing infantry
Traits: Mercenary; Slow To Shoot; Devastating Volley; Equipment: Javelin (6"/6")
Reactions: Closing Volley Traits: Maneuverable; Rabble; Throwing Weapon; Unruly;
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy Frontiersmen
2 Stands 12 50 1
3 Stands 18 80 2 Reactions: Evade; Parthian Shot; Ambush
4 Stands 24 100 3 Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
2 Stands 6 20 0
Options 3 Stands 9 35 0
4 Stands 12 50 0

Options
 Unit may upgrade its armor to quilted armor, so the
defense value increases to 1.
2 Stands: +5; 3 Stands: +10; 4 Stands: + 15.
Breton Javelinmen Northern Border Longbowmen
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
6" 1 1 2 0 No 4" 1 0 3 0 No
Type: skirmishing infantry Type: missile infantry
Equipment: Javelin (6"/6") Equipment: Sword; Longbow (36"/9")
Traits: Rabble; Belligerent; Unruly Traits: Blacken The Sky; Unruly
Reactions: Evade; Parthian Shot; Ambush Reactions: Closing Volley
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
2 Stands 6 20 0 2 Stands 12 50 1
3 Stands 9 30 0 3 Stands 18 75 2
4 Stands 12 40 0 4 Stands 24 100 3

Options Options
 Unit may be from major border lord, the units Courage is
increased to 1.
4 Stands: +10; 6 Stands: +15; 8 Stands: + 20.
Northern Border Spearmen
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
4" 1 0 3 1 Yes Northern Border Horsemen
Type: mêlée infantry Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
12" 1 1 3 1 Yes
Equipment: Quilted Armor; Shield; Spear
Type: mêlée cavalry
Traits: Long Spears; Unruly
Equipment: Quilted Armor; Spear, Shield
Reactions: Shielding; Spear Hedge
Traits: Maneuverable; Lance Charge; Unruly
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
Reactions: Counter Charge
4 Stands 24 80 3
6 Stands 36 120 4 Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
8 Stands 48 155 5 3 Stands 6 70 3
4 Stands 8 90 4
Options 6 Stands 12 135 5
 Unit may be from major border lord, the units Courage is
increased to 1. Options
4 Stands: +10; 6 Stands: +15; 8 Stands: + 20.

Northern Border Billmen Northern Border Light Horsemen

Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
4" 1 0 3 1 No 12" 1 1 2 1 No
Type: mêlée infantry Type: skirmish cavalry
Equipment: Quilted Armor; Pronged Bill Halberd Equipment: Quilted Armor; Spear, javelin (6”/6”)
Traits: Cleaving Strike; Unruly Traits: Independent; Belligerent; Unruly; Feigned Flight
Reactions: Reactions: Counter Charge, Evade
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
4 Stands 24 100 3 2 Stands 4 20 0
6 Stands 36 150 4 3 Stands 6 30 0
8 Stands 48 200 5 4 Stands 8 40 1

Options Options
 Unit may be from major border lord, the units Courage is
increased to 1.
4 Stands: +10; 6 Stands: +15; 8 Stands: + 20.
Scottish Men-at-Arms Cannons and Bombards
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield
4" 1 2 6 4 No - 2 1 5 0 No
Type: mêlée infantry Type skirmish infantry
Equipment: Full Plate Mail; Two-Handed Weapons Equipment: Cannon (48”/15”)
Traits: Martial Prowess; Impetuous; Determined Charge; Traits: Cannon Volley; Slow to Shoot; Unmovable
Cleaving Strike; Harden Plate Reactions: -
Reactions: Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
2 stands 2 55 1
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
4 stands 4 120 2
2 Stands 12 140 3
6 stands 6 165 3
3 Stands 18 240 4
4 Stands 24 350 5
Options
 Bombard. unit may be upgraded to bombards (54”/0”). Unit
Options
loses Cannon Volley trait. Each unit has a base shooting
score of 3 per stand. The Killing Strikes cannot be saved
and the models are removed as casualties. Intervening units
Scottish Spearmen do not block line of sight as long as they are more than 1”
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield away from the bombard and the target.
4" 1 2 4 1 No 2 Stands: +20; 4 Stands: +40; 6 Stands: + 60.
Type: Type: mêlée infantry  Light Cannon. Unit may be upgraded to light cannon. Unit
loses unmovable and gains light carriage trait.
Equipment: Quilted Armor; Shield; Spear 2 Stands: +10; 4 Stands: +15; 6 Stands: + 20.
Traits: Impetuous; Long Spears
Reactions: Shielding; Spear Hedge Cannon
Requirements: unit not engaged in close combat. May only
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy fire the stands that have a line of sight to the intended
4 Stands 24 110 3 target.
6 Stands 36 155 4 Cannon Volley: each unit has a base shooting score of 3 per
8 Stands 48 200 5 stand. Each killing strike adds 2 to the strike total. The
Killing Strikes cannot be saved and the models are removed
Options as casualties.
Unmovable. Unit cannot be given advance, charge or push
forward commands. The unit must be placed in command
of its battle leader when deploying. The unit routs if it is
Scottish Archers pushed back in melee.
Move Discipline Courage Resilience Defense Shield Light carriage. Unit cannot be given advance or charge
4" 1 1 3 0 No commands. It can be given push forward command though
Type: missile infantry it does not gain any extra move distance when it rolls a 1 on
Equipment: Sword; Longbow (36"/9") its discipline test. The unit routs if it is pushed back in
melee.
Traits: Blacken The Sky
Reactions: Closing Volley
Unit Size Models Cost Trophy
2 Stands 12 50 1
3 Stands 18 80 2
4 Stands 24 110 3

Options