Sendoff

Introduction

This is May of the Year 1355. The King of England has decided to resume the war against France. The main objective is to advance Edwards III's claim to the throne of France and free himself from the vassal position relative to the King of France as the Duke of Guyenne. The Gascon lords are firmly on the English side and are begging Edward III to intervene in Languedoc. The Black Prince, now uncomfortably tailed by creditors, is eager to replenish his finances. Finally, dukes, Earls, lords and knights are aching for a campaign to bring honour and wealth to their names.

The time has come for a Chevauchee into France.


Phases of the Game
Here are listed four phases that possibly will take place. It is, however, unclear whether these will all happen as expected.

Mobilizing England

Actor : The Black Prince (England)
The Black Prince will launch the mobilization of his Estate according to a historical, pre-planned procedure.  The challenge is to get the expeditionary force at sea as soon as possible, then into a marching order crossing the borders of friendly territory without in order to ensure a successful raid in the year 1355. The Black Prince will have to use his leadership to make this happen as the best laid plan is likely to hit snags along the way.

The raid of 1355

Actors : The Black Prince and Earls (England), various local magistrates (France)
France is taken by surprise, but the campaigning season will be short. You are tasked to tear a wide strip of devastation from Bordeaux to Toulouse. However, the English should not destroy the property of friends on their merry way to loot and glory.

The raid of 1356

Actors : The Black Prince and Earls (England), Cardinal XXX (Holy See), King Jean of France (France)

Winter has arrived and the English forces may prepare for a new raid into France. This time, it is likely that France will not stand by while its citizens are pillaged and murdered. Can the Black Prince achieve his war objectives without being defeated in the battlefield by a much larger army of French knights?