501 AD - Disaster at Buckenham

In early 501, the Earl of Huntington decided, after counsel with his senior knights, to force the Saxon invaders in Anglia to battle. We marched after the Spring planting.

Sir Gwynnod was given command of the southern wing of the force. We came upon a poor Anglian village that had been ravaged by the Saxons. We tracked them, and were alert enough to not walk into their ambush.

The skirmish was brief, with the men of Huntington cutting down many Saxons. We took only a few minor wounds.

Sir Dalen, famed Saxon hater, proved fearless. He singlehandedly engaged the Saxon warleader and his bodyguard. They all fell under our blades, and Dalen strung them up in the trees to show other Saxons what we do to invaders.

Prisoners had told us that the Saxons were massing to meet us at Buckenham. While marching there, Sir Gwynnod's eagle-eyed scouts reported the Saxons were trying to use the cover of the forest to attack our flank. We turned and prepared for battle.

Sir Gwynnod was given command of the left flank. Unfortunately, this is where the Saxons chose to mass their strength. We were charged by the Saxon king and his retinue of naked berserks. Sirs Sarf, Clydlee and Dalen were cut down by their great axes in the initial charge. Sir Gwynnod, inspired by the certainty of his impending doom, slashed open both Saxon giants that faced him, but they refused to die.

Sir Gwynnod could not abandon the flank, and valiantly died trying to rally the men as they broke.

With the left flank decimated, the army of Huntington was routed from the field. There are many widows hoping for husbands back home.

To be continued...