Chanson de Geste

Miniature Battles of the High Middle Ages

Figure Scale: This game is designed for use with 25mm/28mm miniatures, but can be used with smaller miniatures by increasing the number of figures per base, or by reducing all measurements (centimeters instead of inches, dividing by 2, etc.)

Equipment Needed: Armies of 10 to 20 units (typically 2 to 6 bases each) are needed, one per side. Table and terrain requirements are normal. Rulers/tape measures in inches are needed. Six-sided dice are optional (you can use either the app or dice for combat resolution).

Type of Game: Tabletop competitive grand-tactical battle game for recreating full-scale battles.

Link to App: Chanson de Geste

Rules and Guidelines for Play: HTML PDF

Naval Supplement: HTML PDF

Download Installation: ZIP (Unzip on local machine and open the file "ChansonIndex.htm".)

Introduction

The High Middle Ages featured many conflicts, some well-known and others more obscure. This is the era of the Crusades, the Scottish Wars of Independence, and the Baron's Wars, but it also features fighting in Italy (the Holy Roman Empire), in the East (against the Mongols, Lithuanians, Slavs, etc.) and closer to home between the French, Flemish, and English (the "first Hundred Years War", as it is known on France), and in Spain, where the Reconquista was underway. The period offers many different battles, with a wide range of armies.

These conflicts had some common aspects: the charge of the heavily armored knight was viewed as the ultimate tactic, although it could be beaten by clever and well-prepared enemies. Leadership was from the front - the famous knights of the era, whose deeds were the celebrated in the "chanson de geste", were living examples of courage and skill at arms. This game system is designed to emphasize the role played by the knightly classes in this era. They will charge in an undisciplined manner, even riding down their own foot soldiers, and they can be lured into traps by their social inferiors. Unlike more generic systems for the whole of "Ancients and Medievals", Chanson de Geste captures the specific feel of a period which saw the true glory of chivalry, for both good and bad.

The game is optimized for both remote and convention play, and is intended for these reasons to be used with 25mm/28mm figures. With the colorful clothing and banners of this era, the larger figures allow for great tabletop spectacles! Games play quickly, typically lasting 2-4 hours. The game app handles all chart look-ups and (if you choose) dice-rolling, keeping players focused on the battle, rather than on the rules.

The Game App

The game app performs all calculations, giving players the choice to do their own dice-rolling or have the device do it for them. Initiative passes back and forth between sides frequently, to keep players engaged. The app itself is simple, with only a single screen (depicted below), and serves to speed play. It can be run simultaneously on more than one device for large games.

So call up the levy and assemble your retainers - it is time to ride out and perform the deeds which will become your own Chanson de Geste!