"Northampton 1460" is a boardgame-in-a-book published by the Northampton Battlefields Society (NBS). [Alas no more. We sold out in 2022. It is available as a pdf from Wargame Vault now.]
Based upon the very successful participation game this book will enable you to refight the 1460 Battle of Northampton on your own dining room table.
This two player game, which can also be played solo, is quick to learn and easy to play for both children and adults, providing an insight to the events both preceding and during this important battle during the bloody and treacherous Wars of the Roses.
Speed of set up and play means that you can play the game multiple times over to try out different plans and strategies.
Can you change the course of history and defeat Warwick the Kingmaker?
How much does Northampton 1460 cost?
The game costs £9.99 for Society members and £12.99 for non-members. For details on how to join NBS, please look here: link. [The pdf costs £5 or equivalent in local currency]Where can I buy the game?
The game is available at Society meetings which are held on the 3rd Thursday of every month in Northampton. More details are available on our Facebook page link. We will also have copies on our stand which you will find at most large UK Wargames shows, usually together with the Society of Ancients. [Alas no more in terms of the game.]
Can I buy by post?
Yes. [No. Not any more] Email me at grahamdevans(at)gmail(dot)com about how to pay. Postage is £2.50 for UK and £5.00 for the USA and Europe for a single copy. If you want to buy more than one or live somewhere else, email me and I'll work out the cost for you.
What happens to the money?
NBS is a non-profit making organisation. All sale proceeds are used by the Society to promote its activities and to help protect the battlefields of Northamptonshire. [This is still true]
Do You have a BoardGameGeek page?
Yes. You can find it here: link
GAME FAQs and Clarifications
Which counters go on which battle pieces?
Actually it doesn't matter as the pieces are only a mechanism to keep track of the two armies' strengths. In practice, as well, we don't know exactly where a lot of people were. We can't even be certain who commanded the Lancastrian battles either. Of the ones we do know or can guess at, they go like this:
Lancastrians:
Buckingham's Battle: Buckingham
Egremont's Battle: Egremont
Shrewsbury's Battle: Shrewsbury & Grey
Yorkists:
Warwick's Battle: Warwick, Conyers, Threlkeld
Fauconberg's Battle: Fauconberg, Abergavenny (possible)
Edward's Battle: March
When Scrope or Greriffin attack what happens with the pieces?
Regardless of which one initiates the combat move both of the pieces to the "Fighting" squares. Then roll on the card of the side that initiated the fight (the outcome tables are different). One of them will lose and be removed from the board. There are no draws.
What happens if neither side has routed by the end of turn 9?
This is very rare, but possible. If the Yorkists haven't captured the King they will retire in good order and the game is resolved using the Lancastrian Victory points table. If the Yorkists have captured the King they still retire but then use the Yorkist Victory points table instead. Don't forget to roll for commander deaths for any battles that have been wiped out per page 6 of the rules.
Can I pass on any turn?
You can only pass up until the fighting starts over the fortifications.
What is a base?
A base is one of the small, square counters.
GAME VARIANTS
These are the ideas that didn't make the final cut that you might like to try.
- The original version of the game had 12 instead of 9 turns. Increasing the number of turns will increase the chances of a Yorkist victory.
- Add one to the artillery die roll for the Lancastrians from the first sun card. This will increase the chances of a Lancastrian victory
- Once battles are engaged and fighting they must all fight each turn, and the Lancastrians must try to fire their artillery.
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