Battle of Elfincourt

The Battle of Elfincourt was a battle fought between Bretonnia and the Wood Elves.

Although relations between Bretonnia and the Wood Elves are typically peaceful, there have been occasions when they have gone to battle. One of these occurred during the reign of King Charles VII. Machevort, Duc de Carcassonne was the one who opened the hostilities. Machevort was an ambitious and aggressive duke who cared little for honour. Thus, he attracted many disreputable and unchivalrous knights to his banner.

After Machevort consolidated his power over his own dukedom, he had to look elsewhere for new land to acquire. He dared not challenge the powerful ruler of Quenelles to the north, but land of the Wood Elves to the east seemed a tempting prize. Machevort was well aware that those who strayed into the Forest of Loren were rarely seen or heard from again, so, despite agreements between the King and the leaders of the elves, he directed settlers to enter the Wild Heath that surrounds the forest. The settlers took wood from the edge of the forest to build their settlements. They were protected by his knights, who overturned the waystones and kept patrols of Glade Riders at bay.

Because Machevort attacked in the winter, neither Orion and Ariel nor the forest spirits of Athel Loren could be expected to fend off the Bretonnians. The task fell to Herion, fifth ruler of the Kindred of Beeches, whose duty it was to protect the southwestern borders of Athel Loren. Herion mustered his army, which consisted predominantly of archers such as Glade Guard and Scouts, and prepared to meet the enemy on the open field. Determining that the plains of Elfincourt would be the most advantageous site to do battle, he dispatched his Waywatchers to lure the Bretonnians to that location.

The elven archers deployed at the edge of the forest. Across the field was the Bretonnian army. It consisted predominantly of armoured cavalry, but was also joined by a few regiments of Tilean Mercenaries. Although the Bretonnian army was numerically superior, it consisted mainly of arrogant, impetuous knights and mercenaries bought with gold. In addition, between the Bretonnians and Elves lay a muddy plain, a hindrance to cavalry.

The outcome of the battle is not known. However, the Chanson of Elfincourt is known to be a popular ballad in modern Bretonnia.

Trivia

 * The Battle of Elfincourt is explicitly stated to be based off the historical Battle of Agincourt. At the Battle of Agincourt, the cavalry-heavy French army was severely defeated by the outnumbered English, whose army consisted primarily of longbowmen. If Elfincourt turned out the same as Agincourt, it would lead to a Wood Elf victory.

Source

 * White Dwarf 233 (US)
 * pg. 42
 * pg. 43