Matrix Games

We’re thrilled to announce that the third macrotopic Monumental Architecture of A Lens On - Snapshot has been completely released.

Head over to the playlist

now to catch all the pills about Monumental Architecture.

But that's not all—before we dive into the next chapter, our friend DasTactic is took us on a deep dive into Field of Glory: Kingdoms.

War, Sieges, and the Northumbrian Invasion

Field of Glory: Kingdoms is a deep grand strategy historical sandbox that richly models myriad aspects of medieval society. Our current playthrough as Wales has been an opportunity to explore these medieval intricacies, drawing inspiration from the YouTube series ‘A Lens On’ presented by Dr. Claire Kennan. The series offers bite-sized insights into medieval life, with recent videos focusing on monumental architecture—especially the construction of cathedrals.
However, in our timeline, Wales remains a petty kingdom on the fringes of civilization. Our settlements are marked by rustic wooden village churches rather than the grand cathedrals of Europe. While early civil projects, such as enhanced road networks, are becoming available, the remnants of Rome’s mighty empire—such as aqueducts and other infrastructure—are found only in larger population centers further east and south.
 

War with England and Her Vassals

As we continue our campaign, Wales remains locked in a grueling war against England and its vassals: Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria. One notable absentee is Wessex, which has chosen not to enter the war. This decision has not gone unnoticed, and tensions have begun to rise between Wessex and England. The rift could play to our advantage in the future.
 

The Siege of Hereford

Our Welsh army, composed mainly of cavalry, has been besieging Hereford, a key Marcher Lord stronghold in Mercia. However, our force, while numerous, lacks the siege capabilities necessary to bring the fortress down quickly. Hereford’s fortifications are well-maintained, and month after month, we remain encamped outside its walls. Years roll by as our cavalry-heavy force struggles to make headway against the castle’s defenses.
 

1066 Approaches

As we move toward 1066, many of the historical elements that shaped medieval Europe remain in play within our game’s timeline.

• Harold Godwinson remains the ruler of Wessex, a vassal of England.

• Harald Hardrada rules Norway and is currently actively engaged in an invasion of Scotland.

• William the Bastard continues to reign over Normandy.

However, one key event from history has already diverged. Edward the Confessor, whose death historically triggered the Norman invasion, was killed in battle by Welsh forces at the onset of our war in Mercia. As a result, King Eadric now sits on England’s crumbling throne. He has secured royal marriages with both Wessex and Norway, but without Edward’s death occurring as it did in reality, William of Normandy has no legitimate claim to the English throne. The likelihood of a Norman invasion is now greatly diminished, shifting the balance of power in the British Isles.
 

Types of Combat in Field of Glory: Kingdoms

Field of Glory: Kingdoms offers a unique approach to combat. Players can choose to resolve battles automatically or export them to Field of Glory 2: Medieval for a full tactical tabletop experience. However, certain battles—such as naval encounters and siege assaults—must be resolved within the base game.

During our live-stream, we explored the mechanics of castle assaults by save-scumming to showcase different outcomes. This illustrated just how crucial proper unit composition is for success:

• Strong infantry must carry the brunt of the assault, as castle defenders receive significant bonuses to their die rolls.

• Frontage limitations mean that small garrisons can withstand much larger attacking forces due to the confined nature of castle sieges.

• Terrain types play a major role in combat resolution:

o Hills and mountains restrict frontage, favoring heavy infantry such as Huscarls.
o Open plains allow cavalry to dominate with flanking maneuvers.

Through these lessons, we see how Wales must adapt its military strategy to overcome England’s defenses.
 

The Northumbrian Invasion

Our session concludes with an unexpected development—Northumbria launching a large-scale amphibious assault on the northern Welsh coastline.

• The Northumbrians arrive in longboats, weathered but still battle-ready.

• A harsh winter blizzard halts their advance, preventing them from immediately attacking our capital.

• In response, we reposition our cavalry army, retreating from the Mercian plains to intercept the invaders. However, we are a step too slow.

• The Northumbrians overwhelm the weak defenses of Perfeddwlad and establish themselves in the hilly passes, awaiting our counterattack.

To illustrate the challenges of attacking in difficult terrain, we simulate a battle where our forces assault the Northumbrians in the hills. The result is a decisive defeat for Wales. The battle’s narrow frontage favors the enemy’s defensive position, making a direct assault nearly impossible without severe losses.
However, this battle would be perfect for playing out in Field of Glory 2: Medieval, where a more precise tactical approach could yield a different outcome. A special video will be uploaded to DasTactic’s YouTube channel in the coming week, showcasing the battle played as a tactical tabletop experience.

Looking Ahead

As we end this session, Wales stands at a crossroads. The siege of Hereford drags on, depleting our manpower, while Northumbria’s invasion threatens our northern borders. With the historical trajectory of England altered, the future remains uncertain. Will Wessex and Norway intervene? Can Wales hold its ground against the might of England’s remaining forces? And what new challenges will arise in this ever-evolving medieval world?

Join us in the next session as we continue to navigate the turbulent landscape of Field of Glory: Kingdoms. And make sure you don’t miss any of the ‘A Lens On’ YouTube series