Words cannot describe how awesome this game is for strategy buffs. If you want to be challenged in ways you'd never thought of this is for you.

Yesterday my Scottish Forces faced the wrath of Norway. Early battles and fights had taken some Norwegian Forces out, but my main force had surged north to take out the 2 main Norwegian castles/cities. I knew as I marched forward that King Knut of Norway and his hideously large, well trained and equipped army had landed. But for some reason it headed past mine and let me siege and capture a big castle. I rapidly reinforced it to max and bang the huge 1000 odd strong Knut Army AND another 900 men attacked it.

They sieged and I knew they'd attack rather than starve me out. Queue the epic battle.

2000 well trained soldiers against an army consisting of Some Highlanders, Highland Rabble, some Peasant Archers, Mercenary Crossbowman, Mailed Knights and Border Horses.

Arrayed on the front walls were the Archers, Crossbowman and 2 units of Highland Rabble placed to counter the 2 siege towers. Gate was defended by 3 units of highlanders. 2 more highlander units were placed near likely siege tower points to reinforce. Cavalry was located down the main road into the castle center, 2 Commanders and bodyguards located with them.

The enemy disposition was interesting. Half in Front, Half Behind. The Behind lot lacked ANY siege equipment or weapons. The front lot had 2 siege towers, 1 Ram and 1 ladder equipped unit. Also , worringly 2 catapult units (4 total). I waited to see the enemies move.

First off the catapults moved into firing range on their own... I spotted this and sent in the cavalry, ripping their crews up after 1 volley of fire. Then splitting half attacked the ladders and another attacked a unit of lightly armed viking raiders who were trying to attack my engaged cavalry. At this point I attracted the attention of Knut and his veteran knights so I quickly legged it back into the castle.

Knut followed and was peppered with arrow and crossbow fire. The siege towers and ram moved in, all 3 deploying. Before the siege tower deployed archers fell back to neighbouring ramparts and the Rabble and Highlanders moved forward. The units that came up the tower got ripped apart for mild losses to the rabble. Oddly the other tower bypassed that one and attacked a side wall, unfortunatly they were sitting ducks for arrow fire and they were peppered before being attacked by highlanders. Alot of enemy units were killed by highlanders, actualy descending the siege towers to fight. At the gate the ram deployed, got mauled by boiling oil (and units trying to get in got heavily arrowed).

It broke through only for its unit to get mauled by boiling oil and highlanders waiting behind the gate. Knut and other units charged into the gate and were hammered by highlanders. Knut died at the hands of a mercenary highlander unit...

At this point the other 1000 guys moved round in 2 forces to attack the front gate. I redeployed to pepper this lot with arrows and they took heavy losses. The cavalry (with my generals) sallied forth and took out a lot of infantry (All the units had triple veterancy and some were into 5 levels)

Of the 1900 men that went in 975 were dead and 700 were captured. They refused to pay for them..

Norway was defeated a few turns later. Now comes the irish who have randomly attacked 2 crap islands.