Hardican Civil War - Move 2.1

After a poor start to their campaign, the Democrat/Presidential faction needed to make headway or face the possibility of forces abandoning their cause as they ran out of income.
While they held a proportion of the South-East, their grip was tenuous whereas the Parliamentary/Republican forces had a strong presence in the North and Midlands.

The map on the left shows the holds with green for Langley's Presidentials and blue for Kirby's Parliamentarians.

Utilising his strong treasury, Sir Ralph Hopton diverted coin to supporters in Newchurch and Barfold.  In Newchurch, Sir Geoffrey Morton, a long time supporter of Langley, receiving coin and orders to raise men, quickly equipped a foot unit and moved to secure Newchurch for the faction. His planned orders would then set him to march to join Langley.  Sir Francis Manderley, meanwhile, had raised a unit of horse but was not in a position to seize the contested town. His orders were to march to Hornborough, meeting with Hopton who now departed St Martins with a view to taking control of the castle

Charles Langley, feeling strongly that he had to give a lead to his supporters, gathered his forces and marched on Farren Mill, a known Parliamentarian/Republican town. In response, having been alerted to the movement of Langley's force,Thomas Kirby, Marquess Raffham sent immediate orders to Sir Lyall Wetherick in Farren Mill to raise what troops he could. He then set off on a forced march southwards, intent on reaching Farren Mill before Langley.  The result was the first battle involving the two leaders of the factions as they fought for control of the strategically placed town.

Farren Mill from the west.

Lord Stewart remained in place at Candleridge, Kirby feeling that this held a good defensive position against any further advance northwards by Langley should he win at Farren Mill and press onwards. 

Murray and his largely Highland force now marched south, seizing Greysby and prepared to march on Rivenbridge.

Realising the need to hold at Rivenbridge, Barrett sent for help from Langley's lands in Sedgewater.  Sir Wallace Campbell, who had created such a problem in the glens accepted a request to ride to Albridge where he persuaded the guilds and shrieve to demonstrate their loyalty by raising a militia (Albridge Foot) of mainly pikemen to march north in support of holding Rivenbridge.