The Fall of Bayeux is the first scenario of the Possession chapter and overall third scenario of the The Normans campaign in Age of Empires IV. It is based on the capture and razing of Bayeux, in Normandy, by the forces of Henry I of England, during the early stages of Henry's invasion of Normandy in 1105.
Intro[]
Scenario description[]
In Normandy, William the Conqueror's sons ignited a bitter feud over control of their empire.
Opening cinematic[]
William the Conqueror had recaptured York from the rebels. Now he wanted to teach them a lesson for defying him. He began a brutal campaign of destruction to crush any further resistanceโฆ known as the Harrying of the North. Villages and crops were destroyed.
It is said a hundred thousand people were killed. With ruthless efficiency, William the Conqueror had secured obedience in his new kingdom. But it wasn't to last. It would be thrown into chaos by his own children.
When William the Conqueror died in 1087, his favorite son succeeded himโฆ King William II; known as William Rufus. But 13 years into his reign, disaster struck. While out huntingโฆ he was killed.
William's youngest brother took his place, as King Henry I. But there was a problem. At the time Henry's elder brother Robert, Duke of Normandy, had been on Crusade. When he returnedโฆ he was furious that Henry had grabbed the throne.
From Normandyโฆ Robert attempted to invade England to claim the crown from his brother. But he failedโฆ and returned home. In retaliationโฆ Henry struck back. In a reversal of 1066, he crossed the channelโฆ and invaded Normandyโฆ intent on undermining his brother Robert's rule. His first targetโฆ was Bayeux.
This rich and splendid city was one of the jewels of Normandy. Henry was to begin his campaign by unleashing his forces on the city. Bayeux was about to feel the wrath of the English army.
Loading screen[]
King Henry I descended on Bayeux with the full force of his army, intent on taking what he believed was his.
Start of scenario[]
In the brotherly feud over Normandy, King Henry I set out to make an example of Bayeux, a town still loyal to his brother Duke Robert. Henry's archers took up position on high ground outside of the city and faced an immediate attack by Robert's cavalry patrol. Having deployed their palings, Henry's archers were well protected against the cavalry charge. They defeated the first patrol.
Scenario instructions[]
Starting conditions[]
- Age: Feudal Age
- Units:
- Resources: None
Objectives[]
- Destroy Bayeux
- Breach the Walls
- Destroy Bayeux's buildings
- Defeat Bayeux's defenders
- Use Crtl+0-9 to create a control group
- Group only your Longbowmen
- Group only your Spearmen
- Capture the Forest Village
- Defeat the Defenders at the Forest Village
- Build Rams
- Build a Blacksmith
- Research Siege Engineering
- Use infantry to construct Rams
Players[]
- King Henry I: King Henry I starts off leading a force of thirty Longbowmen, but will soon be reinforced by thirty more, and shortly thereafter by an additional force of thirty Hardened Spearmen, eleven Longbowmen and three additional Scouts. After reaching the "Forest Village" to the west of Bayeux and taking out the defenders, the player receive control of its buildings as well as some resources and sixteen Villagers.
Enemies[]
- Robert Curthose (French): Robert Curthose controls the fortified city of Bayeux and a few smaller settlements surrounding it. His forces consist of large numbers of Horsemen, as well as a number of Spearmen, Men-at-Arms and Archers inside the city and guarding its walls. The Forest Village is also guarded by a small garrison of Archers, Spearmen and Horsemen. They will periodically send groups of Horsemen to harass the player.
Strategy[]
A pretty straightforward scenario.
The player begins on a hill to the south of Bayeux with King Henry and a group of Longbowmen. Robert Curthose relies heavily on cavalry in this scenario, so the Longbowmen's Place Palings ability will prove quite useful. After defeating the enemy forces on the hill, the player will be given reinforcements and tasked with capturing the "Forest Village" to the west of Bayeux as a base of operations for the assault on the city. It may be a good idea to send a Scout ahead to the smaller hill just south of the city walls, as this will provide a good view of enemy movements and the Scout is hidden from view while on the hill.
Cross the bridge towards the Forest Village to the west, destroying the enemy Outposts on the way, but beware of enemy Horsemen attacking from behind. Once the Forest Village is captured, build up an economy and build some military production buildings, as well as a Blacksmith in order to research Siege Engineering. It is also a good idea to build an Arsenal and research the upgrades there to improve the player's Longbowmen, particularly the Setup Camp technology, which allows the player's Longbowmen to set up camps and heal between engagements. Since the player is limited to the Feudal Age and cannot recruit Monks, this is the only healing ability that will be available.
Build at least three rams and move all units into position to attack the city walls. As the player's rams and other units approach the enemy defenses, have Longbowmen take out the Archers on the walls, as well as any melee units which come to attack the rams. The gate at the city's northern wall is the recommended place to start the assault, however, the player should watch out to keep their units out of range of the enemy's Red Palace landmark. Be sure to make use of King Henry's ability to boost unit armor.
Although the objective asks that the player destroy Bayeux's buildings, it is not required to destroy every building in the city, as after a certain number are destroyed, the objective will be marked as complete. The city's defenders will all eventually leave their positions and attack the player's army, so the player can concentrate on destroying the military production buildings and deal with them one group at a time, rather than seeking them out. Once enough of these are killed, the scenario will complete.
Outro[]
End of scenario[]
As Bayeux burned and the people fled in terror, King Henry basked in the victory over his brother Duke Robert. But Henry would not stop until all of Normandy was back under the English crown.
Post-game screen[]
Bayeux fell to ash at King Henry's hands. For those still loyal to his brother, a terrifying example had been set.