Fifty years is a long time and what better way to celebrate than to reenact the greatest European invasion of Britain in 1066 in the home of collapsing borders, the Conservative Party clubhouse. Penarth Wargames club made everyone welcome and put a great little show.

There standing by the doorway like a huge pillar of masculinity was Matt Slade, he of the Midgard display team. No Lord of the Rings warg riders this time but Normans and Saxons.

It was a congested field but Midgard relies heavily on rear and flank supports. The woods on each flank negated any sideways movement but the assault on the ridge would be a tough ask.

Norman Skirmishers couldn’t dent the Saxon shield wall and now the knights were sent back down the hill.

On the right, William made it over the ridge but then all hell broke loose! The milites couldn’t quite break through the second ( and third) lines and there were ominous signs that the flight of the Bretons on the left was all too real!

It was all in the balance but then the storm broke. William was too far forward and he was enveloped by irate Saxon axemen!

Norman hopes were failing but a shout went up and Harold too fell to bite the soil.

Like the historical battle, it had been a drawn out struggle but we had run out of time! Both armies were on their last few reputations tokens and considering the losses, a draw was called!

Our thanks to Matt Slade for a splendid morning of battle. The miniatures and table were a joy and the wargame, ferocious. A great advert for Midgard!