Plantagenet: Cousins’ War for England, 1459 – 1485 is a standalone game and at the same time already the fourth volume in the broader Levy & Campaign series from GMT Games. Designed by Francisco Gradaille (with Volko Ruhnke), it takes the system created for the 13th-Century Baltic and reshapes it to depict the Wars of the Roses – the dynastic struggle between the houses of York and Lancaster that tore England apart in the latter half of the 15th century, culminating in the famous Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

What is remarkable about this title is that it is far more than a simple reskin of the series – it is practically a ground-up rebuild. Several core systems from Nevsky, Almoravid and Inferno were cast off and new ones added, which makes Plantagenet arguably the most approachable entry in the series for newcomers, while still challenging veterans to rethink their assumptions about what a Levy & Campaign game can be. The struggle for the loyalty of the Lords, the Parliament, the Succession and the way armies melt away and reform all give it a very distinct, very English flavor.

I had a chance to play this title extensively – which resulted, among others, in my full review of the game. My experiences, observations and suggestions I gradually converted into a set of materials which I would like to share with Dear Readers today. Enjoy!

⬆️(First Look)⬆️
We start with a general overview of the game – its theme and historical background (the Wars of the Roses), the gorgeous components, and the core concepts of the Levy & Campaign system. This section serves as an ideal introduction, allowing Readers to quickly understand what the game offers and determine whether it might appeal to them.

⬆️(Teach & Play)⬆️
Next, we examine the rules in greater detail – a thorough explanation, with examples, of how to actually play Plantagenet. We go through the sequence of play, the Lord mats, the Levy and Campaign phases, and the key concepts that drive the system. This part is more procedural and explanatory, leading the Reader step by step through how the game operates. In many ways, it can also function as a practical alternative to studying the rulebook directly.

⬆️(New Mechanics)⬆️
For seasoned Levy & Campaign players – but also for new adepts of this great system – here we have a look at the new, interesting mechanics that Plantagenet brings to the series. As mentioned above, this volume reworked the core quite substantially, so there is plenty to discuss: the loyalty of the Lords, Parliament, Succession and the specific way the Wars of the Roses are modeled. Cool stuff – especially to compare with your own observations after a few plays.

⬆️(Bosworth Battle – Example of Play)⬆️
What is the best way to learn a game? By playing it! Here we look at the most iconic engagement of the whole conflict – the Battle of Bosworth (1485 AD), where Richard III met Henry Tudor. We go through how the battle is set up and resolved, showing the array of troops, the combat sequence and the considerations behind committing your forces. All the earlier teachings, now in action.

⬆️(Storage Solution)⬆️
Last but not least – a bonus for those who, like me, care about how their games are organized. Here I present the great Storage Solution for Plantagenet from Cube4Me, which makes setup and teardown a real pleasure and keeps all those wooden blocks and mats neatly in order.

The above set will give you a solid foundation in Plantagenet: Cousins’ War for England, 1459 – 1485. If you want to see the game in action across a full campaign, I also recommend the War of the Roses replay series by Christophe Correia which I hosted on the blog (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). Also, I hope I sparked a bit of interest in you to try this title – definitely recommended!