Jours de gloire Jours de gloire

Website dedicated to Frédéric Bey wargames and articles

Au Fil de l'Epée (By the Edge of the Sword)

Introduction


Au fil de l'épée is a game series, at a tactical level, launched in 1999 and dedicated to Middle-Ages. It already exists 39 battles, published by Vae Victis issues, by Canons en Carton (DTP games) and by Ludifolie Editions. Others will follow using the same series rules.

Au fil de l'épée series include:

  1. Poitiers-Formigny (Vae Victis #26) - Poitiers 1350 and Formigny 1450.
  2. By the Edge of the Sword (Vae Victis #45) - Muret 1213, Bouvines 1214, LacPeïpous 1242 and Benevento 1266.
  3. Swords of France (Canons en Carton) - Cocherel 1364, Auray 1364, Patay 1429 and Castillon 1453
  4. The Cross and the Sword (Vae Victis #62) - Las Navas de Tolosa 1212
  5. Royal Swords (Canons en Carton) - Brémule 1119, Taillebourg 1242, Mons-en-Pévèle 1304 and Cassel 1328
  6. Swords and Crown (Canons en Carton) - Varey 1325, Baugé 1421, Verneuil 1424 and Montlhéry 1465
  7. Swords and Halberds (Vae Victis #81) - Morgarten 1315, Sempach 1386 and Grandson 1476
  8. Swords and Crusade (Canons en Carton) - Dorylaeum 1097 and Ascalon 1099
  9. Norman Swords (Canons en Carton) - Val ès dunes 1047, Gué de Varaville 1057 and Hastings 1066
  10. The Lion and the Sword (Vae Victis Collection Jeux d'Histoire) - Arsuf and Tremetousia 1191
  11. Swords of Sovereignty (Ludifolie Editions & Canons en Carton) - Bouvines 1214 and Worringen 1288
  12. The Dauphin and the Sword, Louis XI vol. 1 (Ludifolie Editions) - Fortress at Dieppe 1443, Saint-Jacques-sur-la-Birse 1444 and Montlhéry 1465
  13. The Truce or the Sword, Louis XI vol. 2 (Ludifolie Editions) - Ford of Blanquetaque 1475 and Guinegatte 1479
  14. Heroes & Kings (Vae Victis Collection Jeux d'Histoire) - Val ès dunes 1047, Taillebourg 1242, Cocherel 1364 and Patay 1429

And also:

  • Anthon 1430 (Vae Victis Hors série #6)
  • Otterburn 1388 (Vae Victis #78)
  • Neville's Cross 1346 (Vae Victis Hors série #10)

Au fil de l'épée: Antiquity is a game series launched in 2019 and devoted to the battles of classical antiquity. It relies on an adaptation of the original Au fil de l'épée in order to cope with another historical period.

Au fil de l'épée: Antiquity series includes:

  1. Alexander againts Persia, 334-331 av. J.-C. - Granicus, Issos and Gaugamela (Vae Victis Collection Jeux d'Histoire - Cérigo Editions)
  2. Nabis, The Last Spartan (Vae Victis #167)

Rate the games of this series on Boardgamegeek!


Videos











Reviews


Review of The Dauphin & the Sword and The Truce & the Sword in Vae Victis #118 (August 2014).

Review of Swords of Sovereignty (Bouvines 1214 and Worringen 1288) in Vae Victis #109 (February 2013).

Review of Swords of Sovereignty (Bouvines 1214 and Worringen 1288) in Guerres et Histoire #9 (October 2012).


After action report and players notes for Le Lion et l'Epée (Arsuf 1191) in magazine Vae Victis #95 (November 2010).


Complete analysis of the Au Fil de'l'Epée series in Vae Victis hors série #13 (June 2010).


Complete analysis of Au Fil de l'Epée series in Battles Magazine #1 (April 2009).


Au Fil de l'Epée series designer's notes, by Frédéric Bey, in Battles Magazine #1 (April 2009).



"What have the French people contributed to world history? In my view, it is not the revolution of 1789, but the spirit of chivalry."

Dai Sijie