Ermine: Men of Iron Volume VII Interview: Pierre Vagneur-Jones

 

The death of Duke John III of Brittany in 1341, just 4 years after the beginning of the Hundred Years’ War, would spark a dynastic conflict between Joan de Penthièvre, his niece, and John of Montfort, his nephew. Both sides would be backed by the Kings of France and England, respectively. Charles de Blois, Joan’s husband, was the primary military leader of the French-backed side and would be present in almost all of the battles during the conflict. Meanwhile, the Montfort faction would see numerous different ambitious and capable military leaders, who were regularly outnumbered by the French troops.

The images and rules shown here are not final.

You can find it in P500.

Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started in this hobby?

Hi! My name is Pierre Vagneur-Jones. I'm half French, half English, and have spent most of my life in the south of England. My parents live in Brittany, so I visit them often. I co-host the We Intend to Move on Your Works podcast and currently work as a developer on several games for various wargame publishers.

Like many in this hobby, I grew up playing classics like Risk and Stratego, along with other board games.

Later, I got deeply involved in the UK's indie RPG scene, which is surprisingly active and innovative. My passion for modern wargames developed during university. With a background in Ancient and Medieval History (undergraduate) and Medieval Studies (Master’s), I became interested in games that reflectthese eras. In 2018, my course-mates and I discovered the Men of Iron tripack while searching for aboard game focused on medieval combat. That discovery sparked my enthusiasm for wargaming, whichdeepened during the COVID pandemic—and the rest is history!

Why did you decide to make this game?

Men of Iron was my introduction to wargaming, and I’ve played every scenario in the tripack extensively. I’m also a fan of subsequent entries like Arquebus and Norman Conquests. What draws me to the system is its ability to create unique narratives. Each battle feels distinct, and the scale allows for dramatic, historically grounded swings in momentum.


I’ve been designing games for years—mostly RPGs—but I’ve loved exploring wargame design since university. For me, it’s about studying historical periods and finding innovative ways to portray them through gaming. The War of the Breton Succession, while largely unknown outside Brittany (and even among many Bretons), offers a treasure trove of untapped battles. Existing games typically cover the entire war or focus solely on the Battle of Auray. With Ermine, I wanted to bring lesser-known battles to life, combining historical research with engaging gameplay.

How does this game differ from others in the series?

Ermine uses the same rules as the original Men of Iron because all its battles occur during the first phase of the Hundred Years War, the focus of the original game. Richard Berg’s thesis in Men of Iron—that infantry was supplanting cavalry as the dominant battlefield force—is still central to Ermine. However, the battles in Ermine are fundamentally different, offering varied and unique gameplay compared to famous engagements like Crécy and Agincourt.


Richard Berg’s scenario design ethos greatly influenced me. He prioritized historical accuracy and playability over balance, often showcasing lopsided battles. His special scenario rules, while not always perfect, were consistently creative and insightful. In Ermine, I aim to honour this approach by highlighting the quirky and asymmetrical aspects of medieval battles, bringing history to life in unexpected ways.

What’s your favourite battle in this game?

My favourite is the Battle of La-Roche-Derrien. This nighttime engagement saw a small English force relieve a siege against a much larger French army. The English struck like lightning, capturing Charles de Blois, the French commander, before he could don his armour. This battle exemplifies the chaos and unpredictability of medieval combat. Each playtest has yielded a different outcome, showcasing the system’s dynamism. Interestingly, the favoured French side is the historical loser in this scenario.

Other battles in the game are equally intriguing. Visiting the Mauron battlefield transformed my understanding of its terrain. Unlike the featureless grasslands often depicted in medieval games, Brittany’s landscapes are hilly, forested, and dotted with villages. Mauron, for example, features marshland, steep hills, a castle, and a river—perfect for tactical challenges!

Can you recommend some books for those interested in the historical background?

This period is under-represented in English historiography, especially regarding battles. Here are some key resources:

English Books:

• The Crécy War by Alfred Burns: A short, accessible dive into the period, though the maps are flawed.
• Princely Power in Late Medieval France: Jeanne de Penthièvre and the War for Brittany. by Erika Graham-Goering: A more academic overview of the political context.
• Jonathan Sumption’s Hundred Years War series: The Breton Succession is briefly covered in Trial by Battle.

French Books:

• Jean-Christophe Cassard’s La Guerre de Succession de Bretagne: Dix-Huit Études: A deep dive into the military aspects of the war.
• Arthur Le Moyne’s Histoire de Bretagne: A comprehensive but dated (19th-century) resource.

Primary Sources:

• Robert of Avesbury’s Gestis Mirabilibus Regis Edwardi Tertii: Very useful for specific battles such as Mauron
• The True Chronicle of Jean le Bel: an accessible, affordable introduction to primary sources.
• Related but subtle in slightly different ways: The Chronicle of Jean Froissart
• The Norman Chronicle of the 14th century

Of course, I have many, many more sources I have been working with, usually from individual chapters or lone primary sources. I’ll be sure to add them all to the final product and hopefully annotate them with my insights and how each helped.