William the Conqueror: 1061 to 1066

You have opted to take your army inland in a wide, sweeping counter-march to get at London from the west and north. The land is largely without provisions, because the local inhabitants have scattered before you and hidden much of their harvest. You are forced to break your army into three divisions in order to effectively feed your men. The eastern wing - the French, Manceaux, Boulognnias, mainly - are forced to combat the main body of the English army: Harold has left London in a rapid force-march to engage this nearest enemy division: in the uneven battle, you have lost nearly a third of your entire army, and now Harold's army has cut you off from the coast.

You gather your remaining two divisions into one force and march for the coast and Hastings. Harold's army of course is already in possession of your fortified camp and what is left of your fleet. You have no choice but fight or surrender. The battle which follows a few days later sees your remaining army outclassed by better than two to one. Your men are frightened and demoralized and hungry: you lose.