Historical Battles (ETW)
Empire: Total War has five standalone historical battles, or scenario battles. You can access them through the Single Player menu by choosing Play Battle, and from the following window the Scenario option.
Contents |
Battle of Brandywine Creek
Opponents: 
v 
Year: 1777
Battle type: Land
Introduction
After landing from his transport ships on the American coast, Major-General Sir William Howe led the British troops eastwards, with the intention of capturing Philadelphia.
In preparation, American General George Washington readied most of his units to defend from this frontal assault around the narrow crossing of Chad's Ford on the Brandywine. The Creek flows through the countryside of Pennsylvania, enveloped by sheer cliffs and heavily wooded hills on both sides. Knowing that much of fast-flowing creek could not be crossed, Washington was confident of holding his position.
However, more detailed surveillance of the terrain would suggest that alternative routes could turn the battle in the favour of the British.
Battle of Fontenoy
Opponents: 
v 
Year: 1745
Battle type: Land
Introduction
The War of the Austrian Succession had its roots in the ancient Salic law that said no woman could inherit the Holy Roman Empire. Despite this, Maria Theresa succeeded to most of her father's possessions, and there was an understanding among many German princes that her husband could be elected Emperor. Frederick II of Prussia, however, used the dispute to invade Silesia in 1740 to enhance Prussian power and prestige.
The war quickly became a European affair as old enmities surfaced once again. The French, naturally, opposed the Austrian Hapsburgs.
In 1745, at Fontenoy in the Austrian Netherlands, a French army under the redoubtable Marshal de Saxe, clashed with a Anglo-Dutch-Hanoverian force. The battle was an extremely bloody one, with eventually the French left holding the field against a massed infantry assault by the British and their allies.
The British defeat encouraged the French to stir up rebellion in Scotland, leading directly to the landing of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite rising of "the '45".
Battle of Lagos
Opponents: v
Year: 1759
Battle type: Sea
Introduction
As so often in 18th Century warfare, French plans to invade England during the Seven Years War were reliant on ships from the naval base at Toulon joining ships from Brest. The British had both ports blockaded, and the French had to wait for one of the blockading fleets to withdraw for re-supply before attempting any rendezvous.
The opportunity came when the British fleet under Admiral Boscawen at Toulon withdrew to Gibraltar. The French under Jean-François de la Clue-Sabran left Toulon, and began to make their way towards Brest. Passing the Straits of Gibraltar, the French were spotted by Boscawen’s lookout ships.
Giving chase, Boscawen’s fleet was only slightly larger than the French force, and caught up with them off the coast of Portugal where battle was joined.
Take control of the British and defeat the French to end the invasion threat to Britain.
Historically, the French fleet separated and Boscawen’s fourteen ships defeated seven French ships.
Battle of Porto Novo
Opponents: v
Year: 1759
Battle type: Sea
Introduction
Because it took a long time for messages and ships to reach India from Europe, British Royal Navy admirals often found themselves having to make do with inferior forces against superior French forces, no orders and no reinforcements.
Vice-Admiral George Pocock found himself in this situation in 1759 during the Seven Years War. His smaller and less powerful force had already fought two indecisive battles with a French fleet under the Comte ďAché.
He would now have to fight once again. This time, however, Pocock would be on the offensive near the French base at Pondicherry. If he could beat the French, control over the Indian Ocean would pass to the Royal Navy, and the French would have to withdraw. Pondicherry would almost certainly fall, and the French would no longer have a base in India.
Take control of Pocock’s outnumbered and outgunned fleet as you seek the defeat of the French. Historically, this battle ended indecisively on a tactical level, but the advantage went to the British and gave them control of the Indian Ocean.
Battle of Rossbach
Opponents: 
v
Year: 1757
Battle type: Land
Introduction
At the outbreak of the Seven Years War Prussia was surrounded, and Frederick II of Prussia marched into Saxony and defeated the Austrians at the Battle of Lobositz. He then turned south to capture Prague. After winning a bloody siege, his apparently invincible army suffered their first loss at the Battle of Kolin.
The Holy Roman Empire and Austria took the offensive, preparing attacks on multiple fronts. Frederick, after assessing the situation, marched to the west to meet a combined French and Holy Roman Empire force led by General Prince de Soubise. With Frederick’s army outnumbered 2 to 1, the armies attempted to outmanoeuvre each other, but reached a stalemate at Rossbach.
Now, how will Frederick face the fast approaching Allied forces? Faced with such odds, will the Prussians regain their reputation as an invincible army?