Hello all,
Played an interesting and enjoyable game (Normas v Vikings) earlier in the week. During the course of the game a single line group of Norman Knights went spontaneous which ended up with elements having to reduce their moves by 5-10p as dictated by the rule on Page 30. However upon reaching the table back edge does this stepped back group automacially align its frontage to become a "corner to corner" group again. The rule says "unless its front edge contacts enemy or will overlap" I guess thaT answers my question (or does it 
) but just wanted to get other views. As, if the stepped back elements (those still 5-10p back) spontaneous advance in the bound after the front elements reached the edge they would end in a corner to corner group again. This of course makes command and control much more likely.
It's a good question, which is why I've had a bit of a think about it before answering.
If I was asked to rule on this situation, I'd say the Kn stay staggered. The logic stream for me is as follows:
They're impetuous > they must make an impetuous move unless none of the required moves is possible > required moves in this situation involve moving straight ahead to the table edge > but the move must stop 5-10 paces short unless ending in contact with or overlap of enemy.
The last condition doesn't apply (not in contact), so they must remain 5-10 paces short of the neighbouring elements. They're still impetuous, and they're still required to move; it's just that because of the last condition, the distance they move is 0 paces.
PS - just cant help but gloat. A single element of my Viking Irr Cv(i) scouts, overlapped and in front combat with Norman Knights beat both after first destroying the one in front edge contact. When in doubt throw a 6 v1. 
A rule to live by. :-)
