Friday, 30 June 2023

Thursday, 29 June 2023

Helion 16th century conference

This event was 8 years ago. I was there selling my booklet on the Rebellion. The Troop recreated Monmouth and his Lifeguard. Don't forget I run a group on Facebook called Monmouth Rebellion 1685. Nice group. Pic by Susan.

Steel Fist 15mm Dismounted Troopers

15mm ECW Dismounted Troopers - Preview. https://www.steelfistminiatures.com/

This is a forthcoming pack, of 12 dismounted cavalry figures, suitable for skirmishers, sieges or foot officers. These are figures from the master mould and I'll be ordering production and stock immediately, so should have these soon.

new pack of dismounted Dragoon horseholders are also on the mould and I'll show these over the weekend.

These are more super-detailed sculpts by Oliver and I have a pipeline of some really special packs lined up for the second half of 2023.

They also have produced dragoon horse holders

Cropredy Bridge

Today's anniversary. Wiki

Tuesday, 27 June 2023

Cossacks Volume 1 the Winged Hussar

I think this is a Graphic Novel

1634, Ukraine. Karlis, a young Winged Hussar of Poland-Lithuania, sickened by the carnage of war, deserts. To wash their honour, the men of his old unit hunt him mercilessly, while two people secretly observe the pursuit. They are Cossacks, from a people of freedom-loving warriors and it is with them that Karlis will eventually find refuge. But if he left his regiment, it's also because of the last orders he was given, which he refused to follow: the king of Poland-Lithuania wants the Cossacks disarmed...

350th anniversary of the death of D'Artagnan

25th June was the death of

Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan

Killed by a musket ball to the throat at the Siege of Maastricht.

Thanks to Alan Larsen for this.

This image by Van der Meulen is said to be D'Artagnan - from the painting Arrivée de Louis XIV au camp devant Maestricht -

Dettingen 1743

Today's anniversary. Wiki. It is the 280th of this famous battle.

Friday, 23 June 2023

Seven Years War anniversaries

Three celebrated Seven Years War battles took place today. Plassey. The battle of Krefeld and finally Landeshut

Thursday, 22 June 2023

Queen Dowager's Regiment

I think 1686 was the year James II added battalion guns to the regiments of foot. Back about 20 years ago some friends reenacted such for Kirke's regiment. They went to a lot of effort in having the correct sort of cannon constructed. Three pounder.

Hounslow Heath art print

Get it Here

Military review at Hounslow Heath, 1686

Zoomable version here

Taunton Garrison at Dunster Castle

Photos by Lycia Moore. Dunster Castle wiki

Taunton garrison on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TauntonGarrison/

Bothwell Brig

From Warwick Louth.

''Today marks the 344th anniversary of the Battle of Bothwell Brig. If you'd like to learn more about the seminal battle of the Later Covenanter Rebellions, read my new book, Monmouth's First Rebellion: The Later Covenanter Risings 1660-1685, out now from Helion https://www.helion.co.uk/.../monmouths-first-rebellion...''

CAMP AT HOUNSLOW HEATH

I haven't read this but it looks interesting.

Description:
"Ed Harris. 209p. pbk. The first complete study of where James II built the army that cost him his crown 1685 - 1688 and the subsequent military legacy that continued deep into the 20th century book is illustrated with many contemporary drawings and plans, including a map of the modern landscape."

From Caliver Books

Also see here

Wednesday, 21 June 2023

Meanwhile in 1685

Extract from the Days of King Monmouth

Sunday, 21 June

'Terror march'd before them'

Sunday the 21st found Churchill's Dragoons subjected to a lengthy sermon in Chard on the damnation that follows rebellion - also Lieutenant Monoux who was killed at Ashill was buried.

Churchill's patrols were everywhere - 'and there came the Queen's Guards (as they said) under Lord Churchill into the parish and terror march'd before them (for one could hear the horses grind the ground under their feet, almost a mile before they came).' Harrassing the rearguard of the Rebels and ransacking the homes of those 'out' with King Monmouth, the troops did such things as 'cutting and tearing the beds, hangings and furniture to pieces, shaking out the feathers and carrying away the bedsticks and what else they could, letting out the beer, wine and sider, about the cellar, setting fire to the barn'.

The Rebels arrive at Bridgwater where they were well received, camping in the castle grounds. Kirke's footsore infantry arrive at Chard. Feversham is appointed commande in chief in the West.

Tuesday, 20 June 2023

British Grenadiers

Thanks to Patrik Bohuněk for this. Other musicians are Dominik Jahodka, Marta Korbelova, Jan Korbel, Ruben Queck. The first iime they have played with Ruben. This is from last weekend in Kolín 1757. History of the song British Grenadiers here

Battle of Höchst 1622

This battle took place today. Wiki.

Monday, 19 June 2023

Frédéric Aubert French Army in Germany 1757-1762

''That's it !!

I've finally finished the bundle of plates showing flags and uniforms for the entire French Army in Germany between 1757 and 1762.

This is a HUGE bundle of 85 plates.

The result of extensive researches over many years...

https://adhoc-edition.com/.../294-french-army-in-germany...

https://adhoc-edition.com/en/56-french-army

The 85 plates bring together the flags and uniforms of all the infantry and cavalry regiments that made up the French Army which fought in Germany during the Seven Years' War. 399 flags and 278 uniforms in total !

All the regiments having been in Germany during the Seven Years War are represented, with uniform and flags. Artillery is also represented.

For cavalry flags, unfortunately there is no source specifically for the period of the Seven Years' War, so I have decided to show known flags for the years 1753 and 1772, if any difference.

Even the provincial militia regiments are shown, with their flag, as well as the epaulettes for the Grenadiers Royaux.

85 plates, showing 399 flags and 278 uniforms in total.

Here is the detail per type of units:

- Guard: 3 plates, 13 flags, 11 uniforms

- Infantry: 27 plates, 186 flags, 102 uniforms

- Artillery: 2 plates, 4 flags, 2 uniforms, 8 cannons

- Militias: 4 plates, 40 flags, 5 uniforms

- Gendarmerie: 4 plates, 16 flags, 16 uniforms

- Cavalry: 28 plates, 98 flags, 72 uniforms

- Hussars: 1 plate, 3 flags, 3 uniforms

- Dragons: 7 plates, 18 flags, 25 uniforms

- Light Troops: 9 plates, 21 flags, 42 uniforms

I hope you'll enjoy these plates.''

Kolin 2023 Photos by Filda

In Bohemia in the Czech Republic. 266th.

Sunday, 18 June 2023

Kolín 1757

Today's anniversary. Wiki. They are reenacting it this weekend so hopefully we will have some photos to see soon.

Friday, 16 June 2023

Pinkie reenactment in 2017.

I don't think anyone does any figures for the Rough Wooing

Piece on the reenactment with photos by my brother here

Thursday, 15 June 2023

Scottish Renaissance Armies 1513-1550

This I got recently. Pretty good. The artwork is by Graham Turner. Buy it here

The Men of Warre

The clothes, weapons and accoutrements of the Scots at war 1460-1600

Jenny Scott

A fascinating look at Scottish military history.

I enjoyed Edinburgh author Jenn Scott's last book for Helion called 'I am Minded to Rise' on early Jacobites. This one is just as good, looking at the earlier periods from the end of medieval age up to 1600 and very fine it is too. The peculiar weapons of the Scots are looked as well as the appearance of Highland and Lowland soldiers. This was a turbulent time for Scotland and this was a time of change technologically with the arrival of Blackpowder weapons. I particularly like the Flodden, and Pinkie era but it also covers Border Reivers. It really is immersive to Scottish military history. Lifelike art by the talented Sean O'Brogain makes this an attractive package. So if you like Scottish history and Renaissance warfare this book you will love.

Get it here

Pinkie 1547

Steve Stanley spotted this. I have been reading Jenn Scott's The Men of Warre book and I have found myself interested in 16th century Scotland. This book is not yet out but there is an introductory price. Webpage