Wednesday, 13 August 2025
Wars and Soldiers in the Early Reign of Louis XIV Volume 8: The Armies of Denmark-Norway, Courland and Danzig,1655-1690 (Century of the Soldier 1618-1721)
by
Whatever name the historians gave to the conflicts fought by Sweden and Denmark-Norway, and despite all of the battles, sieges, winter campaigns, and guerrillas, in a wider perspective these events have been often considered a theater of war on the periphery. The struggle for predominance in Europe was not formed up in some hyperborean outlying land, but down in Flanders, Rhineland and Mediterranean. However, even in Northern European countries, the war set its mark on the masses, involving economy, domestic policy and diplomacy throughout the conflicts. After the devastating war against Poland, and Russia, and later The German Empire, Brandenburg and the Netherlands, Sweden was a major Louis XIV's ally. Both France and Sweden were interested in reducing the Dutch leading roll as a seafaring, commerce nation. Denmark-Norway faced this scenario always in the opposite side. The Swedish army was still regarded as a role model by the contemporaries, and even after the reforms introduced by Gustavus Adolphus, Swedish generals did not cease to develop new military theories, while the state provided itself with an administrative structure capable of supporting the war effort. No less important was the political and military trajectory of Denmark, the nation that more than any other in these years was on the front line against the Lion of the North. The history, organisation, equipment, uniforms and ensigns of the two armies are brought together in a single volume, together with an appendix dealing with the Duchy of Courland.
Cromwell'a Nemesis
New from Caliver Books
The Life of Edward Montagu, 2nd Earl of Manchester
Description:
"Davis, Edward. 392p New Hardback. A comprehensive biography of the Military & Political life of of this much criticised Parliamentarian General. Davis reconstructs Montagu’s journey through personal rule, the Long Parliament, and the early Civil War campaigns, culminating in the ideological rupture that followed Marston Moor. Through meticulous archival research and accessible prose, the book situates Montagu within the broader tensions of aristocratic conscience, parliamentary reform, and religious fervor. This volume takes the reader up to October 1644"
Del Prado (X10) Blenheim cavalry
Someone is selling these on ebay. I have a few of these but the trouble is they are something like 60mm and are too big for 54mm.
Les Higgins Marlburian 20mm
This range I had in the 70s and were my first foray into WSS. Really nice figures with round bases. They used to sell Les Higgins stuff in a newsagents Paynes in Warminster. In those days shops used to sell wargames figures. There was this colour book from the 70s called something like Great Battles in Miniature and it had Blenheim done with Les Higgins figures. Anybody have that? I wonder if anyone produces them now? Like to see if they fit with Strelets.
https://prometheusinaspic.blogspot.com/2022/06/wss-les-higgins-little-more-figure.html
Over The Hills And Far Away (Traditional)
This tune was published in Thomas D'Urfey's Pills to Purge Melancholy (Originally in 1706). It appeared in The Recruiting Officer, a comedy by George Farquhar and in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera (1728). The lyrics refer to the War of the Spanish Succession (1701--1714), the Duke of Marlborough, and Queen Anne of England (1665 --1714).
The painting: "British Soldier 1702" , is by Thomas Payton. You can see it here http://orloprat.deviantart.com/ Hark now the drums beat up again For all true soldier gentlemen, Then let us list and march, I say, Over the Hills and far away. (Chorus) Over the hills and o'er the main To Flanders, Portugal and Spain, Queen Anne commands and we'll obey, Over the hills and far away. All gentlemen that have a mind, To serve the queen that's good and kind, Come list and enter into pay, Then over the hills and far away. No more from sound of drum retreat, While Marlborough and Galway beat, The French and Spaniards every day, When over the hills and far away.Purcell - March / Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary (Funeral Sentences) Z. 860
Some music for Blenheim day.
Tuesday, 12 August 2025
Seneffe 1674
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| By Adam Frans van der Meulen |
The Battle of Seneffe took place on 11 August 1674 during the Franco-Dutch War, near Seneffe in Belgium, then part of the Spanish Netherlands. A French army commanded by Condé and a combined Dutch, Imperial, and Spanish force under William of Orange. One of the bloodiest battles of the war, over 20% of those engaged on both sides became casualties, and the result is disputed.
Monday, 11 August 2025
Battle of Konzer BrĂŒcke 1675
Today's anniversary. Imperial victory. Wiki
In 1675 Montecuccoli and Turenne had been manoeuvering between Philippsburg and Strassburg for an advantage, each seeking to cover his own country and to live upon that of the enemy. At last Turenne prevailed and had the Imperialists at a disadvantage on the Sasbach, where, in opening the action, he was killed by a cannon-shot (27 July).
Devastated by the loss of their commander, the French hastily surrendered all their advantages, and Montecucculi sharply following up their retreat, and drove them over the Rhine and almost to the Vosges.
At the same time the Imperial forces under Charles IV, Duke of Lorraine were besieging Trier, which Turenne had taken in the autumn of 1673.
Death of Turenne 27 July 1675
Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, Viscount of Turenne - Wikipedia
I missed this anniversary the other week. Killed by a cannonball at Salzbach. Wiki
Sunday, 10 August 2025
Devereux's pikes 1985
My first ECW event. I am on the extreme right. This was at Basing House. I was 25 which was older than most of the pike block. I had a daughter and I didn't drink then. Devereux's are still going - they just recently celebrated 50 years, about
Trail'st thou the puissant pike?
I am celebrating 40 years since I got into reenactment. This one is from 1988 doing 1688 at Zeals House Mere. I am with the halberd
Piquier, vers 1650
Johannes Tangena (actif 1683-1699), d'aprĂšs Salomon Savery (1594-1678) et Pieter Jansz Quast (1605-1647), "Soldier in armor facing right with pike and sword, helmet fastened to belt" (1650). Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection.
Friday, 8 August 2025
Battle of Dungan's Hill 1647
The Battle of Dungan's Hill took place in County Meath, in eastern Ireland on 8 August 1647. It was fought between the armies of Confederate Ireland and the English Parliament during the Irish Confederate Wars. The Irish army was intercepted on a march towards Dublin and destroyed. Although it is a little-known event, even in Ireland, the battle was very bloody (with over 3000 deaths) and had important political repercussions. The Parliamentarian victory there destroyed the Confederate Leinster Army and contributed to the collapse of the Confederate cause and the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in 1649.[1]
Saturday, 2 August 2025
Coming soon from North Star 1672
.jfif)
Turenne and Louis. There will be mounted versions too. Look great. North Star 1672 - North Star Military Figures
Friday, 1 August 2025
Thursday, 31 July 2025
Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter
"Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter" (Prince Eugene, the noble knight) is an Austrian-German folksong about the victory of Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1717 during the Austro-Turkish War (1716–1718).[1] It tells of the bravery of Prince Eugene, his companion Prince Ludwig who lost his life in the battle, and their soldiers in defeating the Turks and recovering the city of Belgrade for the Holy Roman Empire. The oldest known record of the song comes from a handwritten songbook of 1719. The lyricist is unknown.
Austrian musketeer and grenadier during Spanish Succession War., c.1705
New from Strelets WSS
Great box art. I have to admit when I saw the Eureka WSS I wondered if they would work with Strelets? These look good - see the figs at Plastic Soldier Review.
Spanish Army Fifes and Drums
0:50-1:34 Generala
1:35-2:43 Marcha Fusilera
2:44-3:33 Marcha de PĂfanos y Tambores
3:34-4:09 Calacuerda
4:10-4:41 Llamada
4:42-5:10 Ataque o Carga
5:11-6:07 Marcha de las Guardias Walonas
6:08-6:59 Orden y Retreta
7:00-8:01 Retreta de Suyssos
8:01-8:29 Diana
8:30-9:13 Asamblea de las Guardias Walonas
9:14-10:44 Asamblea de las Guardias Españolas
10:44-12:08 Marcha Tradicional de Ingenieros
Eureka Miniatures WSS
.jfif)
For your miniature gaming pleasure, we present our 18mm War of Spanish Succession range.
Sculpted by Alan Marsh, these figures represent the armies that fought around Barcelona and across Catalonia between 1706 and 1709, where Spanish Bourbon forces, British expeditionary forces, and Catalan allies clashed in the struggle for the Spanish throne. From the siege of Barcelona to the campaigns across the Catalan countryside, these figures capture the Mediterranean theatre of Europe's great dynastic war.
Find them all here: https://tinyurl.com/cvasnxwu
Wednesday, 30 July 2025
.jfif)
Fifes and Drums of the French Royal Military
Anybody know the musicians?
1:31-4:24 Marche Pour le Regiment Zurlauben 4:25-5:53 Le Spagnolette 5:54-8:47 Marche Pour Le Regiment de Saintonge 8:48-12:18 Gavotte 12:19-16:00 La Dardanus 16:01-20:07 Les Amusements De La Loire / Philidor / La Victorieuse 20:08-22:15 Danse de Village 22:16-24:33 Marche Royale de France
Siege of Hereford 1645
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| The Wye Bridge in Hereford, built in 1490, replaced an earlier structure of around 1125. For 200 years it was the only bridge that crossed the River Wye into Hereford. In 1645, when the city was under siege, local people destroyed one of the arches in an effort to keep out the invading Scots; it was later rebuilt but in a different style from the rest. |
Commenced today. Wiki
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
The Bold Grenadier - English Folk Song
"One Morning in May" (Roud 140, Laws P14) is an English folk song which has been collected from traditional singers in England and the USA and has also been recorded by revival singers. Through the use of double-entendre, at least in the English versions, it tells of an encounter between a grenadier (or soldier) and a lady.
Lyrics have been traced to the late 17th or early 18th century. There are a number of textual variants, and the song has many titles. The most frequent in the Roud Index are "The Nightingale", "The Bold Grenadier", and "One Morning in May", in that order. One Morning in May (folk song) - Wikipedia Performed by John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers.Landen 1693
The Battle of Landen, also known as Battle of Neerwinden took place on 29 July 1693, during the Nine Years' War near Landen, then in the Spanish Netherlands, now part of Belgium. A French army under Marshal Luxembourg defeated an Allied force led by William III.
Monday, 28 July 2025
Mark Vaughan's 1685 digital creations
Historian and reenactor Mark has been on a digital journey mastering AI to make illustrations. He uses miniatures (Front Rank) which he photographs and then makes a colour code and uploads them to ChatGpt. The results are impressive.
.jfif) |
| Horse the night before Sedgemoor |
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“I know these men will fight. If I had them, I would not doubt of success'.The Duke of Monmouth 1685
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| Trelawneys |
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