Johann Grimmelshausen Abenteuerlicher Simplizissimus - Teil 1

Wiki on the book
Simplizissimus is a German language novel set in the 30 Years War. Written at the time - well 1660s. Here is part 1 of a film version. Its in German but its still worth watching I think. Teil 2
English translation of the novel

A pikeman's arms and armour, and the equipment of a musketeer. From Principles of the art military by Henry Hexham (1642), Vol. 1.

Henry Hexham wiki

Coming to London

After exactly 11 years, the "Lange Kerls" are again officially in London in early October 2017 The Potsdamer Riesen garde, as more often, will accompany the presentation of the land of brandenburg to the day of German unity, this time in London. The program can be downloaded from the following link: https://brandenburg-meets-britain.de/

Edgehill 2017 (SK) by Peter Dunn

Days of King Monmouth Ralph Mitchard

If you want to learn more about the Monmouth Rebellion then try my booklet
http://ralphmitchard.bigcartel.com/product/the-days-of-king-monmouth

Some captures from the Pretenders (1972) DVD

Colonel Kirke - do not hiss the villain

The Duke of Monmouth

Kirke's Lambs

Got my copy of this and thought I'd share a few grabs from the credit sequence. I got my copy here post free - it's the cheapest I've seen it. I was 12 in 72 and I really enjoyed this had the novelization which was the 70s equivalent of owning the video.

Monmouth Rebels

I don't usually get excited by DVDs but this series from 1972 has bewitched me as a sort of missing piece of my childhood's jigsaw - why I have always been obsessed with the Monmouth Rebellion.

Rebels on the march

De Gheyn drill

Thanks to Charles for finding this animated musket drill

This weekend White Mountain 1620

Photo from Jorge Von West

IR Nr.6 von Hardenberg (Hanoverians I think) at Schloss Buckeburg.

Edgehill 1642

Wiki here

This weekend

Battle of Pinkie Cleugh 1547 by Neil Mitchard

My brother lives in Musselburgh near Edinburgh and offered to take some photos for me of this 1547 battle being reenacted. The results are interesting - well done to all those who took part. Wiki on the battle. 
More photos here

The Fall Of Namur (1934)

Full title reads: "THE FALL OF NAMUR - British Troops capture the French fortress - a scene from the forthcoming Aldershot Tattoo."  Thanks to David Wilton (Scots Brigade) for finding this gem.

Les fifres dans les compagnies entre 1660 et 1761 / Sarah van Cornewal

Article in French

Purcell: Royal Welcome Songs for King James II

On Spotify
Review here
Youtube taster

For Malplaquet day

The Queen's regiment UK WSS reenactors. See more of them and other WSS images here

Malplaquet

Tis the anniversary of this battle. Image is of a British grenadier. From England's General Eternized 1706

The Royal Changeling fiction

I don't usually read fantasy but I read this one as it was given to me by the author at an event and now is available online for a few quid. It links Monmouth Rebellion lore with Arthurian and elfish themes creating a very readable fiction. Here 
Kindle

The Pretenders (1972) DVD

This is finally out on DVD. I'm pretty excited about that despite it costing 20 quid. Its an old HTV children's adventure set in the Monmouth Rebellion and as a child I loved it. Had the novelisation and everything. Sedgemoor is really well recreated. Percy Kirke is the baddie.

The Army Of James II, 1685-1688: The Birth Of The British Army (Century of the Soldier) Stephen Ede -Borrett

A long-awaited treatment. Was it worth the wait? I think so. The author has been researching the army of James II since the 80s so I think it would be safe to say this is a labour of love. It has all manner of approaches - eye witnesses, deserter descriptions, period engravings and packaged with some charming watercolours by Mark Allen whose style you'll recognise from his articles in Wargames Illustrated in the 90s. There's even some reconstructed dragoons photographed. Flags are reproduced as well as some interesting paintings in colour including one I didn't know of an officer in the Earl of Bath's regiment.  In short if you have an interest in James II's army this is the one book you'll need. It's a compendium of information on this important period in the development of the standing army in Britain. Highy recommended.

The Battle of Nördlingen Jan van den Hoecke

The Battle of Nördlingen, by Pieter Meulener

Todays anniversary

The Bavarian Army During The Thirty Years War, 1618-1648: The Backbone Of The Catholic League' (Century of the Soldier) Hardcover – 15 Aug 2017 by Laurence Spring (Author)

I have always been interested in the Thirty Years War but have always found the books available fall short and deal mainly with the politics of the period rather than the nuts and bolts side of history. This one does fit the bill very neatly. I have a liking for Tilly and Pappenheim and so took a chance on this and wasn't disappointed. Chapters on Clothing, Pay and Rations, Tactics, arming the soldiers, Civilians and soldiers all make very useful reading for the reenactor and wargamer. Soon is the anniversary of the Thirty Years War in 2018 so this kind of book will be essential reading to those recreating the armies of the time. It does cover more than just the Bavarian army and compares it to the practices in Swedish and other armies. All in all highy recommended.
  

English Civil War Call to Arms 1/32

I like the Call to Arms 54mm plastics. Scott Lesch has a nice collection. Here are some. Before you wonder why they're not painted its part of the aesthetics of collecting to keep them in the raw. Harks back to the Playset and carpet battles.

Tamara Tamtam's Moscow photos

 Here are some really spectacular pics of some of the Moscow event see below. To see more of Tamara's work go here