Monday 28 May 2018

Siege of Bristol 27th May 2018

Yesterday's battle. Ronald Hutton commentates. 

Saturday 26 May 2018

Swiss Regiment de Karrer recreated

Caption from here reads
France Paris Fête 14 Juillet Regiment de Karrer Martinique 1730 Ancienne Photo Meurisse 1929

Vintage Meurisse Studio Photo, text on reverse: - les défilés des anciens régiments coloniaux à la revue du 14 juillet, le régiments de Karmer? Martinique 1730

Friday 25 May 2018

15mm Great Northern War

Thought it might be worth exploring this theme. A lot of people recommend Blue Moon which are a fairly new range of Russians and Swedes. There is an old range by Dixons which have merit.  I used to have a huge French army of their WSS 15s. CP models do Danish among others things.  Any more out there? I forgot Irregular Miniatures.

James Francis Edward Keith

Someone who participated in the early Jacobite Risings fought for the Russians and also fought under Frederick the Great. Killed at Hochkirch
The Hon. James Francis Edward Keith (11 June 1696 – 14 October 1758) was a Scottish soldier and Prussian field marshal. As a Jacobite he took part in a failed attempt to restore the Stuart Monarchy to Britain. When this failed, he fled to Europe, living in France, and then Spain. He joined the Spanish and eventually the Russian armies and fought in the Anglo-Spanish War (1727) and the Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743). In the latter he participated in the conquest of Finland and became its viceroy. Subsequently, he participated in the coup d'état that put Elizabeth of Russia on the throne.

He subsequently served in the Prussian army under Frederick the Great, where he distinguished himself in several campaigns. He died during the Seven Years' War at the Battle of Hochkirch. He received the Black Eagle Order and is memorialized on the Equestrian statue of Frederick the Great.
Funeral of Marshal Keith

Thursday 24 May 2018

Battle of Glen Shiel 10 June 1719

I wonder if there will be any reenactments for this battle next year? Part of the War of Quadruple Alliance. See below.  Spanish regulars, Marines  under Colonel Don Nicolás de Castro Bolaño anyone? Useful article here

War of the Quadruple Alliance (1717–1720)

Sorry for noticing the tercentenary of this conflict

Hanoverian invasion in Mecklenburg. Action at Walsmuhlen on 5-6 March of 1719

Been reading about Graf von Schwerin and his early career and this battle in 1719 is interesting. 

New label Prussia

Don't know whether you use the labels but I put a lot of early 18thc Prussia posts a new label.

Sergey I. Shamenkov Great Northern War


An artist working in the GNW is this guy. 

Early 18th century Prussia


Been looking for info on Prussians of the early 18thc and found these images on this blog and from a tip a CD from Robert Hall on Baccus' site
https://www.baccus6mm.com/includes/products/publications/spanishsuccession/spanishsuccession_text.inc.php

Wednesday 23 May 2018

Ramillies Jan Huchtenburg

Bivouac. OK. 1710 The State Museum of Fine Arts. A. S. Pushkin, Moscow

This painting is a bit of a mystery. It has been put down as Watteau but I don't know any of you know?

Battle of Ramillies 1706

by Sean O'Brogain from the Osprey
Today is the anniversary of this battle. Wiki
French and Spanish order of battle 
and here

Defenestration of Prague 1618

Today is worth commemorating. 400 years ago the event that precipitated the 30 Years War occurred. Wiki
Read about it here 

Tuesday 22 May 2018

Denmark in the GNW

Here to see what the Danes wore

Campaigns of the Prussian Army 1702-1715

Die Armee Augusts des Starken im Nordischen Krieg


Not as epic in scope as B Megorsky's book but useful if you fancy a Saxon army. It's in German but not bad. 

Armies of the Great Northern War

Of course it isn't just Sweden and Russia to choose from if you are assembling an army. Saw photos of Warfare Miniatures forthcoming Danish and Prussian figs for the GNW in 28mm. Here is a list of the combatants.

Saturday 19 May 2018

The Russian Army in the Great Northern War 1700-21: Organization, Material, Training and Combat Experience, Uniforms (Century of the Soldier) Boris Megorsky

Art by N Zubkov
This is definitely my favourite military book of this year so far. It's epic in its scope and execution. Written by a 40 year old reenactor and scholar. The author has already had books published in Russian but this is a first for him in English and they have pulled out all the stops and made a top rated study. Pages of colour paintings by N. Zubkov, colour flag pictures, original uniforms, period illustrations and reenactor photographs make this a profusely illustrated work. This is simply the definitive English language book on the Russian army in the Great Northern War. It's a very in-depth book but then the author has been studying the subject for a very long time and it shows. Ships and Galleys as well as Siegecraft are investigated along with many other topics like uniforms and weapons. Definitely a feather in the cap for the publishers Helion as this is a quality item. The publishers have a Swedish companion out later and if it's anything as good as this expect a great surge of interest in the Great Northern War. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in Russia's army and history.
The author Boris Megorsky

Rocroi anniversary

Monday 14 May 2018

Rebel Regiment at Grolle Battle

This is really good. It's taken at Grolle an event every couple of years in the Netherlands - quite a few from the UK go to it. 

Uniform pictures of Philipp Franz von Gudenus (1710–1783).

 From Wikimedia where there are notes 
The uniforms show the regiments of the Imperial army during the War of the Polish Succession at Philippsburg 1734.

Hanover

Prussian


Philippsburg (1734)

Another action in the War of Polish Succession is this one.
See also here


Phillipsburg 1734
Voltaire wrote a poem about the camp
IN CAMP BEFORE PHILIPPSBURG, JULY 3, 1734
by: Voltaire (François Marie Arouet, 1694-1778)

WITHOUT a bed we now sleep sound
And take our meals upon the ground;
And though the blazing atmosphere
Must dreadful to the eye appear,
The air though roaring cannons rend
While warriors with fierce rage contend,
The thoughtless French drink, laugh, and sing,
And with their mirth the heavens ring;
The walls of Philippsburg shall burn,
And all her towers to ashes turn
By fifty thousand Alexanders,
Who all deserve to be commanders,
Though they receive the paltry pay
Of only four poor sous a day.
Lavish of life, with high delight
I see them rushing to the fight;
They all appear both gay and jolly,
Quite covered o'er with fame and folly.
The Phantom, which we Glory name,
Spurs them to the pursuit of fame;
With threat'ning eye, and front all o'er
Bedusted, marching still before,
She holds a trumpet in her hand
To sound to arms, and cheer the band,
And loudly sings, with voice sonorous,
Catches, which they repeat in chorus.
Oh! people brilliant, gay, and vain,
Who drag with patience glory's chain,
'Tis great, an honorable grave
To seek, Eugene and death to brave.
But what will be your mighty prize?
What from your prowess will arise?
Regret your blood, in vain you spilt it;
At Paris cuckolded, or jilted.

Sunday 13 May 2018

War of Polish Succession reenactors

Foto Flash.Baby.Photo
Here are the French regiment Perigord part of the Garnison Danzig - which commemorates the siege of 1734 - when French forces fought the Russians for the first time. Garnison Danzig facebook.
War of Polish Succession wiki
Of course when one thinks of the French in 1734 you naturally think of Gudenus and his pictures.

Friday 11 May 2018

Somerset day

The Royal Army take to the battlefield during the Battle of Sedgemoor re enactment at Westonzoyland, Somerset

Today has been designated Somerset day. 
The Taunton Garrison as the Somerset Militia at the Bishop's Palace Wells

Fontenoy

Today is the anniversary of this French victory in 1745. Wiki

Tuesday 8 May 2018

Pikes and Plunder photos

Go here to see photos of  the weekend's ECW event.

Wednesday 2 May 2018

Tuesday 1 May 2018

Pikes and Plunder 2018

Newark is the venue for this free event this weekend. The ECWS cannon Barak is making an appearnance so expect some loud bangs. More details here