Louis XIV visiting the trenches at Tournai June 1667

Charlie Wesencraft's With Pike and Musket

This book which came out first in 1975 has been reprinted so if you like vintage rules it won't be too expensive.

350th of the Franco-Dutch War

In 2022 if we are still alive we can be celebrating this war's 350th. Key events of 1672 
The Franco-Dutch War (1672–78), often simply called the Dutch War (French: Guerre de Hollande; Dutch: Hollandse Oorlog), was a war fought by France, Sweden, Münster, Cologne and England against the Dutch Republic, which was later joined by the Austrian Habsburg lands, Brandenburg-Prussia and Spain to form a Quadruple Alliance.

The Troop - Riding thhrough history

One of the UK's best reenactment groups - here's their Facebook page. 

Neerwinden/Landen 1693

Today's anniversary is this battle. Heavy casualties on both sides including Patrick Sarsfield.

Oh Patrick Sarsfield, Ireland's Wonder, Who fought in the fields like any thunder,
One of King James's chief commanders,
Now lies the food of crows in Flanders

Killiecrankie 1689

Today is the 330th anniversary. To celebrate or commemorate go to Ray's blog to see his recent refight of the famous Scottish battle. 

Marlborough's Civil War weekend

More info here
Marlborough Wiltshire is near the M4 - visitor info here

Crossing of the Düna 1701

Anniversary today of this battle. Pump this image up to full size - it's spectacular. 

Assietta 1747

Today's anniversary - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Assietta

Battle of Kliszów 1702

Battle fought today between Sweden and the Saxons. Wiki

"A girl and Swiss soldiers of 3rd regt" by Lorenzo Baldissera Tiepolo

Wiki on the artist
If you are interested in Swiss soldiers in Spanish service this article will help.
Thanks to Andrey and others from the Seven Years War Living History FB in identifying this image

15th Light Dragoons c.1760 David Morier

Kronoskaf has the regiments history in the SYW

Landsknechts On Campaign Marion Mcnealy

I very occasionally post 16th century things. This new book has been getting good reports from pike and shot friends so I thought I would post about it. This is a collection of woodcuts. Apparently it will eventually be on Amazon at the moment it's preorders
https://www.nadelundfadenpress.com/category/blog/
If you are interested the author has a blog.

Battle of Chiari 1701

Battle of Chiari, by Jan van Huchtenburg.

The Battle of Chiari was fought on 1 September 1701 during the War of the Spanish Succession. The engagement was part of Prince Eugene of Savoy's campaign to seize the Spanish controlled Duchy of Milan in the Italian peninsula, and had followed his victory over Marshal Catinat at the Battle of Carpi in July. Marshal Villeroi replaced Catinat as commander of the Franco–Spanish–Savoyard forces in the theatre, carrying with him orders from King Louis XIV to push the Imperialists out of Italy. Foreseeing Villeroi's intention of attacking at any price, Eugene entrenched himself in front of the small fortress of Chiari, and waited for the attack. In a battle that lasted several hours the Austrians inflicted heavy casualties on Villeroi's forces, gaining an overwhelming victory. The campaign established Eugene in Lombardy, and helped to persuade the Maritime Powers to come to the aid of the Emperor. Within a week of the battle England, the Dutch Republic, and Leopold I, had signed the second treaty of the Grand Alliance.

Roundway Down 1643

Today's anniversary is this Parliamentary defeat. Figures are 1/32 A Call to Arms Haselrigge's lobsters. Find them on eBay.

Danish troops in the WSS

At Oudenarde as well as most of the actions in the War of Spanish Succession.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_Auxiliary_Corps_in_Anglo-Dutch_service_1701–1714

Cuirassiers by Lucien Rousselot

Photos of the 2008 Oudenarde reenactment

http://www.thomason-photography.net/Oudenaarde/Oudenaarde08/Oudenaarde2008.html

Oudenarde 1708

Today's anniversary. Wiki

Karl XI at the battle of Lund

Scanian war that I have missed up until now.

Artist: Johann Philip Lemke, German, born 1631, dead 1711 - from here

Battle of Carpi 1701

Today's anniversary 

The Battle of Carpi was a series of manoeuvres in the summer of 1701, and the first battle of the War of the Spanish Succession that took place on 9 July 1701 between France and Austria. It was a minor skirmish that the French commander decided was not worth fighting, but his soldiers were displeased at his decision to retreat, and he was subsequently replaced. 

Austria; Austrian musketeer and grenadier during Spanish Succession War., c.1705

HaT Seven years war 1/32 Austrians are getting closer!

://stansarmee.blogspot.com/2019/07/132-hat-austrian-syw-fusiliers-test.html

Also see https://hat.freeforums.net/thread/534/7yw-fusilier-grenadier-test-shots

Khurasan Miniatures 15mm

Khurasan Miniatures are very pleased to add foot, horse and dragoons for Louis XIV’s French armies of the 1660s-80s to our 15mm late 17th century range. There are fifteen new sets of them. The infantry are depicted with shoulder ribbons and the large cuffs well up the arm, at elbow length. The cavalry have the ribbons as well, and are depicted with sword rather than pistol in hand, as befits the most fiercely charging cavalry of the age. Dragoons also are unique with their stocking cap like headgear. All available now:
http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/late-seventeeth-centur…

Sedgemoor in maps

Steve Carter is preparing a comprehensive study of the Sedgemoor campaign and has been posting some of the maps he has made on his blog. 

Time for my Sedgemoor GIF

Film we shot on the battle site a few years ago.  I have a Facebook group Monmouth Rebellion 1685 which is pretty active especially this time of year.

New Baccus 6mm Wars of the Sun King

They say

here is a preview of a new range we'll be releasing at the Joy of Six this weekend.

We're delving into that fascinating period between the end of the true pike and shot period as it transitions towards the linear warfare and fire tactics of the eighteenth century. It was a period dominated by the machinations and ambitions of Louis XIV France, and in that spirit we've named the range, 'Wars of The Sun King'.

We'll have the following codes available for sale:

SKW 1 Infantry, Matchlock Musket, Bandoliers

SKW 2 Infantry, Musket

SKW 3 Pikemen

SKW 4 Horse

SKW 5 Dragoons

SKW 6 Dismounted Dragoons

SKW7 Battalion Guns

SKW 8 Field Guns

SKW 9 Siege Guns

SKW 10 Mortars

We'll also have English, French, Austrian and Dutch army packs available.

We'll be adding a few more bits and pieces and some dedicated flags sheets in the fullness of time, but you really do have what you need to get started in this colourful period.

If you're not coming the Joy of Six, they will be made available via mail order shortly after the show.

Baccus facebook page

The Schellenberg 1704

Today's anniversary
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Schellenberg
Also go here for an eyewitness of the battle, plus OOBs etc

Today's anniversary the 375th

Marston Moor Battle

The Battle of Marston Moor was fought on 2 July 1644, during the First English Civil War of 1642–1646. The combined forces of the English Parliamentarians under Lord Fairfax and the Earl of Manchester and the Scottish Covenanters under the Earl of Leven defeated the Royalists commanded by Prince Rupert of the Rhine and the Marquess of Newcastle.

Lord Donegall's Regiment of Foot

The War of Spanish Succession is alive and well in the USA with Lord Donegal's. Recruting now, See their webpage here

Pikes in the WSS

Been talking about this and I found a couple of quotes from GM Trevelyan's England under Queen Anne Blenheim.
' In the English regiments of 1702 they numbered one to every 5 musketeers. The tallest man were selected for the service, and given half-a-crown every time they could break a pike on the parade-ground ''to induce a brisk and smart motion in charging.'' Two years later pikes had disappeared.
February 9 1704 Lord Portmore writes to the Duke of Somerset about troops destined for Portugal.
'I have the honour of receiving an order from your Grace directing the gatekeeper to deliver 450 firelocks, in lien of the like number of pikes which some of the regiments which come from Holland have, as they say, left behind, by his Grace, the Duke of Marlborough 's allowance.'

THE ARMIES AND WARS OF THE SUN KING 1643-1715. VOLUME 1: THE GUARD OF LOUIS XIV

When it comes to the French army of the 17th and 18th century there is one man who writes books that are more useful than anyone else. That man is Rene Chartrand  and the good news is this book series looks like it's going to be as unmissable as all of his previous works. First thing you notice is how profusely illustrated this book is. There are 32 colour plates including some commissioned for the book by Ed Dovey. Black and white pictures are on practically every spread. 

   The period under review saw the Guard growing from a small retinue to a corp-sized army that fought in almost every theatre. The books follow a format - first part of the work is a rolling history of the wars and campaigns -  starting in this volume in the mid 17thc and finishing up on Louis XIV's blitzkrieg of the 1660s. The next volume deals with the Franco-Dutch wars and so on. The second part is an in depth analysis of the troops their uniforms, weapons, battles and so on. Breaking down the book there are chapters on senior officers and orders of chivalry. There is even an appendix on the Spanish army who was the main enemy of the period covered in this history.

   The next volume is on the infantry which I will definitely be getting based on this volume. All in all a must for any French army enthusiast or those with an interest in the development of armies in the 17th and 18th as where the French army led the others followed.  

   

One to watch out for