Thursday 31 October 2019

Me And Marlborough [1935]

Released on July 23, 1935: A feisty British barmaid pretends to be a man so she can join the Duke of Marlborough to fight the French in Flanders.

Weapons and equipment of the Marlborough wars

Publsihed in 1980. Second hand prices are reasonable on Amazon and Ebay.

Wednesday 30 October 2019

Strelets British Infantry in Advance 1701-14

This set of 1/72 figures - see below - are now at the UK's ebay sellers. I must admit to being severely tempted.
They are also at Hannants for 8.99
See review at Plastic soldier review

Tuesday 29 October 2019

Clemens August of Bavaria

Pieter Jacob Horemans (1700-1776), Portrait of Clemens August as Falconer, 18th century

Sunday 27 October 2019

2nd Newbury 1644

The Second Battle of Newbury was a battle of the English Civil War fought on 27 October 1644, in Speen, adjoining Newbury in Berkshire. The battle was fought close to the site of the First Battle of Newbury, which took place in late September the previous year.
The combined armies of Parliament inflicted a tactical defeat on the Royalists, but failed to gain any strategic advantage.

Saturday 26 October 2019

Marlburian redcoats

From Barthrop and Turner British infantry since 1660

Out now a new Osprey

This might be a useful introduction to the period.
The Great Northern War was a long series of campaigns in which Russia, linked with several other countries in temporary alliances, confronted and eventually replaced Sweden as the predominant power in Northern Europe. While contemporary with the Duke of Marlborough's pivotal campaigns against France, the Great Northern War was in fact more decisive, since it reshaped the Northern European power balance up to the eve of the Napoleonic Wars.
It began with a series of astonishing Swedish victories lead by King Charles XII, from Denmark to Poland and deep into Germany. But Peter the Great of Russia showed steadfast determination, and Charles overreached himself when he invaded Russia in 1708; the Russians adopted classic 'scorched earth' tactics until they could destroy the Swedish army at Poltava in 1709, one of the most overwhelming victories in history. Nevertheless, Sweden continued to fight, and frequently win, in Germany, Denmark and Norway, until Charles's death in battle in 1718, though the war itself did not conclude until 1721.
This study explores, in detail, the numerous armies and complex alliances engaged in the war for Northern European dominance. Containing accurate full-colour artwork and unrivalled detail, Armies of the Great Northern War offers a vivid insight into the troops which battled for control of the North.

Wednesday 23 October 2019

Strelets-R 1/72 British Infantry in Attack 1701-1714

Scroll down to look at the advancing set.
Status: In Preparation
These look ace. Loving the grenadiers.

Edgehill Prayer

 Jacob Astley's battle-prayer at the Battle of Edgehill has become famous: O Lord, Thou knowest how busy I must be this day. If I forget Thee, do not thou forget me.[2]
which he followed promptly with the order "March on, boys!"[1]


Tuesday 22 October 2019

Reenactment this weekend


Nehemiah Wharton letters

Nehemiah Wharton joined the army of Parliament in the summer of 1642. He had been apprenticed to George Willingham, a merchant in London. Wharton has variously been described as a sergeant and as a ‘subaltern officer’ in the Earl of Essex’s army. Gaunt maintained that he was ‘from the literate upper levels of society’ and went on to describe him as ‘from the urban artisan class rather than the landed rural elite’ (2003, p63).
He wrote a series of letters between 16 August and 7 October 1642 to his apprentice master and these provide an invaluable insight, not only to life as a soldier but also to the early days of the Civil Wars.
Here to read them

WRG 1685-1845

I had these rules but I don't think I ever used them. Aesthetically it had small battalions which I didn'y like. Did you use them? Any good?

Sunday 20 October 2019

Strawhead Sedgemoor full album

Up now in one album this is a popular set of songs from 1985. 

Friday 18 October 2019

Wargames rules - Marlburian warfare Stuart Asquith

Back in the late 80s I used to wargame the WSS in 15mm. I had a large French force (Dixon's) and my opponent, the British, using mainly Roundway miniatures - both bought from the Keep in Devizes. These are the rules we used. I can't find them now so this is a borrowed image from John Ewoldt.  I can't really tell you if they were any good as we rarely finished a game. Our forces were so large that deploying them took ages. Oh well. Anyone have a set of these? Cover by Rick Scollins of course. Maybe I am remembering it wrong but I think the French were doomed by these rules but perhaps I was a bad general!

1/72 Marlburian British

Good news for gamers in that scale. Strelets-r have announced what looks to be a new period for them. British infantry in advance 1701-1714.

Hannants  will have them in the UK. They look good I must say. What do you think?


Thursday 17 October 2019

Newbury 375th 27 October 2019

Shaw House

The New Model Army Comes to Shaw House!
Come and meet the New Model Army, in the form of Col Nicholas Devereux’s Regiment at this family-friendly event to commemorate the 375th anniversary of the Battle of Newbury of 1644
Experience what life was like for the soldiers, camp followers and artisan’s from the trouble times of The English Civil Wars, with interactive Living History and demonstrations. And find out why Shaw House was such an integral part of the Royalist defence during the Second Battle of Newbury on the 27th October 1644.
With a free presentation of the Battle of Newbury, 1644 by author Chris Scott at 11.30am – 12.30pm. No need to book, just drop-in.
Sunday 27 October, 11am – 4pm | FREE

Monday 14 October 2019

15th Light Dragoon cap



Cap that belonged to Captain George Ainslie who took part in the charge at Emsdorf 1760.

Hochkirch 1758

Today's anniversary - read about it here

Friday 11 October 2019

Monday 7 October 2019

Trailer Slag om Grolle 2019

Nearly time for this event in the Netherlands that brings people from all over to reenact the 80 years war.

Sunday 6 October 2019

Seven Years War siege at Terezin 2019

Spectacular action from the Czech Republic. This weekend just passed. 

Russian Guards Officer

Officier de la garde d' infanterie russe.
Vorontsov, Ivan Illarionovitch (1719—1786).
Le peintre: Georg Caspar Prenner.
Les 1750 années

Sedgemoor 2020

4/5 July the Sealed Knot are reenacting Sedgemoor at Bridgwater Somerset. Full major so expect a large turnout. 

Friday 4 October 2019

this weekend



Battle of Marsaglia 1693

Today's anniversary is this battle. Is reenacted every year in Italy.