Bonnie Prince Charlie's 300th birthday

 Have a great New Years eve and if you like to toast things maybe raise a glass for the Young Pretender. Wiki

French Dragoons

 

French; Louis XIV's Dragoons; L to R Firmacon 1685, Le Roi 1695, La Lande 1680 & Fonbansart 1690 by R.J. Marrion, originally published in Military Modelling.

Strelets French Dragoons 1/72 WSS teasers

These look good. Think I will get some of these. Strelets-r website
 

Wilhelmstein

This fortress I visited as a spotty youth on German exchange to Hanover in the 70s. It was built between 1761-5 and was built by getting fishing boats delivering stones to the site. Now a museum. Pictures and below text from the Wiki

This is an artificial island in lake Steinhuder Meer with an area of 12,500 square meters, located in the Hanover Region, Northern Germany. The island was created in the 18th century as a fortification by Count William of Schaumburg-Lippe, ruler of this small German state. Since then the island hosts the Festung Wilhelmstein, the Wilhelmstein Fortress. Today the island, close to Hagenburg, is a popular destination for tourists. It can be reached by so called 'emigrants boats' from Steinhude and Mardorf.

As its Christmas

 Playmobil grenadiers. More here

The Armies of Sir Ralph Hopton

Last Century of the Soldier for this year. Looks good. Details of it and an offer here

I must admit I like Hopton. He comes from Witham Friary which is near to where I grew up. 
 

Minairons 1/72 WSS out!

 See more here on their blog. First up are Miquelets.

Out today

 Offer for a few days here

Hanoverian infanterie-Regiment 11-A „Dreves“

 

Razor 1763

In Deo Veritas Captain General

 

Have to have the original set.

Averyanov, Alexander Yurievich

 Aleksandr Yurievich Averyanov is an artist famous for painting Russian battle scenes such as the Battle of 1812. Born in 1950 in the town of Lopasnya, Averyanov graduated from the M.I. Kalinin Moscow School of Art. Inspired by the works of his teacher, Sergey Prisekin, Averyanov is known for his paintings displaying Russian scenes of war, placing him at the forefront of traditionalist art revival during the 90’s. Averyanov’s simultaneous depiction of the chaos of war and nature of the lands in which they are set in have earned his works a place in several museums and private collections.

Mecklenburg Corps in 1719

Those were two Russian infantry regiments given to Mecklenburg Prince with the marriage with the Russian Princess in 1717, returned home in 1719.

Greg Blake's War of Spanish Succession figures

Greg sculpts, casts and paints his own WSS figs. Here is what he says:

'The scale is 35mm which is unusual but as this collection is very much a personal project I wanted to make it very much my own. Over the years I have built up quite a collection which includes British, French, Austrian, Danish, Saxon, Swedes and Russians - infantry, cavalry and artillery.

 I use Milliput to make the masters. I began the project back in 1983 and made a master of an infantry soldier. Since then I have refined that master and added to the range with officers, drummers, standard bearers, artillerymen, cavalry, Generals, Croats etc. Once the masters are made I put them into a mould and then I can spin as many as I want. It takes time to make the masters and you have to be patient but once you have a basic dolly done you can use it to make different figures. I have deliberately chosen a very traditional toy soldier like pose for the infantry, which is very appropriate for the early C18th era.'

French Guard

French artillery

French cavalry

Swiss (French)

Danish

Austrian

British

Great work Greg!

 Thanks Thomas Payton for this meme

Mikhail Shankov. Charles XII at Narva 1700 (1999)

 

Frederik Christian Lund - the Assault on Copenhagen 1659

 Looking for wintry images and this caught my eye. It's from 1887 and depicts an event in the Dano-Swedish war.

Baroquemusic.org

 This site looks good if you want some baroque music. 

What is the essence of baroque music? Baroque music expresses order, the fundamental order of the universe. Yet it is always lively and tuneful. Music reflects the mood of the times, then as now as always. Follow the development of music through this brief outline, from the earliest times to the present day, with baroque music in historical context.

Siege of Wells, 15th April 1979

 The Sealed Knot Society re-enact the English Civil War action at the Siege of Wells held during April 14-16, 1979.

Before my time of reenacting the ECW but it is interesting to see the spectacle, presumably cine film? Brigadier Peter Young is on a white horse apparently.

Kesselsforf 1745

 

Today's anniversary. Wiki

Despite destruction, misery and Privations

  Michał Paradowski. The Polish Army in Prussia during the war against Sweden 1626-1629. Here

Before he entered Germany in 1630, Swedish King Gustav II Adolf had to face Polish army in Prussia. Between 1626 and 1629, under command of brilliant Hetman Stanisław Koniecpolski, the Poles were engaged in a bitter struggle against Swedes. During this conflict both sides learnt a lot from each other, adjusting their armies’ organisation and tactics. While pitched battles, where winged hussars could win the day, were rare, the so called ‘small war’ made a huge impact on the events of this conflict. Poles were able to hone their skills acquired during the years of fighting Tatars and Turks, but were also forced to vastly increase presence of the infantry in their army, adapting to a new style of warfare.  This book provides readers with an in-depth study of the Polish troops during the war, from the unique structure of the army, through the organisation and equipment of the units, to the soldiers’ daily struggle due to lack of pay and food. Each formation is described in detail, from famous winged hussars to Western European mercenaries serving as infantry and dragoons. The author’s research is based on many Polish primary sources, that are available to English-speaking readers for the first time.

Banal Grenz Infanterie Regiment

  @banalgrenzinfanterieregiment  ·

Picture from this book

Battle of Alton 1643

 Today's anniversary is this battle from the first English Civil War. 

Image is the new 15mm range by Steel Fist

Donnybrook at Sea

 Launched today. New rules. Read about them here

More teasers from Strelets-R (WSS)

 

The Black box. A tale of the Monmouth rebellion

 I haven't read this - maybe you have?

Here to read for free.

The Black Box is a story set in the turbulent years towards the end of the 17th century when the Duke of Monmouth landed to claim the crown of England from his uncle James II for the Protestant cause. The Jolliffes, a non-conformist family who farm in West Dorset, are caught up in the momentous events 

Battle of Reading 1688

 Today's anniversary. A skirmish. Wiki

Read Defoe's account here

Wimborne Militia in Facebook battle after accounts disabled

 

The Wimbourne Militia are in the news. They recreate 1685 Militia but they have had trouble with their accounts. Article here

Cavalry battle at a bridge Jan Peeter Verdussen

 

During the Battle Jan Peeter Verdussen

 

No date for this. Maybe you can make a guess. Artist wiki

Cavalry Charge by Francesco Giuseppe Casanova

 Undated

Zoomable Seven Years War image

 Nathaniel Hone, R.A (1718-1784) | Double portrait of Lieutenant-General the Hon. Philip Sherard and Captain William Tiffin, at the Battle of Brücke-Mühle, 21 September 1762, the former full-length in the uniform of the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, the latter three-quarter-length, carrying a dispatch, the hill of Amönebourg and the battle visible beyond | Christie's

Leuthen 1757

 

Anniversary today for Frederick the Great's victory over the Austrians. Wiki

French troops 1680 by Patrick Auffray (1/32)

 

 Some great conversions. Inspiring me to carry on with my 1/32 figures. He says '1680 les piquiers français montent au combat. 

Figurines: curé Historex, sergent Mokarex modifié, piquiers Call to Arms modifiés, Tambour Peipp, grenadier New Hope Design ...'.

Battle of Lund 1676

 Today's anniversary - wiki

Brent Nosworthy

Brent says this

' During recent conversations, Jude Becker of Venture Miniatures has indicated that he is interested in physically publishing English Infantry & Cavalry Tactics: 1672 – 1698, which up to now has only been available in electronic form. Those who have already purchased the latter would be able to buy a physical copy of the book for a deep discount.

Of course, this would be a limited printing. We would like to determine if there is sufficient interest in this project to warrant further efforts in this regard. Again, feel free to contact me at Brentnose1@gamil.com or Jude Becker at becker1372@gmail.com.'

Portrait of an officer Jan Anthonisz van Ravesteyn

 Wiki on the artist

Like this portrait. Good to see his headpiece and musket.

Strelets-R WSS game

 Here to see Graham Evans' collection.

Malplaquet in 1/32 by Patrick Auffray

This is excellent. I love this scale. The figures are from a variety of manufacturers, I think I recognise some. Regiments include Du Roi and Lorraine. Malplaquet wiki

A future release that looks interesting

 October 2021

pre-order here

This title explores and illustrates the armies of France, and six countries allied against Louis XIV, in a wide-ranging Continental conflict that ushered in more than a century of European warfare. Formed in 1689, the League of Augsburg was an alliance of nations comprising the Holy Roman Empire, the Dutch Republic, Spain and the Duchy of Savoy, who were intent on standing firm and fighting against Louis XIV's rich, powerful and expansionist France. They were engaged in a long conflict against the Sun King known as the War of the Grand Alliance. This conflict was notable for the first widespread use of uniform clothing, flintlock musket and bayonet, and for the birth of sophisticated siege warfare under the great French engineer, Vauban. The final Treaty of Ryswyck (1697), which ended the Grand Alliance War, marked Louis XIV's political zenith but also the ascendancy of England as a first-rate global power. While the League of Augsburg had been fighting against Louis XIV on the continent, Britain had been involved in its so-called Glorious Revolution that saw the political ascendancy of William of Orange. This fully illustrated title explores the armies which fought in the War of the League of Augsburg by examining their organization, uniforms and arms. Also, the various military factions that participated in the Glorious Revolution, most notably the multi-national army of William of Orange (comprising Dutch as well as English and Danish units) and the Jacobite troops who operated in Ireland.

Charles XII film 1925

 Today in 1718 Charles XII lost his life so to commemorate this and the fact that I am currently reading a really good biography here are a few scenes from a film about him. Someone should make a film about this now - an epic life. 1925 film wiki

The Lion from the North: The Swedish Army during the Thirty Years War Volume 2 1632-48 (Century of the Soldier) Paperback

Having got volume one I was looking forward to this volume which deals with the Swedish army after the death of Gustavus Adolphus in 1632. I was not disappointed and found it very useful in understanding the later years of the Thirty years war and beyond. I say and beyond as the scope of this book takes in all of Sweden's campaigns of that era including North America and the Gold Coast. This was a period overseen by Axel Oxenstierna (Lord High Chancellor of Sweden) with a number of able leaders operating in the field. The development of weapons, clothing and tactics are covered in great depth.  There is a large colour section with paintings by Sergey Shamenkov and many photos of flags and standards. There is even a section on the Navy. To conclude this is a very useful study on an area not usually covered and has to be on every 17th century enthusiasts wants list.