Jacobite Rebellion in the Ukraine

 More here

Happy New Year - have a great 2022

 Image Norton St Philip in the snow from here

Steel Fist 15mm ECW command

 These look very good. https://www.steelfistminiatures.com/

ECW conference 2022

 

Waking the Bear - a guide to wargaming the Great Northern War and Turkish campaigns 1700-1721 by Mark Shearwood

This book will make a Great Northern wargamer of you

I really enjoyed this and found it very useful. As someone who has an interest in the period but have not wargamed it I feel it has taken me closer to completing an army. All sorts of organisational information and historical orders of battle specifically tailored to the needs of the wargamer are there. I found the painting guides very useful. It does not presume a particular scale so there is plenty to suit the smaller scale gamer. It goes beyond just  the Swedish and Russian forces - there is quite an array of nations to choose from which also includes the Ottoman forces something I found very useful. So if you have an interest in Danish, Brandenburg-Prussian or Saxon they are all here. It is also a visual feast with many colour illustrations of some fine miniatures. Definitely recommend.

News from Steel Fist who are making a very good ECW range

 ECW 15mm - Foot pack reorganisation and price reductions.

I have new production moulds for the ECW Foot, which means I can now reduce the selling prices.

The new packs have 24 figures for the Pikes and Shotte, and the Foot Command are now sold in their own packs of 8 figures. I hope this gives more flexibility in building wargame units.

ECWF1 - Pikes Advancing (24 figures) £12.75

ECWF2 - Pikes Levelled (24 figures) £12.75

ECWF3 - Musketeers Marching (24 figures) £12.75

ECWF4 - Musketeers Firing (24 figures) £12.75

ECWF5 - Foot Command Pack I (8 figures) £4.20

ECWF6 - Foot Command Pack II (8 figures) £4.20

ECWF7 - Foot Command Pack III (10 figures) £5.00

ECWF1 to ECWF6 are now in stock in the online store.

Oliver is working on Foot Dragoons and extra Ensigns next.

https://www.steelfistminiatures.com/product-category/english-civil-war-15mm-product_cat-19/

60mm Chintoys Musketeers and Cardinal's guards (new)

 

New Strelets-R box artwork

 I don't know who does their artwork but they are good. This looks like Spain.

Merry Christmas

 

Svenska Lif:Compagniet - an introduction

 Produced by Johan Robach

GNW Swedish

CHARLES X’S WARS VOLUME 1 Armies of the Swedish Deluge, 1655-1660

 

This is another book I have - it is the first in a series # read about it here.  Volume 2 is about the Danish wars. 

Waking the Bear A Guide to Wargaming the Great Northern War and Turkish Campaigns 1700-1721

 My copy has arrived. Just. First glance it is profusely illustrated. Read about it here

Kesselsdorf 1745

 

Today's anniversary is this famous battle.

Battle of Alton 1643

 Today's anniversary. 

French infantry cartridge pouch captured at Dettingen 1743

 Read about it at the NAM here

The Perfect Militia by Peter Leadbetter. Stuart trained bands of England and Wales 1603-1642

This is an excellent book covering the history of the trained bands in the first half of the seventeenth century in England and Wales.  A very important study as this is effecting an analysis of their effectiveness as the Civil war looms on the horizon. The Bishop's wars also occurred during this period and that aspect is also covered. Annual musters were held where the men and equipment were assessed. The effectiveness and levels of training are examined across the country. The ratio of pike to shot both in theory and in reality are looked at. The author has restricted himself to primary sources in this book and as such it is very good history. I would recommend this to any 17th century enthusiast and specialist. Details here

Leuthen 1757

 Today's anniversary is the famous Prussian victory. Wiki

Lund 1676

 Today's anniversary is this bloody battle of the Scanian war.

Wars and soldiers in the early reign of Louis XIV Volume 5 the Portuguese army 1639-1690 Bruno Mugnai

An exciting addition to a successful series. Covering the birth of the modern Portuguese army through its wars with Spain and their colonial actions during this period -  in Africa and Brazil - which is a first in the English language. There were English and French troops employed by the Portuguese in this era when their military was starting almost from scratch. From a Uniformology perspective this is a fascinating time. The transition to the adoption of the  French style of dress is covered in this volume. Mr Mugnai is not only a fine artist he also has a deep knowledge of costume history and as a result the illustrations are extremely useful. This is a book that I heartily recommend both from a historical aspect as this period is very obscure but also from a military uniform aspect as this is all new information and as such very welcome.

Death of Charles XII 1718

 

Today's anniversary is the death of the Swedish King. Shot in the head while besieging Frederiksten. 

Caroliners. Svenska Lif: Compagniet

Facebook page

Fotograf: Tony Persson VLT

Drilling outside the church, in Badelunda, Västerås. 

Appropriately enough, we had our drill next to the church, just like the soldiers did during the Carolean era. 

Banal Grenz Infanterie Regiment

 This Czech group are good. Contact them through their Facebook page.

Grenz infantry from 1762

Thanks to Donnie of Austrian reenacting for these.

Grenz infantry
 

French pikeman of 1677

 Yves Martin has found on BNF some French playing cards depicting the ranks of the army from 1677. To see more go to my War of the Grand Alliance Facebook page. This is showing the elusive classical helmet. Love to find an original of this.

Russian Great Northern war reenactors

 

More here at their Facebook page

IR von Esterhazy. Trakošćan Castle

 Thanks to Vladimir Brnardić for this.

'Trakošćan Castle is located in northern Croatia (in the Varaždin County) that dates back to the 13th century. Among other treasures it has well preserved hand painted wallpapers that feature Austrian infantry and cavalry troops from 1749/1750. Between them is 37 line infantry regiment under command of Josip Kazimir Drašković when he was a colonel of it as well as one Hungarian and Grenz infantry regiment and dragoon and hussar squadrons. Soldiers uniforms, equipment and flags as well as the formation of individual units and their parts are all faithfully represented. Of interest is the regimental band.'

IR von Esterhazy. Trakošćan Castle. Priest and officers with orchestra in the middle, sappeurs in the back. On the left grenadiers, on the right musketeers.

British Regiment of Horse (Late war)

Box art from Strelets-r. See the figures here http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/Set.aspx?SetID=407&M=B

 

Lützen 1632

 Today's anniversary. Wiki

Preston 1715

 Rob reminded me that this time now is also the anniversary of Preston. 

Interesting Knötel

 Haven't seen this before. Interesting. Anyone know the source? Morier I expect. 

Sheriffmuir 1715

 Today's anniversary. Wiki

Some interesting 1717 images

 

Exercitium zu Pferd und zu Fuß [.]. Khevenhüller, Ludwig Andreas. Published by Vienna, Johann Paul Krauss, 1739

 More here

French group's garrison

 On my Flintlock and Tomahawk blog are photos of a recent event in St-Malo  France here

Flags of War 2022 1745 Redcoats calendar kickstarter

 See more here

Danish Officer of 1765

 Pleasant artwork from Danish archive.

Today in 1688

 William of Orange and his army lands at Torbay Devon.

Battle of Rossbach 1757

 Today's anniversary is this famous Prussian victory. 

Portugal volume out

#NewRelease

We are pleased to announce Wars and Soldiers of Louis XIV Volume 5: The Armies of Portugal 1659-1690 is now available.

In December 1640, the native dynasty of Braganza ascended to the Portuguese Throne. This event heralded the end Spanish domination in Portugal that had started in 1580.

Following the Restoration, an ill-prepared Portuguese David found itself having to face a tormented but not exhausted Spanish Goliath. The new national army was raised in a such a short period of time, to be considered almost unique in European military history. The development of Portugal’s armed forces during this period is a fascinating subject for investigation and reading.

The story of Portuguese army during this period, its organization, and campaigns, together with a study of its uniforms and ensigns is published here in English for the first time. The book is presented with 8 special commissioned colour plates and uses after archival and unpublished sources along with many contemporary pictures.

✨ Save £4.50 off RRP until Sunday 7th November – no code needed ✨

Buy it here: https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/wars-and-soldiers-in-the-early-reign-of-louis-xiv-volume-5-the-armies-of-portugal-1659-1690.php

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Save £4.50 on Wars and Soldiers of Louis XIV Volume 1: https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/wars-and-soldiers-in-the-early-reign-of-louis-xiv-volume-1-the-army-of-the-united-provinces-of-the-netherlands-1660-1687.php

Save £4.50 on Wars and Soldiers of Louis XIV Volume 2: https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/wars-and-soldiers-in-the-early-reign-of-louis-xiv-volume-2-the-imperial-army-1657-1687.php

Save £5.25 on Wars and Soldiers of Louis XIV Volume 3: https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/wars-and-soldiers-in-the-early-reign-of-louis-xiv-volume-3-the-armies-of-the-ottoman-empire-1645-1718.php

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All above offers valid on print editions only until Sunday 7th November. No code needed.

 

Hät 1/32 SYW Austrians

 Apparently these are appearing at some dealers. Good news if its true. Hobby Bunker has them.

The Perfect Militia

 Just started reading this. So far so good. Deals with the Trained bands of the first half of the 17th century.  Read about it here

2nd Battle of Newbury 1644

 

Today's anniversary. Read about it here

War and soldiers in the early reign of Louis XIV - Volume 4 the Armies of Spain

By Bruno Mugnai

 The latest volume in what is a remarkable series. These works have acquired a following among military historians and wargamers who have been eagerly waiting for this instalment. I don't think they will be disappointed - it's a great book possibly the best so far in a high quality series. Mr Mugnai manages to explore areas where other historians have not trod before. The Hispanic troops are depicted in brilliant style by Mugnai who is also the artist of this set of books. Spain had its own way of doing things and that's what makes this book interesting. A long held view is that Spain was in decline at this time in history but Mugnai overturns this superficial analysis by showing the whole picture. So a much-needed book that will please all those patiently waiting for this volume. I can see that a  Spanish war games army has now a possibility with all the detailed information contained in this fine book.