Thursday 30 December 2021

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/

Monday 27 December 2021

New Strelets-R box artwork

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


Thursday 23 December 2021

Tuesday 21 December 2021

Thursday 16 December 2021

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

Wednesday 15 December 2021

Kesselsdorf 1745

 


Today's anniversary is this famous battle.

Sunday 12 December 2021

Wednesday 8 December 2021

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

Sunday 5 December 2021

Leuthen 1757

 Today's anniversary is the famous Prussian victory. Wiki



Friday 3 December 2021

Lund 1676

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


Thursday 2 December 2021

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.

Tuesday 30 November 2021

Death of Charles XII 1718

 


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

Thursday 25 November 2021

Caroliners. Svenska Lif: Compagniet

Facebook page


Fotograf: Tony Persson VLT

Drilling outside the church, in Badelunda, VästerÃ¥s. 

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


Wednesday 24 November 2021

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
 




Sunday 21 November 2021

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.


Tuesday 16 November 2021

Saturday 13 November 2021

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

Friday 12 November 2021

Sunday 7 November 2021

Danish Officer of 1765

 Pleasant artwork from Danish archive.


Friday 5 November 2021

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. 

Tuesday 2 November 2021

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

You may also be interested in…

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

Save £5.25 on Wars and Soldiers of Louis XIV Volume 4: https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/wars-and-soldiers-in-the-early-reign-of-louis-xiv-volume-4-the-armies-of-spain-1659-1688.php

Save £4.50 on The Cretan War, 1645-1671: https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/the-cretan-war-1645-1671-the-venetian-ottoman-struggle-in-the-mediterranean.php

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

 

Wednesday 27 October 2021

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

Tuesday 26 October 2021

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.