Sunday, 17 August 2025

Garde cotière normande du XVIIIe siècle

 Keeping the coast of Normandy safe for the King. Facebook


Friday, 15 August 2025

Joseph Esterházy Infantry

Portrait of Lieutenant-Colonel Ferdinand von Ujházy circa 1750 – Source: Collection of Trakoščan Castle (Croatia), picture made available by Mr. I. Mravlinčić - Copyright Trakoščan Castle
 From Kronoskaf page on the regiment

Liegnitz (1760)

 

Adolph von Menzel

Today's anniversary. Wiki

Seven Years War Hungarian infantry

Contact them on Facebook  Katonai hagyományőrzés a képek tükrében.

''We are recreating the Royal Hungarian "Joseph Eszterházy" infantry regiment from the 7 years war. Our association's main focus is the Great War and the 2nd World War (we are ww1 royal hungarian infantry, AH navy marines and ww2 royal hungarian bicycle troops). We started the Seven Years War, as nobody else is reenacting that period in Hungary. I hope to add 1-2 new uniforms each year, as our main focus is still the 20th century, we can use only use limited resources to build our 18th century unit.''





Wars and Soldiers in the Early Reign of Louis XIV Volume 8: The Armies of Denmark-Norway, Courland and Danzig,1655-1690 (Century of the Soldier 1618-1721)

 by Bruno Mugnai (Author)

Whatever name the historians gave to the conflicts fought by Sweden and Denmark-Norway, and despite all of the battles, sieges, winter campaigns, and guerrillas, in a wider perspective these events have been often considered a theater of war on the periphery. The struggle for predominance in Europe was not formed up in some hyperborean outlying land, but down in Flanders, Rhineland and Mediterranean. However, even in Northern European countries, the war set its mark on the masses, involving economy, domestic policy and diplomacy throughout the conflicts. After the devastating war against Poland, and Russia, and later The German Empire, Brandenburg and the Netherlands, Sweden was a major Louis XIV's ally. Both France and Sweden were interested in reducing the Dutch leading roll as a seafaring, commerce nation. Denmark-Norway faced this scenario always in the opposite side. The Swedish army was still regarded as a role model by the contemporaries, and even after the reforms introduced by Gustavus Adolphus, Swedish generals did not cease to develop new military theories, while the state provided itself with an administrative structure capable of supporting the war effort. No less important was the political and military trajectory of Denmark, the nation that more than any other in these years was on the front line against the Lion of the North. The history, organisation, equipment, uniforms and ensigns of the two armies are brought together in a single volume, together with an appendix dealing with the Duchy of Courland.

Cromwell'a Nemesis

 


New from Caliver Books

The Life of Edward Montagu, 2nd Earl of Manchester

Description:
    "Davis, Edward. 392p New Hardback. A comprehensive biography of the Military & Political life of of this much criticised Parliamentarian General. Davis reconstructs Montagu’s journey through personal rule, the Long Parliament, and the early Civil War campaigns, culminating in the ideological rupture that followed Marston Moor. Through meticulous archival research and accessible prose, the book situates Montagu within the broader tensions of aristocratic conscience, parliamentary reform, and religious fervor. This volume takes the reader up to October 1644"

Del Prado (X10) Blenheim cavalry

 Someone is selling these on ebay. I have a few of these but the trouble is they are something like 60mm and are too big for 54mm. 


Les Higgins Marlburian 20mm

 


This range I had in the 70s and were my first foray into WSS. Really nice figures with round bases. They used to sell Les Higgins stuff in a newsagents Paynes in Warminster. In those days shops used to sell wargames figures. There was this colour book from the 70s called something like Great Battles in Miniature and it had Blenheim done with Les Higgins figures. Anybody have that? I wonder if anyone produces them now? Like to see if they fit with Strelets. 

https://prometheusinaspic.blogspot.com/2022/06/wss-les-higgins-little-more-figure.html

Over The Hills And Far Away (Traditional)

 This tune was published in Thomas D'Urfey's Pills to Purge Melancholy (Originally in 1706). It appeared in The Recruiting Officer, a comedy by George Farquhar and in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera (1728). The lyrics refer to the War of the Spanish Succession (1701--1714), the Duke of Marlborough, and Queen Anne of England (1665 --1714).

The painting: "British Soldier 1702" , is by Thomas Payton. You can see it here http://orloprat.deviantart.com/ Hark now the drums beat up again For all true soldier gentlemen, Then let us list and march, I say, Over the Hills and far away. (Chorus) Over the hills and o'er the main To Flanders, Portugal and Spain, Queen Anne commands and we'll obey, Over the hills and far away. All gentlemen that have a mind, To serve the queen that's good and kind, Come list and enter into pay, Then over the hills and far away. No more from sound of drum retreat, While Marlborough and Galway beat, The French and Spaniards every day, When over the hills and far away.

Tuesday, 12 August 2025

Seneffe 1674

 

By Adam Frans van der Meulen 

The Battle of Seneffe took place on 11 August 1674 during the Franco-Dutch War, near Seneffe in Belgium, then part of the Spanish Netherlands. A French army commanded by Condé and a combined DutchImperial, and Spanish force under William of Orange. One of the bloodiest battles of the war, over 20% of those engaged on both sides became casualties, and the result is disputed.

Monday, 11 August 2025

Battle of Konzer Brücke 1675

 Today's anniversary. Imperial victory. Wiki

In 1675 Montecuccoli and Turenne had been manoeuvering between Philippsburg and Strassburg for an advantage, each seeking to cover his own country and to live upon that of the enemy. At last Turenne prevailed and had the Imperialists at a disadvantage on the Sasbach, where, in opening the action, he was killed by a cannon-shot (27 July).

Devastated by the loss of their commander, the French hastily surrendered all their advantages, and Montecucculi sharply following up their retreat, and drove them over the Rhine and almost to the Vosges.

At the same time the Imperial forces under Charles IV, Duke of Lorraine were besieging Trier, which Turenne had taken in the autumn of 1673.


Death of Turenne 27 July 1675

 Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, Viscount of Turenne - Wikipedia


I missed this anniversary the other week. Killed by a cannonball at Salzbach. Wiki

Sunday, 10 August 2025

Devereux's pikes 1985

 My first ECW event. I am on the extreme right. This was at Basing House. I was 25 which was older than most of the pike block. I had a daughter and I didn't drink then. Devereux's are still going - they just recently celebrated 50 years, about


Trail'st thou the puissant pike?

I am celebrating 40 years since I got into reenactment. This one is from 1988 doing 1688 at Zeals House Mere. I am with the halberd

 

Piquier, vers 1650

 Johannes Tangena (actif 1683-1699), d'après Salomon Savery (1594-1678) et Pieter Jansz Quast (1605-1647), "Soldier in armor facing right with pike and sword, helmet fastened to belt" (1650). Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection.



Friday, 8 August 2025

Battle of Dungan's Hill 1647

 The Battle of Dungan's Hill took place in County Meath, in eastern Ireland on 8 August 1647. It was fought between the armies of Confederate Ireland and the English Parliament during the Irish Confederate Wars. The Irish army was intercepted on a march towards Dublin and destroyed. Although it is a little-known event, even in Ireland, the battle was very bloody (with over 3000 deaths) and had important political repercussions. The Parliamentarian victory there destroyed the Confederate Leinster Army and contributed to the collapse of the Confederate cause and the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in 1649.[1]

Saturday, 2 August 2025

Coming soon from North Star 1672


 Turenne and Louis. There will be mounted versions too. Look great. North Star 1672 - North Star Military Figures

Thursday, 31 July 2025

Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter

 "Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter" (Prince Eugene, the noble knight) is an Austrian-German folksong about the victory of Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1717 during the Austro-Turkish War (1716–1718).[1] It tells of the bravery of Prince Eugene, his companion Prince Ludwig who lost his life in the battle, and their soldiers in defeating the Turks and recovering the city of Belgrade for the Holy Roman Empire. The oldest known record of the song comes from a handwritten songbook of 1719. The lyricist is unknown.

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

 Read the Kronoskaf WSS page on the Austrians here

Generalities about the Austrian uniform here

Feldzüge des Prinzen Eugen von Savoyen. Nach den Feldacten und anderen authentischen Quellen hrsg. von der Abtheilung für Kriegsgeschichte des K.K. Kriegs-Archives here

New from Strelets WSS

 Great box art. I have to admit when I saw the Eureka WSS I wondered if they would work with Strelets? These look good - see the figs at Plastic Soldier Review. 

If you wish to know what is out there this page will help

Seated Cavalier Jacob Duck 1655

 Interesting painting. Anyone know more about this? Clothing is interesting.  Jacob Duck - Wikipedia


Spanish Army Fifes and Drums

 0:00-0:49 Marcha Granadera

0:50-1:34 Generala 1:35-2:43 Marcha Fusilera 2:44-3:33 Marcha de Pífanos y Tambores 3:34-4:09 Calacuerda 4:10-4:41 Llamada 4:42-5:10 Ataque o Carga 5:11-6:07 Marcha de las Guardias Walonas 6:08-6:59 Orden y Retreta 7:00-8:01 Retreta de Suyssos 8:01-8:29 Diana 8:30-9:13 Asamblea de las Guardias Walonas 9:14-10:44 Asamblea de las Guardias Españolas 10:44-12:08 Marcha Tradicional de Ingenieros

Eureka Miniatures WSS

 


For your miniature gaming pleasure, we present our 18mm War of Spanish Succession range.

Sculpted by Alan Marsh, these figures represent the armies that fought around Barcelona and across Catalonia between 1706 and 1709, where Spanish Bourbon forces, British expeditionary forces, and Catalan allies clashed in the struggle for the Spanish throne. From the siege of Barcelona to the campaigns across the Catalan countryside, these figures capture the Mediterranean theatre of Europe's great dynastic war.
Find them all here: https://tinyurl.com/cvasnxwu

Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Bacon's Rebellion

 

troops sent to crush the Rebellion by G Embleton

Started today in 1676. Wiki

Fifes and Drums of the French Royal Military

 Anybody know the musicians? 

00:00-1:30 La Musette

1:31-4:24 Marche Pour le Regiment Zurlauben 4:25-5:53 Le Spagnolette 5:54-8:47 Marche Pour Le Regiment de Saintonge 8:48-12:18 Gavotte 12:19-16:00 La Dardanus 16:01-20:07 Les Amusements De La Loire / Philidor / La Victorieuse 20:08-22:15 Danse de Village 22:16-24:33 Marche Royale de France