From Bruno Mugnai

 

King's Lifeguard of Horse. 15mm Steel Fist Miniatures by Little Lances

 Little Lances

Louis XIV's Marshals of France

Get it here

James Falkner explores the careers and leadership of France’s exceptional Marshals during Louis XIV's reign, shaping European warfare.

For over 70 years, from 1643 to 1715, Louis XIV fought a series of increasingly bitter wars with the Dutch, the Spanish, the British and the Austrians. During his long reign France was the foremost power in Europe and the king used his military and economic strength to expand French territory to the north into the Low Countries, to the Rhine, and south to the Pyrenees. To enable this expansion, and defend it against the powerful armies that combined to oppose him, he depended on a select group of exceptional commanders – remarkable men close to the throne, who held the prestigious title of Marshal of France. These are the distinguished soldiers James Falkner focuses on in this perceptive and original study, and their colourful careers and long-reaching campaigns give us a fascinating insight into the European warfare of the period and into their relationship with their master, the Sun King.

Among them are Turenne, the pre-eminent commander of the early years of Louis’s reign; Luxembourg who never lost a battle; elegant Villeroi who confronted the Duke of Marlborough at the Battle of Ramillies; Boufflers, famous for his defence of Lille; Villars who remarkably outwitted and defeated Prince Eugene; Tallard, who endured catastrophe and capture at the Battle of Blenheim; Berwick, James II’s illegitimate son, the English Marshal; and brawling Vendôme who, though defeated at Oudenarde, later triumphed against the British and Austrians in Spain.

Their skill as commanders and their qualities of leadership during a turbulent era in European history are a primary focus of James Falkner’s absorbing book, but he also looks at them as remarkable and varied individuals who expressed the military spirit of their age

Bridgwater Market Cross

Still there in 1730. Definitely there in 1685
 

Taunton Castle

 Taunton Castle early 19thc. from Somerset Illustrated The County's Heritage in prints and drawings

Battle of Vilshofen 1745

 The Battle of Vilshofen was fought on 28 March 1745 between France and Austria. The Austrians won the battle, before plundering Vilshofen.

English Civil War Reenactment, 1970s

 Anybody recognise the site? Looks lovely. Good weather and everything. 

Sedgemoor exhibition - 340 years on

 Details here. Read about it in the Guardian here

Planned French invasion of Britain (1708)

 

French Admiral Claude de Forbin (1656–1733) had little faith in the expedition from the start.

The Planned French Invasion of Britain,^[a] took place in March 1708 during the War of the Spanish Succession. Hoping to divert British resources from Flanders, a French Navy expedition was ordered to transport 5,000–6,000 soldiers to northeast Scotland. Once landed, they would help local Jacobites restore James Francis Edward Stuart to the throne of Great Britain.

Using a fleet of fast privateers, its commander Claude de Forbin reached Scotland. However, with the Royal Navy in close pursuit, the troops were unable to disembark and he was forced to return home. Lack of French support meant substantive local backing failed to materialise, and the Scottish Jacobites dispersed without significant military action.

Coming soon in English and Italian editions

 

Sir Thomas Brown Commemoration , 18 March

 Thomas Brown is a hero of Dettingen - read about him here

The Queen's Royal Hussars Museum Warwick

For those who can make it please see details below

All should plan to arrive and park at the Blue Bell Pub in Yarm TS16 0JF at 1040hrs and then walk into the High St to the Heritage Centre. We will be met at 1100hrs and have a chance to see artifacts and the detail regarding Sir Thomas Brown and his relationship with Yarm, and importantly establish a link with our museum in Warwick. We will then walk across to St Mary Magdeline Church to see Sir Thomas's Headstone that was erected after a formal parade by QOH in 1968. Following that we are booked in to lunch at the Blue Bell (Pub Grub) at 1300hrs.

BARRY LYNDON 1975 Stanley Kubrick - Battle of Villinghausen

 As we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of this film. 

Regiment Spinola anno 1700

 Facebook. Picture is from their first event of the season at the Citadel Namur. I think they are Belgian. 

Siege of Namur 1695 and the British Grenadiers

 This year is the 330th of the Siege of Namur. 

The 1695 siege of Namur or second siege of Namur took place during the Nine Years' War between 2 July and 4 September 1695. Its capture by the French in the 1692 siege and recapture by the Grand Alliance in 1695 are often viewed as the defining events of the war; the second siege is considered to be William III's most significant military success during the war.^[3]

The siege had a big impact at the time and was featured in the 1769 book Tristram Shandy

The assault by 3,000 British troops on the Terra Nova earthwork on 31 August spearheaded by 700 grenadiers is alleged to have been the inspiration for the song "The British Grenadiers".^{[citation needed]}

Image by Patrice Courcelle in the book Perfeection of Military Discipline which is great. 

Confrontation of Kings, 1656:

 Confrontation of Kings, 1656: The Three-Day Battle of Warsaw in the Swedish Deluge, 1655-1660 from our Century of the Soldier 1618-1721 series is now available!

Confrontation of Kings brings to English readers, for the first time, the largest battle of the Swedish Deluge (1655–1660). Over three days, the Swedish-Brandenburg Alliance clashed with Polish, Lithuanian, and Tatar forces in a struggle for dominance in the Baltic. It was both a contest of military styles and a fierce rivalry between Polish King John II Casimir and Sweden’s Charles X Gustavus.

Based on contemporary sources, including unpublished soldier accounts, this in-depth study details the battle, the armies’ organisation, and the military systems of Sweden, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Brandenburg-Prussia, and the Crimean Tatars. With fresh research on a little-known war, it offers valuable insights for both military history enthusiasts and scholars.

Save £5 off RRP until Tuesday 18th March - no code needed!

Buy it here: https://www.helion.co.uk/.../confrontation-of-kings-1656...

Battle of Jankov 6.3.1645

 

Photos from Šance pro Šanci 

''We went to the Central Bohemian Region to participate. 380th anniversary of the bloodiest battle of the Thirty years' war. On Saturday the 8th March 2025, the village and the surrounding areas in Habrovka were transformed into a historical battlefield during a traditional memorial event, where Swedish and Imperial armies clashed in a reconstruction of the famous conflict.'' Wiki on the battle

Forlorn Hope ECW rules

 This is a set of rules I enjoyed. Love the cover of this - can't remember the artist's name though - brings back memories. Reviewed here

A later version - get them here

Pendraken ECW

 From 1642-1652 England, Scotland and Ireland were embroiled in a series of wars, resulting in the death of a king and the formation of a commonwealth. Our 10mm English Civil War ranges cover everything you need, so have a browse here: https://www.pendraken.co.uk/10mm-renaissance-english... #sundayshowcase

Le Régiment de Champagne

Facebook for this newish French group. 
 

Giberne WAS

 

French infantry leather cartridge pouch, taken at the Battle of Dettingen, 1743

https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1963-10-331-1

le régiment d’Alsace Infanterie 1757 - Rigo

 Read about them here

By The Sword Divided Part 1 Episode 1 - Gather Ye Rosebuds

 British series from 1983 to 85. The other episodes are here, This was a really good series set in the Civil War. Reenactors were used for the siege sequences. Wiki

Modes of 1678

 Etching and engraving. Costume plate by Jean Lepautre after Jean Bérain. Habit d'Hyver, appearing in January 1678 Extraordinaire of the Mercure Galant; French.

1750 Dummy Board

 pic from here

Antique Dummy Boards

 

A Scots Guardsman in the Great Hall at Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire, which was painted by Elizabeth Creed between 1715 and 1717. © National Trust/Lynda Aiano - -

Article here also Here

Devereux's 1987

 I am in this photo as a pikeman. Botley Hampshire. Photo Andy James. Webpage 

Soldiers Plastic Platoon TYW

 From Russia I believe. Facebook. Impressive sculpts. 

View of the rebels as they were brought pinioned to London'.

A scene from the 1715 uprising.
View zoomable image in Jacobite prints and broadsides

Fanfan la Tulipe (1952) original trailer

 A comedy. Was remade in 2003 but it isn't much cop. Wiki. I believe it is based on a real person. 

Fife & Drum: "La générale de la Garde Française", J.B. Lully

 Translation

Military band for fifes and drums, Louis XIV period.

Drum battery made by M. de Luly, the tune of the fifes made by Philidor lainé.
This is how this aria is designated in the 1705 manuscript of André Danican Philidor.
The adaptation for 4 fifes in B flat was directed by Jérôme Orlandini.
The drum drums, although rhythmically faithful to the original, have been rewritten to correspond a little better to modern drumming techniques without losing their authenticity.
All the games are played by Jérôme Orlandini.

Fife & Drum: la "Marche Royale", Philidor

 This is a translation

Military music score for fifes and drums, Louis XIV period.

Royal march with 3 oboe trebles or fifes for the French March, made by Philidor Lainé in the year 1679.
This is how this aria is designated in the 1705 manuscript of André Danican Philidor.
The adaptation for 3 fifes in B flat was directed by Jérôme Orlandini.
The drum kit, while rhythmically faithful to the original, has been rewritten to better match modern drumming techniques without losing its authenticity.

18th C. French Drumming

 Interesting webpage for the subject. Painting by Watteau

French camp scene

 Full painting which is zoomable here

10mm late 17th century

 The Nine Years War ran from 1688-1697 and involved most of the major European powers. Our outstanding League of Augsburg range allows you to refight these battles, along with the Williamite Wars in Ireland as well. Have a browse here: https://www.pendraken.co.uk/10mm-renaissance-league-of...

Glenshiel 1719 by Jordi Bru photography

  from here https://jesusfidelis.blogspot.com/.../la-batalla-de...

Jenn Scott has yellow cuffs for this regiment of Spanish in 'I am Minded to Rise'

Earl of Bath's Regiment in 1686

Thanks to Stephen Tindle for this. From the January 1982 issue of Military Modelling the colour plate by Bryan Fosten for the first in the series by D.S.V. Fosten of 'Cut of the Cloth'
 

Capture of Vigo and Pontevedra 1719

 

The capture of Vigo and Pontevedra (also known as the British expedition to Vigo and Pontevedra) occurred in October 1719 during the War of the Quadruple Alliance when a British expedition made a descent on the Spanish coast.^[4] They then captured the settlements of Vigo, Redondela and Pontevedra after some resistance, which they occupied for ten days destroying or capturing a vast haul of military stores before withdrawing.^[5][6]