Right and after the sillyness of Pingu, here is a quick vid just to show that we don't just fool around at these gatherings
Toy soldiers coming soon I promise:0)
Monday, 14 June 2010
Suffolk Free Company Training
So now it's June and the nights are lighter we have taken our bi-weekliy training session outdoors. Last Tuesday saw six of us get kitted up and hitting people. Bendy and Dangerous Pete couldn't make it. We did some sword work, bill drill and Ant and Jon T went at it with glaives too. I grabbed a camera and took some pics and video. Here are some of the results.
Right and after the sillyness of Pingu, here is a quick vid just to show that we don't just fool around at these gatherings
Toy soldiers coming soon I promise:0)
Right and after the sillyness of Pingu, here is a quick vid just to show that we don't just fool around at these gatherings
Toy soldiers coming soon I promise:0)
Monday, 7 June 2010
Suffolks at the Colchester Oyster Fayre
Last weekend was one of our favourite events of the year, the Colchester Oyster Fayre. Set in the Lower Castle Park in the middle of Colchester, Essex. This is one of the largest medieval fairs in the country and in all a very relaxed experience.
This year a small group of my medieval household decided not to join the rest of the MSS at the bash at the other end of the A12, at South Weald, instead we took our encampent to the Oyster Fayre as a favour to the organiser Ted (A long time friend from Kentwell Hall) We had a great pitch with plenty of space. As it was the half term holidays we were able to get there early and for once get set up with plenty of time to spare.
This event had other groups laying on scheduled displays, some of which were, questionable in authenticity, but entertaining nonetheless. So we were able just to do our thing. Saturday was damn hot, too hot for donning combat kit so we just went about our usual camp life. Bess (my goodwife) spent all day felting and drew huge crowds. It never ceases to amaze me that so many people are fascinated by the felting process. Lorna dyed (that's changed the colour of wool not expired at regular intervals, Lord Francis cooked and I wrote and talked medieval toss to all and any who showed an interest.
I had a great discussion with a young man who is in the cavalry and recently returned from Afghanistan, he was fascinated (as were his wife and two small children most of the time)by the weaponry, armour and the logistics of medieval warfare. He said to me he had respect for what we were doing! Blimey this was a guy who spent several months with a hidden enemy taking potshots at him and he respected us. I just get to interpret history and talk about what it must have been like wearing all this gear and having arrows raining down, and this guy, several years my junior, had really been there, made me feel quite humble.
So apart from the Living History what else made it a good weekend? Meeting loads of friends, most getting geared up for Kentwell; Some good medieval shopping. Great company around campfires in the evening; James from Fairbow and his late night fire poi; Having the opportunity to fight with Bendy,Francis and Dangerous Pete; People watching; there are loads of goths in Colchester, most amusing these days; A great German guy selling fab fruit wines and meads.
All in all a fantastic weekend, and not even the over night thunderstorm, which had me up at 04:00 rescuing our dining shelter or the pouring rain when we broke the camp down on Sunday could spoil it. Roll on next year we will definitely return.
Right at this point I ought to thank Bendy for his photos again and I might get round to writing about some toy soldier bits soon. I might get a game in this coming weekend as it is the only weekend in June/July where I am not at a reenactment. But between then and now I have combat training and a new tattoo to get through.
This year a small group of my medieval household decided not to join the rest of the MSS at the bash at the other end of the A12, at South Weald, instead we took our encampent to the Oyster Fayre as a favour to the organiser Ted (A long time friend from Kentwell Hall) We had a great pitch with plenty of space. As it was the half term holidays we were able to get there early and for once get set up with plenty of time to spare.
This event had other groups laying on scheduled displays, some of which were, questionable in authenticity, but entertaining nonetheless. So we were able just to do our thing. Saturday was damn hot, too hot for donning combat kit so we just went about our usual camp life. Bess (my goodwife) spent all day felting and drew huge crowds. It never ceases to amaze me that so many people are fascinated by the felting process. Lorna dyed (that's changed the colour of wool not expired at regular intervals, Lord Francis cooked and I wrote and talked medieval toss to all and any who showed an interest.
I had a great discussion with a young man who is in the cavalry and recently returned from Afghanistan, he was fascinated (as were his wife and two small children most of the time)by the weaponry, armour and the logistics of medieval warfare. He said to me he had respect for what we were doing! Blimey this was a guy who spent several months with a hidden enemy taking potshots at him and he respected us. I just get to interpret history and talk about what it must have been like wearing all this gear and having arrows raining down, and this guy, several years my junior, had really been there, made me feel quite humble.
So apart from the Living History what else made it a good weekend? Meeting loads of friends, most getting geared up for Kentwell; Some good medieval shopping. Great company around campfires in the evening; James from Fairbow and his late night fire poi; Having the opportunity to fight with Bendy,Francis and Dangerous Pete; People watching; there are loads of goths in Colchester, most amusing these days; A great German guy selling fab fruit wines and meads.
All in all a fantastic weekend, and not even the over night thunderstorm, which had me up at 04:00 rescuing our dining shelter or the pouring rain when we broke the camp down on Sunday could spoil it. Roll on next year we will definitely return.
Right at this point I ought to thank Bendy for his photos again and I might get round to writing about some toy soldier bits soon. I might get a game in this coming weekend as it is the only weekend in June/July where I am not at a reenactment. But between then and now I have combat training and a new tattoo to get through.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Windy Welwyn
Well last weekend just goes to show that it is possible to have a good time despite 'orrible conditions. I was at a 15th Century re-enactment with my Household the Suffolk Free Company, part of the Medieval Siege Society, in Windy Welwyn Garden City. The weather was to say the least, shocking! Saturday constant rain miserable, really didn't inspire us to do much that wasn't undercover. Did get a Skirmish in in the morning, which we (Yorkists) won. We (the Suffolks) fought in the colours of the Duke of Worcester for this event. You can spot suffolks fighting in the yellow and white of Worcester as they are often wearing blue and yellow items too.
Skirmish and Battle won one lost one. Monday only one large battle, which we lost:0(
So we'll call it a score draw then.
Of course the battles follow a script so we know who is supposed to win, but all the fighting is unrehearsed so it's pretty real.
The saving grace for the event was that it is always great to get away with the people you like and get out of the Rat Race for a while. Getting to lay into someone with a metre long sword is a great way to relieve stress. So thanks to all those who played, even the Lancastrians, we have to have someone to kill afterall.
Monday, 24 May 2010
Bloody Murder
Right then first post about Living History. I thought I would post a series of photos of me taken at Cressing Temple Barns. This was a battle fought with the MSS (Medieval Siege Society) In this sequence the battle is pretty much finished. I am wearing the colours of the house of Worcester. My household the Suffolk Free Company will often fight for the Earl of Worcester if he pays us enough.
The enemy were trying to surrender I approached this valiant warrior. He offered to come quietly.
But then my Lord, Sir John Tiptoft, the Earl Of Worcester, Butcher of England cried "No prisoners, No Quarter!"
So as I am but a mercenary fighting for coin I did as my employer bade me.
The young man stood no chance, he had already reversed his sword for me to take it, he did not expect a blow to the gut.
I love this shot, captured at the moment of death!
The dead man is left to lie on the field. His boots were the wrong size for me. I'm sure some other scum would help themsleves to them.
A great set of photos taken by Paul Dunt. (thanks Paul)
The enemy were trying to surrender I approached this valiant warrior. He offered to come quietly.
But then my Lord, Sir John Tiptoft, the Earl Of Worcester, Butcher of England cried "No prisoners, No Quarter!"
So as I am but a mercenary fighting for coin I did as my employer bade me.
The young man stood no chance, he had already reversed his sword for me to take it, he did not expect a blow to the gut.
I love this shot, captured at the moment of death!
The dead man is left to lie on the field. His boots were the wrong size for me. I'm sure some other scum would help themsleves to them.A great set of photos taken by Paul Dunt. (thanks Paul)
More French & Indian Wars
A couple more photos of my French and Indian Wars figures. These are from Sash & Saber, I have just recieved a set of 400mm Huron from the Honourable Lead Bolier Suit Company, which should go well with these. Hopefully Ant will bring some of his British figures next time he comes round nad I will get to photo them too.
Saturday, 22 May 2010
French & Indian Wars
So here are some photos of some of the figures I am working on for a French & Indian Wars skirmish game I hope to play. These are 40mm figures from Sash & Saber. They are from their Woodland Indians with muskets set and their Courier de Bois set. Lovely models great to paint.
Wargaming priorities.
Hmmm I find this the hardest part of my hobby, so many periods, toys and models, so little time. Many years ago it would have been fair to say that I got very little finished and I always was moving on to the next thing before I had got even close to finishing what I had previously started. Nowadays this definitely isn’t the case.
The problem these days is that along with the rules, figures and models I am often producing websites for the games and campaigns I am playing in. All of these things take time and need to have time given to them.
So the gaming projects that I am working on at the moment and need to prioritise include (Not in any particular order)
French & Indian Wars- 40mm figures and skirmish scenery. Fantastic models from Sash & Saber and the Honourable Lead Boiler Suit Company. Great opportunity to make some new scenery. This project started with a reenactor mate of mine, Ant, after yet another viewing of Last Of The Mohicans.
1809 – Voltigeur 28mm Napoleonic invasion of the
Necromunda – the mother of all good skirmish campaign systems. A new campaign about to start with some grown up ex-pupils of mine.
End Of Empire – an ongoing project, always with new ideas and models check out the website.
Warhammer Ahoy! Edition 3 the rules are written and I am working on fleet lists and other stuff plus a new website.
Articles for Wargames Illustrated, following my recent trilogy for 1588 And All That I am working on some new articles firstly End Of Empire, but maybe some other stuff too.
So only the future will tell what gets priority.
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