A surprise package..

The Duke is sitting at breakfast- the carp was excellent and just cooked to perfection, when a knock comes to the door.He asks the footman to enter. He comes in carrying a sealed document case bearing the seal of Von Bergmann.
The Duke opens it and sees within some illustrations pertaining to the army of Danmark Norroway. Also a letter as follows
To Duke Karl Frederick Greetings from Von Bergman in Norroway!
I send the greetings of the Norroway Governor and also these portrayals of his forces. He assures you that if you see such uniformed men on the field of Mars they shall be with and for Tradgardland rather than in opposition.
Von Bergman

The Dukes ponders all he has seen and read . Von Bergmann may have done the Duchy a great service he muses.....

Tony Bath

Today I have been working out the character of my Army Commanders using the chart on page 41 of "Setting up a Wargames Campaign " by Tony Bath. It was first published in 1973 and still is very useful indeed. Whats more it is great fun! I look forward to introducing them to you soon..

Carp

Today throughout the Duchy the carp herders are preparing for the annual visit of the Ducal Fish Pond Inspectorate. As carp form a large part of the stable diet it is important that the hereditary ponds belonging to each community are maintained to a high standard. The carp warden is a position handed down from father to son or daughter. They maintain the food supply on behalf of the community and are paid by community member's working their land in return. So today the Carp Warden uniforms are brushed off and donned once more, the silver badge of office burnished and they are ready!

Birch Wine

The Duke and Duchess have beeen invited to sample the Annual Birch Wine which is now ready . The wine is made from Birch Sap - collected when it is rising.

They make their way through the cellars that lie within hailing distance of the Sea in Althavn. It has become custom for the Ducal Family to sample the wine prior to the sale of it at the Advent Markets soon to take place. The wine is poured into the ceremonial silver flagon and poured into the wine glasses of the Duke and Duchess. With due care and attention to the solemnity of the day they drink and drink once more. With the ceremonial words -The Birch is well and well for all ! pronounced the Duke will sit and take his ease again. This afternoon he is to visit the rehearsals of the Mystery Play depicting the legend of the golden herring.

Narrator : if anyone reading would like to try Birch wine may I humbly suggest they seek out Silver Birch Wine by Moniack Castle Winery , Inverness , Scotland. It is well worth the search and effort...

Weekend in Tradgardland and reality..

It has been a pleasant Weekend . I have read about Stollen on the Duchy Blog , helped the family make some Christmas decorations and watched some of Barry Lyndon amongst other things.
I also finished off some of the Legione Tradgardland. They are jaeger. Notice the unique grey uniform which is worn by the regimental marksman - winner of the annual shooting contest. It is most highly competed for and sought after. I fear the photos are not the best I have taken but at least give a flavour of things painted. Next I will tackle some fusiliers and commanding officer. Back to work tomorrow and seven days to the start of Advent - I can hardly wait....

On Thursday I had a game of DBM - first for ages. My English of Henry v111 were soundly beaten by my regular opponents Swiss. He did not lose a single element whilst I lost too many to mention. Next time I think we shall go for my Early Imperial Romans against his Germans /renegade Romans under Civilis. Now I wonder what the Duchy of Tradgardland was doing in the centuries prior to the !8th Century.....

Time goes by so slowly....

Alisona finds herself upon a ship. The events of the last few days have left her dazed and confused. She suddenly realises that she is now on a passage for Europa. Flashbacks of her time in Ny Tradgardland flicker through her mind - hearth,home and husband. She sobs only to be comforted by fellow passengers who share her poverty and her journey.

Danes 1762

The following came from T Snorason of Chakoten . I reprint it here with my gratitude:
Ordre de Bataille of the Danish Army June-July 1762.(Source O. Vaupel: "Den danske hærs historie", bd II, p.97-98.Copenhagen 1876.)Commanding general: count Louis Saint GermainGeneral Quartermaster: F.E. GählerGeneral Quartermaster Leutenant: J. LehmannGeneral Adjudants: A. Hauch,K. Görtz,K. LohenskjoldF. NumsenCommander of Artillery: V. HuthHead of Fortifications: J. de Feignet1st Division: prince Emil of Augustenborg(8 battalions, 13 guns and 4 squadrons)1st Brigade: Count F.L. Daneskjold-Laurvig:The Foot Guard (only 1 batallion) U.A. HolsteinThe Grenadier Corps J. ScholtenLivregimentet J. Wildenrath5 pieces of 36 pds haubitzers2 pieces of 4 pds2nd Brigade: Count Ysenburg Budingen:Bornholmske Infanteri Regiment E. BlücherSlesvigske Infanteri Regiment V. Lühe6 pieces of 12 pds3.rd Jydske (Jutland) Rytterregiment C. Lüttichau2nd Division: prince Karl Ferdinand von Bevern(8 battalions, 12 guns and 4 squadrons)3rd Brigade: R. Keith:Dronningens (the Queens) Liferegiment K. GehlerSjællandske (Seeland) Infanteri RegimentH. von der Maase6 pieces of 6pds4th Brigade: O. OstenOldenburgske Infanteri Regiment K. SamesFalsterske Infanteri Regiment Prince Karl of Hesse6 pieces of 6 pdsSlesvigske Rytterregiment P Rosenørn, later F. Sehested3rd Division: count Waldemar Schmettow(8 battalions, 12 guns, 4 squadrons and 2 Free Corps)5th Brigade: F. Wedell-JarlsbergSøndenfjeldske Infanteri Regiment (N) K. HvitfeldtAkerhusske Infanteri Regiment (N) J. Koss6 pieces of 6 pds6th Brigade: K. SchnellNordenfjeldske Infanteri Regiment (N) H. TønsbergOplandske Infanteri Regiment (N) K. Giese6 pieces of 6pdsHussar Regiment Kaspar Moltke2 Free corps: formed by and under the names of Favin and Lallieux(names of the commanders)4th Division: prince Albrekt of Anhalt Bernburg(8 battalions, 12 guns 4 squadrons)7th Brigade: B. BülowKronprinsens (Crownprince) Infanteri RegimentF. JohansenHolstenske Infanteri Regiment O. RantzauPrins Frederiks Infanteri Regiment H. Arenfeldt6 pieces of 6 pds8th Brigade: H. WindtzJydske Infanteri Regiment J. DehnMønske Infanteri Regiment M. Gerdorff6 pieces of 6 pds2nd Jydske Rytterregiment K. Dreschel1st Cavalry Division: Karl Riepur(16 squadrons)1st Brigade: F. PlessenLivregiment Dragoner (Lifedragoons) (Moltke?)Livregiment Kyrasserer K. Holstein2nd Brigade: J. BrockdorffHolstenske Rytterregiment K. MoltkeOldenborgske Rytterregiment L. Lersner2nd Cavalry Division: count Konrad Ahlefeld(16 squadrons)3rd Brigade: N.G. Schinkel1st Jyske Rytterregiment K. Weitersheim2nd Fynske Rytterregiment K. Schöller4th Brigade: K. HolckSjællandske Rytterregiment U. Woperschnow1st Fynske Rytterregiment K. F. HolsteinReserve: count F. Ahlefeldt(14 battalions and 8 squadrons)1st Brigade: R. Rømeling1st Norwegian Field Regiment H. Gude2nd Norweigian Field regiment D. Eimhaus2nd Brigade: V. MüllerGrenadierbattalion PerglasGrenadierbattalion WittenGrenadierbattalion KreberGrenadierbattalion Bessel3rd Brigade: K.F. IngenhaeffTrondhjemske Infanteri Regiment (N) G. KroghGrenadierbattalion HaxthausenGrenadierbattalion DietrichsonGrenadierbattalion BayerGrenadierbattalion KossCavalrybrigade: K. Wilster1st Norweigian Dragoon Corps O. Brockenhuus2nd Norweigian Dragoon Corps F. SehestedtArtillery: 48 piecesTotal: 46 battalions, 56 squadrons, 100 guns and 3 Free Corps. (Thecurious third Free Corps possibly could be the Hussar Regiment, as itwas an ad hoc unit. Disbanded some years after the war. Raised tocounter the Russian light cavalry of cossacks and the like ilk.)According to list of 12th July the infantry was 685 officers, 21.700ncos and men. 149 officers were away and 2.340 men sick.The cavalry 272 officers and 7.313 ncos and men. 72 officers away and311 sick cavalrymen. Artillery 19 officers, 53 ncos, 195 sergeantgunners (overkonstabler) 15 tambours and 368 gunners (underkonstabler).Total 30.580 men plus the 2 Free Corps of Favin and Lallieux.
Apologies for formatting -due to Blog not T Snorason

Rest Eternal..............

The idyll is over and Alisona remains numb with the events of recent days. Of one thing she is certain -after the funeral she will take a passage for Tradgardland. At her feet a well thumbed Missal lies open at the story of the Prodigal Son....

Narrator : in the event of Alisona returning permanently to her Father in Tradgardland this Blog will continue to visit Ny Tradgardland for the entertainment and edification of all readers everywhere!

Out of character

Home early from work on Friday and digging deep under the stairs to just see what figs are there. I have decided to collect Austrians and beef up those I already have. Theses will form the major opposition to the Prussians a friend is planning. However I will continue to do justice to the Tradgardlanders.

I have been looking for another idea to paint/research and I have decided upon the Danish Norwegian army of 1762. I started upon the Danish life guard of foote yesterday- Prussian style uniforms with red coats. The picture is one I found on the Web of danish uniforms of the period- enjoy!

Ny tradgardland - on patrol

A Militia officer ( Alisona's husband) is out on patrol with the militia and their scouts. They have observed the movement of Brittanian troops.They are moving in great numbers.

Suddenly a shot rings out and the Brittanian Scouts are upon the Tradgardlanders. A confused melee ensues and the Tradgardlanders are killed ,wounded or fled into the forest.

The Tradgardland officer lies dying upon the ground -the image of his beloved filling his mind until the blackness and the coming tunnel of light..................

The newly reformed army............

Army of the Duchy of Tradgardland Nov 1757 AD
Cin C Duke Karl Frederick

1st Brigade - Von Hertzog
1st and 2nd Batts Tradgargland Infantry

2nd Brigade – Baron D’Orval
3rd and 4th Batts Tradgardland Infantry

3rd Brigade – Von Genson
5th Batt Tradgardland Infantry and Marine Batt

Cavalry Brigade – Von Rasmussen
Heavy Cavalry – 2 Sqdrns
Dragoons – 2 Sqdrns

Huzzar Sqdrns - Von Esterhazy

Legione Tradgard – Duc de Padirac
Comprising mtd jaeger,foot jaeger and fusileers


Corps of Arillerie, and Pyrotechnia
-Major McKay

Army reform - Tradgardland style.

There have been comings and goings all day in the Ducal Palace. Men ,puffed -up with their own self importance have waited hours for a few minutes of the Duke's time. The corridor is full of the hopeful,the disappointed and the resigned. One by one they are called into the presence of Karl Frederick,one by one they leave disguising their feelings with bluff greetings. For this is the day when the officers ( and would- be officers ) find out if they have a place in the reformed army.

The Duke has thought long and hard,realised he will have made enemies but has carried on for the good of Tradgardland. Tomorrow he will address the army and those who command it . Tonight he will dine quietly,exhausted by the day's proceedings, retiring early with his beloved Duchess to their inner sanctum.

Its four in the morning..

From his sickbed Karl Frederick turns his mind to the matters of urgency before him. The Ducal papers are scattered upon the bed. His first task ( long awaiting his attention) is to reorganise the Ducal Army. He has long mulled the matter over in his mind and now is prepared to put his ideas upon parchment - to incarnate his vision and the fruit of his study. He calls for his secretary who returns with ink ,quill and candle . Soon he is scribbling furiously..

The Tradgarland Broadsheet

Yesterday ,whilst leading his jousting team, Karl Frederick fell from his horse. His personal physician was called and the Duke was carried to the Palace. His health is improving but he has been advised not to ride again for the foreseeable future. The current Duke's Father's sedan chair has been dusted off and pressed into service. It is hoped that a fashion will not be manufactured by this event.

A letter to King Frederick V of Denmark and Norway

Dear Brother
I greet you as fellow ruler and head of state under God. I trust this letter finds you of good council and comfort. I am sending this letter to you informing you of the current expedition to the Shetland Isles. I write asking you for supplies of food and gunpowder for our troops in the Northern clime. A good price ,and mutual aid will follow from this if you so desire.
I await your reply
your fraternally
Karl Frederick
Tradgardland

Nightime over the Duchy

From their Palace balcony the Duke and Duchess watch the annual fireworks display put on by the Artillery Guild of St Barbara. As ever an infinite number of patterns and colours have graced the black night sky. The Duke muses upon the events that have illuminated his life so far - marriage, taking up the burden of the Duchy,the birth of his children and the death of one. Life's pleasures and satisfactions light up the sky for an instance and then are gone . Duty to God and Duchy remain constant and comforting ,in a strange way,too.

The Duchess ponders those officers and wives known to her ,some who are upon the sea this night rather than being illuminated by the products of alchemical expertise. She draws closer to her husband as the night turns chilly with the erupting of the stars.