Recent days and plans

Last night I completed another part of the Skogsmork army. On the go I have a unit of militia and a jaeger unit. The figures look pretty good - flock covers a multitude of sins! I hope to post pictures soon. It is a year ago , almost to the day , since I got my copy of BAR and this autumn I look forward to getting some more games in as my regular opponent starts the Prussians. Over the summer I hope to get my 15th Century Germans nearly finished and then the SYW awaits ....

Today...

Some sun but lots of rain! I spent much of the day painting units for the Duchy of Skogsmork and painting a flag or two. Figs look ok and hope there might be an encounter of a small nature betwixt the two duchies in the not too distant future...

Skogsmork meets Tony Bath...

Today was Midsommer- beautiful a.m and very rainy tonight. I decided , whilst cutting the grass , to work out the characters of Duke Otto's widow Ulrika and her son Wolfgang - as illustrated left ...

The wonderful campaign book by Tony Bath provided a superb methodology. Dice were thrown and the results came up as following:

Ulrika is,vicious,open handed,loyal, striking in looks, much loved by the people, of average intelligence and active with initiative!

Wolfgang is open and sunny,totally depraved,has a thrifty tendency, is bribable,striking of appearance, much liked by the people ,very intelligent and active!

Two interesting characters to portray upon the wargames table and to interact on the Blog here. I hope to post further details about the Duchy of Skogsmork soon and perhaps an entry will appear in Brother James' book in due course.

The Duchy of Skogsmork will raise some forces as time ,money and energy ( not necessarily in that order ) will allow. A good Midsommer to you one and all!

Midsommer Preparations

In the Duchy of Tradgardland preparations are underway to celebrate Midsommer...

The pavilions are raised against the blue of heaven and a canvas town has emerged upon the heath.

This year Karl Frederick directs all from the bed upon which he is lain. He is still recovering from the wound incurred upon the duelling ground.

In between organising and directing the myriad servants , each laden for the coming feast, he frets about what will become of relations between Tradgardland and Skogsmork. He settles upon the thought that this is Midsommer - what possibly could go wrong?

Sorrow and Surprise...

Wolfgang , of the Duchy of Skogsmork, upon hearing of the untimely death of his father Duke Otto...

Post Duel...

The coach stops at the first friendly dwelling upon the Tradgardland side of the border. The Duke and Duchess still are dazed by the outcome of their recent trip to Skogsmork...

Duke Karl Frederick was wounded by a sword thrust which has left him with wounds which have finally been staunched by the Duchess. After the duel the Ducal couple were hurried to a waiting coach ( by friends unknown to them ) whilst chaos erupted all around. Duke Otto lay upon the floor, the rapier still protruding from his chest, his mouth silently moving through the bloody foam...

Meanwhile at that very moment ,when Duke Frederick reaches safety, Duke Otto is being laid out in the Palace Chapel - a thousand purple tapers burning around him. His bereft son pacing the chapel corridors with vengeance upon his mind...

In the Hunting Lodge...

And so it has come to this- the Dukes fight within the Hunting Lodge . A horrified Court look on as Dukes Karl Frederick and Otto fence- dignity gone , intent only upon victory. The two men are exhausted, blood spilt but honour unsatisfied. A lunge, women scream and it is all over...

Little Wars and smaller wars...

Been busy in the garden today planting , weeding and tidying up today after Church.Yesterday was a sucessful school Fayre which raised a lot of money. I enjoy the selling and banter of such events. We had some showers but it was quite hot at times.
The garage is being tidied up and I have found some figures to be recruited into the Skogsmork Ducal army. Little painting is being done but the sun shines and that is great - paint can wait!!
I don't know about you but certain ideas and interests keep coming back regardless of the current main projects ( syw and 15th century Germans ) resurfacing for a time and popping up every so often. Two examples for me are the Swiss and H G Well's Little Wars.
The Swiss stems from holidays there as a boy and toy soldiers bought, developing over time into deeper reading and research. Little Wars is just such an inspiration and the drawing continue to delight me. So at present I am looking into 1912 Swiss troops to be raised for Little Wars. I am part of a yahoo group looking at this and in touch with some interesting chaps.Figures will be 54mm and trad Toy Soldier style- we will see where this goes
to...
The storyline regarding Duke Karl will continue very soon along with info on the army of the Duchy of Tradgardland. Watch this space .

Safety?

Shaken,dazed yet alive ,the Duke and Duchess of Tradgardland are led to the Hunting Lodge of Chateauheralte. They enter into a large hall. At the far end of it, amidst the chaos and stench of a score of ill -looking hunting dogs, sits the Duke of Skogsmork. He raises his eyes from his favourite hound and fixes his gaze upon the Ducal couple:

Greetings Brother and Sister! I trust you are recovered from your journey. Come closer and let me see how Time has treated you both...

Zinnfiguren...

Whilst cleaning the garage out with the family today I came across a figure of an 18th Century cavalryman- it was a flat. I must of got him years ago. This was most fortuitous as I have become increasingly interested in the World of Flats or Zinnfiguren. I recently ordered a document about coats of arms from a manufacturer of Flats. They kindly sent a cd rom of their figures. I fear I could get hooked. Steady , I say to myself, try the figure you have first! Do any of you gentlemen know much about this exciting and arcane world opening before me?

On the road to the Duchy of Skogsmork...

Duke Karl Frederick travelled towards the Duchy of Skogsmork in brilliant June sunshine. He had made certain that his favourite small sword was packed, along with tennis racket and telescope.Upon entering the Forest the light was greatly diminished. Vague dwellings and large Elk could be observed upon reaching the border and cross it. The coach, also carrying Duchess Liv and servants carried on through the seemingly never- ending forest.

They had been travelling for some hours, reflected Karl Frederick, as he confirmed the time of day by sun and pocket watch. Screaming from outside alerted the Duke and Duchess that much was amiss. The coach had lost a wheel- a sense of speed, scraping and vibration and then darkness...

A letter from Duke Otto to Duke Karl Frederick

My Brother

I greet you in the name of the

Duchy of Skogsmork and as a member of those chosen by God to rule under Heaven.

It is too long since we met - many years since we met in my dear father's time. Our paths have gone in ways diverse- we both have ruled our Duchies- you for years me for so little time.

We share a passion for the Great and High art of the rapier and the dagger. And so I propose that you come to visit me here in the Duchy that we might take a measure at sword length. In doing so may we converse also upon the events closest to the hearts of our Duchies. I expect you upon the next Sunday - a welcome like no other awaits .

your servant and friend

Otto Duke of Skogsmork

Celebrations

The Duke will go tomorrow to inspect the formal knot garden one year on after it's planting. The head gardener will give his report and the day will end in fireworks and celebrations until dawn. The whole Ducal family and Court will be in attendance.

Tomorrow the Duchy of Tradgardland Blog will be one year old - many thanks to all her visitors. It has been a good year in the 18th century in your company - thanks to one and all...