Well Christmas has passed here in Tradgardland most equitably. The weather continues to present challenges and debate as to the safety and necessity of travel. My mother-in -law came for lunch yesterday and Jan was able to take her there and back without too much hassle. Today I hit Edinburgh to see my mother for her birthday and to take her out for part of the day.
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It has been a super day. Further snow arrived overnight and we awoke to a decent (7 inch) amount of snow. Jan and I walked to get the turkey and other food from town and I picked up "Wargames Illustrated" afterwards. Good articles upon the 1st Crusade and the Very British Civil War of 1938.
post some images from the postal history of the Duchy of Tradgardland. Today's offering is from the 1950's and depicts the little know shrine of St Wolfgang (built by the Bergmann Family as a chantry chapel in the 19th century) a few miles south of Tradgardstadt. Tradgardland still retains the right to produce stamps which are eagerly sought by collectors worldwide.
Tradgardland it is Gaudete Sunday. The Duke of Tradgardland ,whilst hearing Mass, reflected upon the Rose colour of the vestments and candle upon the advent Wreath...
It is early morning in the camp near Tradgardstadt. The Tradgardland Militia awake to find sweets placed in their boots (by order of the Duchess herself) to recall the gifts left by St Nicholas. Sleepy headed they arise to another day with spirts lifted amidst the winter cold...
Duke Karl Frederick ,wounded in the recent battle with the forces of the Imperial by artillery, is recovering in the ducal palace. The head wound has laid the Duke low and has caused great concern to the court...
I have finally made a base with a figure representing the Duke of Tradgardland. He is accompanied by his personal standard bearer. They will take their place upon the table for the first time tomorrow in the game against the Imperium.
I trust this finds you well. It has been half term and it has been good to be off for a week. I have enjoyed some time to do some painting and reading and prepare for the last month of the kitchen work- painter starts tomorrow...After my "Charge" game - which was great fun, I intended to post the pictures but they had not come out at all...
One of the joys of the blogging world is to be introduced to something interesting. Many of you will already know "The Big Knights" if you don't you must watch them on video-soon to be on dvd I believe.
With a look of immense relief upon his face Freikorp Kaptain Heider began to roll up the yellow flag with the black pelican upon it.
Taking one wrong turn in the back streets of Tradgardstadt was unfortunate, taking more than one was utter folly...
Coming home from my ADHD course in Edinburgh I stopped off at the Games workshop shop. I haven't played wab for countless years yet I still like to pop in now and then and see what is happening.
Yesterday was spent reinstating the siting room. Myriad books were transported,placed lovingly upon the shelves and the final effect was excellent.Furniture was put carefully upon the new oak floor and the room looks great. There will be a quieter time until the kitchen units arrive from Germany and the decorating completed. We hope all will be finished by the commencing of Advent.
Today (like yesterday) the sun was shining and the grass (long abandoned to its fate due to busy household events of late) was given a couple of cuts.My thoughts went to the lawn's potential for fLW gaming next summer- weather permitting. Sadly I employed the petrol mower rather than the scythe depicted in the Swedish painting in this blog entry. It was a good chance to think about the hobby plans for Winter Quarters:
SYW- games with Bill Protz's rules Tradgardland against the forces of the Imperium currently camped upon the border. Basing to be accomplished and magnetic basing to be employed. Units with be raised for the Duchy from figures I have and I think I will invest in some hussars... A small bishopric may also raise forces - funds and energy permitting...
FLW ( have you seen the super "LittleWars" for the 21st Century rules by Paul wright called "Funny Little Wars"- you must have a look as they are inspirational and witty too.) I will continue to collect 54mm Swiss,sorry Army Red/White, expanding into cavalry and artillery by way of some chalets as scenery. I hope to take the army forward into the age of inter-war mechanised warfare with the odd tank and bicyle towed anti tank guns...I must also finish some army lists for Paul too!! I need to think of an oppostion for Army Red /White too. Those pesky Danes also are rather attractive to model too!
Ancients:still unsure about rules but will probably go down the dbm/dbmm route. Also hope to play test some rules which are period specific. As to which army to finish I am ever torn and go between many, completing none! I am currently reading Sidebottom's newish novel and Sumner's super book on Roman military clothing- I fear they will influence my choice of painting...
1938- A very civil war. Vol 1 of the source book really interested me and I am sooo tempted to dive into yet another period. Vol 2 is out very soon. There is an excellent set of "Old School " rules posted on the gentleman's wargame parlour site for this period which are well worth looking at... not to mention going 54mm and employing FLW.
No doubt I will be derailed from my plans. Already I have been thinking about the sunny and saintly Prince bishop of a small bishopric within the Duchy of Tradgardland. An inspirational 16th century map has really caught my imagination and I feel being sucked into this intriguing and colourful city -state.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend and have fun while the sun shines...
Floor down thankfully! Reasonably normal weekend ( if hectic) to hand and thoughts re re basing 18th century figs. I have just finished basing them 60mm by 40mm with 6 figs per base. Now I feel I have limited myself...
Tried experiment yesterday of basing on 25mm LOTR round plastic base. Fig looks good ( still broken digital camera so no piccies) and I feel I have options for Charge, Bill Protz's rules etc. A great deal of work but worth it. What do you think?
Photo from German photographer mentioned of late upon "Wars of Louis xiv " of late.
Link if you are interested:http://www.history-live-foto.com/bgal3/index.htm
I just love her work -it is amazing !
Back to work tomorrow,bases to order,children to educate,house to return to normality and adventures to be had. Have a good week one and all!
Life is hectic- new term,new boss and the builders in! The kitchen walls are being knocked down to form a larger area incorporating the hall and a new oak flooring is being laid upon the dining/sitting rooms. The upshot is all books are in the process of being moved ,everything is in the wrong place and it is indeed the domestic world turned upside down.
It has meant I have seen books and figures I have not laid eyes upon for years. I am in a dilemma as to wheter to give rules I don't play to the Charity shop. My wife ,sensibly remarked,that I would probably end up buying a new copy in months to come so not to bother!
There are so many uncompleted projects have out of boxes- syw,ecw,ancient ,Victorian s.f ,54mm H G Wells for FLW and many ,many more. The enthusiasm rises,money is spent,figures arrive and then are spirited away . It is hard to focus...
One advantage of the house being like this is I have no chance to paint/game in the foreseeable future and therefore am taking stock of what to do. I don't know about you but I am often too tired after work to do anything much.
On the reading front I am loving "Warrior of Rome " by Sidebottom - a cracking read and great fun - even if you hate ancients ( how could anyone ,I hear you cry) it will make you want to buy Romans!!!! Also reading about a north African philisopher/bishop/gentlemen/general called Synesius of Cyrene who also wrote some cracking poems and hymns- not to mention organising,raising and commanding troops against invaders/raiders. Well worth a google if you have time...
On the audio I am having great fun listening to Florence and the Machine and The Killers. On the visual front Babylon 5 is living up to my expectations and more- I am hooked once more!
Have a good weekend and if I can re set up the computer I will add more over the weekend.
p.s the Picture ( The Traveller ) is one of my favourites, I was using it for an art lesson this week and thought you might enjoy it...
Over the summer we have been planning our new kitchen. We hope to get one by a German compamy called Alno. Thereir motto appears to be "Der Unterschied liegt im Detail" which means "The difference is in the details."
On such a theme I have posted a photo I took at the 18th century house in Cockermouth. It's evocative detailing transported us to the past when we were there...
In the world of blogs/imaginations and tabletop armies it is the detail that makes all the difference. The touch in word or image which brings the country or army to life- little details which evoke another time or place ,which transport us ,albeit breifly,to another world.
I have loved these small things of Tradgardland (as well as those of others too) which have given me the most pleasure- thinking up a name,family traits,everyday life and so much more...
We are indebted to Phil Olley and many,many more who inspire us to add more vignettes to our armies - to have big fun in the Wee detail....
The first images from our recent holidays...
Two months ago I worked in the palace kitchen,three before that and I begged upon the street...
Uniform of a Swiss Jaeger from circa 1770.
The first basis for a Federal Contingent was established by the DEFENSIONALE of Wil and Baden. It fixed the number of men and artillery every ruling Canton ( 13 in total) had to provide. The first Cantonal military regulations date to 1755-1757 . In particular to an order of Nov 10th 1755 which concerned weapons,uniforms,annual reporting etc.
The Cantonal Regiment was formed of 2 battalions ( each of 4 companies of 100 men + staff) + 2 "banner companies" ( very old or very young men) + 1 artillery company. Men were enlisted for military service from 16 to 60 years unless dispensed with for health reasons.Every man had to supply his own uniform,weapon and equipment.
This morning I have begun work on some Canton Zug infantry and standard bearer. It is proceeding quite well so far subject to time and energy...
P.S those interested in the Swiss army of 1900 -1914 or so might enjoy my other blog - http://armyredwhite.blogspot.com/
Last summer I contemplated venturing forth into 18th century Switzerland on the blog. The feeling has never really departed...
I have posted an illustration by Gerry Embleton of 18th century Swiss from Canton Aargu. I was particularly taken by the "District Captain" who looks as if he has stepped out of landsknecht times.
A correspondent in Switzerland has scanned some 19th century and modern illustrations of 18th century canton troops ( I cannot post them here ,alas, as I only have hard copies now) which include flags. They are excellent and informative illustrations.
I have a notion for some Tradgarland units be hired or become otherwise involved in a Cantonal Civil war with some real and some imaginary units. We shall see what develops....
