Invasion!

 It is three days since the French army landed in England. After initial delays and setbacks the French now appear to have the upper hand. A small group of British troops attempt to stop the French advance here at Hooks Lane Farm…

The view from Hooks Lane Farm and the British position.

Senior officers convey the importance of making a stand here.

Lining the hedges the British wait for the enemy to advance.

They are in the trees , they are coming!

View from the French position near Hooks Lane Farm and from within the woods.

A swift flies by and briefly sees what is going on below…

The farmhouse and barn are heavily defended.

I was encouraged to finally get a game on my table by this post-

https://gameofmonth.blogspot.com/2025/07/welcome-to-faraway-may-i-see-your.html#comment-form

Ross captures the toy soldier battle vibe so well. So yesterday l cleared the table and set up the game it will be played over the coming days maybe with these rules maybe not-

I noticed l had a number of these empty boxes-

They are what I use to make my toy soldier buildings and are what the house and barn above are made from. So perhaps some scenery making/painting in the coming week. The forecast is good and it is an ideal job for doing alfresco…

Game

 This is one of my father’s game from his youth. I played it against him when l was a boy but remember nothing of it. Does anyone recognise it? 

I will probably try it solo over the coming weeks…

Trying

 I am trying to finish the 1470s German project but with little success. I have rewatched these videos to enthuse me.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B_9BIwyJwuI

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cnfNRaZRQLE&pp=ygUOI2ZlbGRsYWdlcjIwMjPSBwkJ_ACjtWo3m0M%3D

It is working , reminding me why l love this period and place so much but also distracts me into trying to source civilians , tents and camp items too. I will get there ! I will!

Anyway enjoy the videos.

Out ( and in) on the weekend

 A busy week here in the Duchy on many fronts has ended with a Wargame on Friday and Glastonbury on tv yesterday.

In my youth my figures were carried on public transport in tool boxes whereas now they are in box files in the only carrier that is big enough. Friday saw me taking my French Ordonnance army to take on a Wars of the Roses one.

The French advance with the impetuous Feudal Knight forging a way through on the right flank and the Ordonnance archers supporting. At the back is my on table persona - Le Comte de Jaune Doux ( Bd Superior) sub general of the army ( c in c is the French King surrounded by his archer bodyguards) who is  just mad about saffron.

French artillery fires from the hill at the advancing English…

French Ordonnance knights advancing to death or glory.

A crow’s eye view of the battlefield.

A melee develops between French bowmen an their English opponents.

The game ended with my command losing a high number of casualties and retreating/routing off the table.

As ever I like to watch quite a bit of Glastonbury on the telly. This l have been doing for years now either in the company of the family or quietly on my own. Yesterday l was taken by the nostalgia of Pulp, the exuberance of Raye and the wonderful guitar playing of Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts.

New additions to my library this week . One was a pre order and the other a charity shop find.

A charming book with lovely photos, drawings and Punch Cartoons. It has led me to start painting an AA section for my VBCW forces…

Charge game photos

 Last week I had tremendous fun using the Charge rules in a game . It was another in that long running dispute between myself The Duke of Tradgardland and The Duke of Albion aka Ronnie. Since our last game I had rebased the army from six figures on a 60mm square base to six on a 40mm. I prefer the look of shoulder to shoulder. The old mdf , felt covered bases had made way for clear plastic, enabling the army to fight on any terrain or in any season. The Duke of Albion fielded regular units as well as the wild tribesmen of North Albion with their swords, shields and traditional dress. Here are the photos-

The troops arrive and find their places on the table. The Duke of Albion looks on mustering his men.

The Tradgardland forces ready for the fray…

Albion army arrayed across the battlefield.

The Duchy of Tradgardland advance determined to take the built up area.

With vivandieres and officers, the Tradgardland infantry advance…

Albion contends the cover.

Confronting each other across the hard cover…

The Austrians about to come into a fire fight with Albion troops.

Norwegian jaeger flee the field.

Fire at will!

The reality of fire power in Charge- decimation and destruction.

Albion continues to advance.

Bringing up the Albion guns.

Destruction reigns and Tradgardland troops retire off the table in middling order.

The Duke of Tradgardland and his aide watch from the safety of a cottage garden…

J

The Tradgardland left wing and centre begins to crumble.

Even the Duke cannot stop his routing men as they flee past him on the road…

Back lads ! They may not be using Scottish Blue Bell but they frighten me!

Massed Albion troops control the cover.

The Duke of Tradgardland, faithful greyhound and aide follow their broken army, victory to Albion this time.

Another day will come , probably using the rules from The WarGame by Grant. Thanks to Ronnie for transport,hospitality and a great fun game played in a true old school gentlemanly spirit, even if we were lacking ties.