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