I blame John Preece...

Well actually I don't ,in fact I am indebted to him for helping me recall ideas that have been at the back of my  mind for years! They are in a dusty portable writing case ,sorry my mind,where old plans lie about and hope to be recalled.This all  happened as a result of comments upon my recent picture of part of my bookcase.So Saturday morning early has seen me scurrying off to my copies of Lawson and Childs.So thanks John,at the very least I will dust off the old plans ,add to them and file them away.Or perhaps something more.We shall see.
Addendum -John, how do I contact Old John re buying a sample of his 1670s 20mm chaps?

To the North yet again

Ulfheonar having not been hired by Ogmund Half -Troll have sulked and moaned their way (kicking aside any stray hound that got in their way not to mention youths) across the valley to the Hall of the chieftain Elk-Bjorn. They offered their services as bodyguards.Elk-Bjorn has taken them willingly into his service ...
Olaf Lynx (Elk-Bjorn's loyal standardbearer and friend) is less sure of the newcomers but the forthcoming raid upon Ogmund Half-Troll's village will be an opportunity for them to prove their worth...

The forthcoming battle will be fought with Tidders splendid (Old School at their very best) rules to be found here-
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/allan.tidders/Wargames/sax-vik-rulesv4.pdf

Eat your heart out Saga I say!!!

Help with blogger!!!!

How do I get the reply thingie under each comment so I can reply to them individually?Thanks in anticipation...

A later start...

Today I am not at school or in class as I am off to a day conference in Edinburgh to be held at Murrayfield Stadium.I hope it will be interesting and inspiring and filled with ideas to take back to the classroom on a variety of subjects.Therefore I have a little more time to drink coffee,read your latest blog posts and browse books- hence my picture of a small part of my library posted above.
I will also give some thought, as I travel on the train and walk afterwards from Haymarket to the stadium, to the opponents to my medieval Tradgardlanders.
Already an army has begun to take shape (partly in my mind and also in the amassing of lead new and dug out from the shed) in terms of a pretender to the Ducal throne leading an army of outlandish mercenaries and renegade Tradgardland knights marching on the capital...
Time to think today as well as a newly arrived copy "Orthodoxy" by G K Chesterton to browse,not to mention it was light as I woke up.Have a good day whatever you are doing and thanks for your company daily in Blogdom!

Positively Medieval!

Bee in the bonnet time- I hate when people use the word "Medieval" in a pejorative sense.It seems to be everywhere these days and the useage sooo misses the mark.Rant over ,but don't you agree?
Anyway I was delighted with my birthday gifts including this magnificent book of photos of medieval reenactors-

 Published by Karwansaray it is beautifully bound and a joy to read and hold.
This week I have continued to paint up Medievals for Oldhammer games.The Tradgardlanders are almost complete-

The smallish force works out as follows-
1 unit of 12 Golden herring Knights on foot
2 units of 12 bow armed men at arms
1 unit of 8 crossbow armed men at arms
1 unit of 2HW armed men at arms
1 minor hero with bow- winner of the Ducal archery contest five years in a row
1 major hero with 2HW in plate armour- The Duke's Champion - winner of the annual tournament

Now to ask for your help-

Do you think I should add static grass to the bases or leave them simple with just the green paint showing.Please leave your thoughts as comments below or vote on the poll ,thanks!

53 not out and the Knights of the Golden Herring

Followers of the Duchy of Tradgardland may remember this post from June 2007 regarding the foundation legend of the Duchy-
http://tradgardland.blogspot.co.uk/2007/06/legend-of-golden-herring.html

Legend tells that one of the aforementioned mystical Herrings was preserved and kept for posterity in specially made reliquary. It was entrusted to a noble family within Tradgardland to be the Heredity Keepers of the Herring. Here is Axel von Tradgardstadtwald the keeper in the late 15th Century-

He is seen carrying the Reliquary under his right arm,his hand upon the hilt of his sword showing his willingness to protect this sacred item even unto death...
But who are these men in the background?

They are the Golden Herring Knights ,the chief order of chivalry in the Duchy. Sworn to protecting the Duchy ,the Duke and the Golden Herring, they are men of honour and great courage. Always fighting on foot as a symbol of their humility ( as well as having sold their horses upon entering the Order to give money for the benevolence of all fishermen) they are always in the forefront of all battles.Even in the late 15th early 16th century they retain the traditional antiquated armour from the Order's arsenal.

Today is my 53rd birthday and I am home after a busy day at work awaiting a splendid meal and presents . A fortunate chap indeed!

Figures are old Citadel medievals painted up for some forthcoming Oldhammer type action.Mores units to show you soon...

To the North....again

Accompanied by his faithful ape Loki ( purchased upon a trading expedition to the East many years ago and vicious in battle)
Ogmund Half-Troll watches as potential bodyguards go through their paces trying to impress. Berserkers and Ulfheonar are not quite Ogmund's horn of ale but one needs protection.The most impressive will be employed and the others sent on their way...

40mm Figures by Saber&Sash,Ape by Tiger and bases by Warbases ( who provide a splendid array of products and service also)