The Parcel...

It was really cold last night- to say the least. However I am up,have good coffee to hand and will tell you now of my parcel....

My daughters spotted the postman trudging through the snow and I colected my parcel from him at a freezing front door...

It was indeed a parcel from Lutelande- a whole "Charge" regiment designed and cast for me by John. The figures are fantastic and will be used to raise the regiment refered to in last Sundays post. It will introduce a new character to the battlefield also . I will see if I can get some undercoating done today...

Wednesday

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.
Afterwards the girls spent much time outdoors enjoying the snow and made this super snowman.
All in all a good day. Later in the afternoon the postman arrived with a parcel from Lutelande. What more could one ask...

Updates

This Christmas I thought I would 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.

I am now on my hols- huzzah! School broke up yesterday with a lovely Carol service in church followed by an atmospheric train ride home thru the snow.
I have much planned hobbywise. Terry Gore medieval rules are coming after Christmas having been got by a friend for me at a good price- these will be used for 15th Century games especially. Some parthians arrived yesterday for a small force for Basic Impetus at my local club. I hope to start work on the 1938 vBCW militias I am slowly building and preparing.
Not to mention the parcel coming from America...
Have a great day one and all!More stamps tomorrow.

Rose

Today in the Duchy of 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...
He thoughts turned to Rose -that traditional colour of the Duchy
and it's servants.His mind strayed to the new regiment being raised from amongst the Lutelanders for Tradgardland and its young colonel Paul of Stollen...
After Mass the court Chaplin inquired when Col John Liam Panettone ( a famous Irish- Italian soldier of fortune) would arrive to drill the newly raised troops and put them through their paces.As Paul of Stollen is but a babe in arms Panettone will assume command. The Duke was unsure of exactly when he arrived but made discrete enquires as to his whereabouts....
I am looking forward to receiving a extremely exciting parcel from the States very soon with some new figures to start upon over Christmas. More details soon!

Surprise...

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...

A happy St Nicholas (6th Dec) to one and all from the Duke of Tradgardland and his Household!

1938...

I am in the midst of a new kitchen being delivered and an ongoing sore ankle but I wanted to share my background for a VBCW with you all...
Midsummer 1938 saw things come to a head in East Fife.Growing concern over the increasingly Communist nature of Fife coupled with a desire to support a "Godly King" in the face of Republicanism had the local area aflame with rumours . Finally( in great secrecy) a meeting was arranged in the university town of St Andrews.Around the table sat a disperate group of men representing the interests of many- Established Presbyterianism,Anglican League influenced Episopalianism,the University authorities,the town council ,local lairds ,tenant farmers,the Royal and Ancient golf Club and members of the fishing community.Promises of support from beyond the sea were laid upon the table also. The debate lasted long into the night and latterly they were joined by the commander of the local airbase at Leucars. The following morning saw the start of what became known as The League of St Andrew. Four days later ,within the ruins of the medieval cathedral, a vast crowd gathered to hear oratory and see flags unfurled...A message of Independence,under God, was sent to the Goverment in Edinburgh and patrols established over the coming weeks in the surrounding fields ,sea and sky. What would be Edinburgh's response. The coming months ,as summer drew on to autumn would see many changes,joys and sorrows...
Do let me know what you think of it!

GOOD NEWS...

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...
his memories of the battle are hazy- the routing of the Tradgarland dragoons on the left flank and the pursuit of them by Imperial hussars and curaissers,the taking of the barricades by Tradgardland infantry, the valiant Archbishop's jaeger on the right flank and the bloody fire-fight in the centre...
Whilst, in the midst of his thoughts, the Duke is interrupted by a messenger. The Duke opens the letter and a smile crosses his face for the first time in days-there is a newly born heir in the Duchy of Stollen!! The Duke leaps from the bed,calling for his Chamberlin and Secretary and dictates a decree that the bells of the Duchy be rung after mass on All Saints Day to celebrate the birth of the heir to the Duchy of Stollen...