Tradgardland by Gaslight...

It is very rainy here today and so I have continued with the first Gaslight unit and my first Major Hero(depicted here) who is Baron Von Bergman. His ancestor has appeared in my 18th Century Blog entry and is currently (in the past that is) engaged in a Jacobite Rebellion and susequent recovery from wounds sustained there.
The 19th century Von Bergman is President of the Ducal Society -a group of gentlemen who are at the cutting edge of scientific endeavour and progress. He wears his uniform of Colonel in chief of th Ducal Hussar regiment and is armed with a percussion pistol (replete with telescopic sight) of his own design and fabrication.

I also enclose a photo of the garden a few weeks ago for those interested in such matters. Courgettes are about to be able to be eaten and the peas and beans are not too far off. Whatever you are doing have a good weekend!

Brief updates

The Eureka Tyroleans,sorry Tradgardlanders, arrived yesterday. They are beautiful figures and will look fine on the table. I have undercoated them and begun to paint...
Gaslight is in the post and I await their arrival with mounting excitement. Hopefully the new movement trays (to aid 18th century ) will come soon and I will re organise those chaps. My daughters are going to build me some 2D hills and a waterfall ( sorry Fitzbadger but I could not resist- a case of the sincerest form of flattery!) with river attached over the coming weeks so I can't wait...
On a totally different matter may I recommend "Medical Mavericks " on BBC4 with it's fascinating history of medical self experimenters. Well worth a look. The presenter did a series on surgery some time ago which was also great.

Tradgardland- 18th & 19th Centuries- an update

I have been busy over the weekend with the Duchy

For the 18th century I have been reorganising into smaller units using movement trays with figures on GW bases inserted-casulties will be removed when needed. This is to facilitate a major new storyline in the Duchy coming soon which will be resolved upon the tabletop in a series of linked games.

For the 19th century I have decided to use gaslight for some quasi skirmish games involving hussars in the forest.The rules have been sent for and figures too. I await their arrival and will keep you posted. Thanks to all for your interest ,advice and ideas... I may even be trying "spin off " for Blasthof Bridge with Shiny Tin Soldiers for 1866 using Charge. But we will see what develops.

Maps- part the first...

A couple of maps pertaining to the Duchy of Tradgardland in the middle of the 19th century. Firstly from a German historical atlas showing the political boundaries of the time and secondly a map show the extent of the railways in Germany and the year that the railway came to Tradgardland.

Some mid 19th century background thoughts..

I fear it is time,having looked at rules and purchased some figures,
to look at some background . I have posted a map of
Europe in 1866- a year of great turmoil.
Only back in 1848 the Duchy of Tradgardland had it's ducal Palace burned as part of the "year of revolutions...
Now, in 1866, the Duchy and it's near neighbour ( yet to be given a name) have to decide which side to support . Will they opt for the mighty Prussia or side with the German Confederation- perhaps neutrality beckons as another option. It is with such a situation my 19th century gaming will commence.
Many thanks to all of you for your interest and helpful comments. Once more your views upon the background I propose would be appreciated. Even suggestions for the yet unamed imagination would be great!

Stop Press: I have just bought some Eureka Tyrolean inf as Tradgardland militia... I could not resist their charm and beautiful sculpting- they will indeed be a unit to be reckoned with I feel

Still blaming Steve Gill- not! Now Rules...

This project is moving forward. Today I have been thinking about rules.
I like the set up of the Soweiter League - small units and simple rules
and a visually attractive and stimulating style.
I am also considering Charge - the orginal format and also the small unit version by Stuart Asquith. I am still uncertain about the suitability of the rules for mid 19th Century use. I have consulted the Victorian charge rules additions on OSW already.
Have any of you used the rules for this period or know of amendments? Or have you any other rules suggestions to make- as ever your view are sought here in Tradgardland. Finally just to let you know I have ordered some Helion Hussars already...
Today I hope to devote some time to geography and maps.
P.S I hope you enjoy this photo- it says so much about the attractions of this period with regard to imaginations

I blame Steve Gill , old boy...

Yes you did read this correctly. Well actually I don't really blame him and hereby apologise for seeming to be rude to Mr Gill.

Let me explain. I have been re reading my back issues of "Battle games" magazine of late . I am tired at the end of term and have enjoyed this stimulating yet not over taxing reading material. I have enjoyed myriad articles but one review has stuck in my head- one by Steve Gill of 1866 period Austrian hussars. In it he talks of the idea of 19th Century imaginations. This has gone round and round in my head of late. Yesterday I scribbled thoughts onto my Dodo pad on the train and was heartened/hooked /distracted (depending on one's point of view) by the ideas that flowed. I am still undecided but need a new project in a new period to get over a certain modelling jadedness. Besides the Helion figures are amazing...

Yet,dear reader, I await your comments. Thank you Steve Gill for sowing the idea in my mind of a little corner of Europe, an extra curve in the Rhine still unmapped and a place of forests,castles and the joys of efficent rail travel!