Forward back to the past
Second Mantinea (362 BC) will be the next battle featured at the 2023 Society of Ancients Battle Day. This has provided me with my next...
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Simon MacDowall
- Sep 4
- 3 min
The Battle for Rocroi
It has been 5 years in the making but finally I had painted up all the troops I needed to refight the battle of Rocroi (1643) between the...
298 views2 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Aug 12
- 2 min
The Last Recruits for Rocroi
After a painting pause I have completed all the foot regiments I need to re-fight Rocroi (1643). We will run the game 1 September and I...
54 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Aug 11
- 1 min
New Scenarios
I have been adding various game scenarios to that section of my website. The latest is Pydna -- the classic clash between Roman Legions...
46 views0 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jul 27
- 2 min
Late Roman costume from the mosaics
A Sicilian highlight for anyone with an interest in the later Roman period is the incredible mosaics at Piazza Armerina. These 4th C AD...
329 views5 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jul 26
- 1 min
A Sicilian Interlude
I have been absent from both the Wargames and Painting tables for some time due to a variety of factors, one of which was a holiday in...
44 views0 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jun 10
- 3 min
Life and Death on the Shore of Lake George
The skirmishes of the French and Indian War have long held a fascination for me. The Last of the Mohicans was one of my favourite books...
68 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jun 6
- 1 min
Cuirassiers with Blackened Armour
I am quite pleased with the way these 17th Century Alsatian cuirassiers have turned out — their blackened armour set off with a limited...
59 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jun 2
- 2 min
Flags for Rocroi
The wonderful little museum at Rocroi has some interesting illustrations of flags carried by the combatants at the 1643 battle. As I am...
185 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- May 29
- 1 min
Cromwell helps the French
The latest scenario uploaded to my website is a prelude to the Battle of the Dunes. Set in 1657 it involves an uneasy alliance between...
64 views2 comments
Simon MacDowall
- May 18
- 1 min
Investigating Rocroi
Preparations for staging the Battle of Rocroi continue despite the fact that I am away from the painting table for a few days in northern...
85 views2 comments
Simon MacDowall
- May 15
- 1 min
The Vandals, now in paperback
I am delighted that my first book in the Conquerors of Rome series — The Vandals, has been reprinted in paperback by Pen & Sword Books. I...
267 views0 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Apr 24
- 2 min
The King Makes a Stand at Newbury
It is 27 October 1644 and the fate of England hangs in the balance. Having relived Donnington Castle, King Charles I stands his ground at...
162 views3 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Apr 23
- 1 min
Reinforcements for Rocroi
Italians, Burgundians and Germans fresh off the painting table, ready to join the Spanish Army at Rocroi (1643). The Italians (left) and...
113 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Apr 13
- 1 min
New Game Scenarios
I have been gradually repopulating the wargames scenarios available to download from my website. The latest to be added is Freeman's...
69 views0 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Apr 11
- 3 min
The Other Northwest Frontier
In May 1885 the inhabitants of the Canadian Northwest Territories — Metis (descendants of French and Scottish fur traders intermarried...
118 views2 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Apr 5
- 1 min
On the painting table
My Italians in the Spanish army of the 1640s are progressing well. The figures are a mix of 1898 Miniatures, Perry, Avanpost and Warlord...
38 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Mar 24
- 1 min
Forward to the 17th Century
I have slowly been building up my French and Spanish armies with the intent of re-fighting Rocroi (1643) — the time of the Three...
63 views3 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Mar 23
- 2 min
Adrianople Battle Day
A fantastic day with the Society of Ancients at Newbury re-fighting Adrianople. Many thanks to Richard Lockwood for organising. Our...
332 views5 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Mar 17
- 1 min
Goths ready for battle
This recently painted 28mm unit represents 5th century Goths. I have used a mix of figures, mostly from late Roman, Saxon and...
70 views0 comments