Norse cruise line promises exciting excursions in England
Potential passengers are already signing up in Norway and Denmark for a cruise organised by Olaf Tryggvason which will set sail next...
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Simon MacDowall
- Jul 11
- 1 min
"These perils frightened our soldiers."
The quote forming the titile is from Julius Caesar describing the effect British chariots had on his men. In preparation for a game of...
38 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- May 11
- 1 min
More Blue Painted Brits
Ancient British cavalry ride out to drive the Romans back into the sea.
38 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Apr 22
- 2 min
Putting the Frighteners on the Romans
Blue painted Ancient Britons strike fear amongst the Romans.
195 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Mar 20
- 1 min
Men and horses in glistening armour
After the Society of Ancients Ilipa Battle Day (this coming weekend) I rather fancy pitting my 6 mil Romans up against the Seleucids....
179 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Dec 1, 2023
- 2 min
Small Recruits for Carthage
I have now completed the four units of 6mm Spanish scutarii I need for my Carthaginian army. Recruited for the Society of Ancients Ilipa...
86 views6 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Nov 17, 2023
- 2 min
Downsizing
Over the past few years I have been playing with the big kids. Now I am revisiting my 6 mil ancients. My motivation is the Society of...
339 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Nov 8, 2023
- 1 min
The Last Yorkists
Stoke Field (1487) was the last attempt by the Yorkists to regain the throne of England. These figures are also the last Yorkists I...
83 views0 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Nov 5, 2023
- 1 min
The Wild Irish
Next Sunday I shall be staging the last battle of the Wars of the Roses — Stoke Field (1487). Around 4000 Irish, led by Sir Thomas...
88 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Oct 6, 2023
- 1 min
New Wars of the Roses Command Groups
When I first began to paint my Wars of the Roses armies I decided to focus on those contingents taking part in the Battle of Barnet...
65 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Aug 17, 2023
- 3 min
Arming the Knights
Painting 15th Century men at arms could be incredibly simple since most were encased from head to foot in armour. A black wash over...
381 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Aug 15, 2023
- 1 min
Lancastrian Archers
Working through my orders of battle for Barnet (1471) I realised that I needed a few more Lancastrian archers. As I had plenty of spares...
49 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Aug 8, 2023
- 1 min
Raising the Shires for King Edward
Originally a Lancastrian, Sir William Norreys changed his allegiance to King Edward IV after the Battle of Towton. Sir William commanded...
68 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Jul 21, 2023
- 1 min
Seljuk Ghulams
The latest off my painting table is this unit of Seljuk Ghulams — the professional ‘slave soldiers’ of Alp Arslan’s army at Manzikert....
114 views3 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jul 5, 2023
- 1 min
Alp Arslan Considers
Faced with a far more numerous enemy at Manzikert, Sultan Muhammad Ibn Dawud Çağrı, known as Alp Arslan, considers his options. Alp...
66 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Jun 10, 2023
- 1 min
Stong as a Lion
Muhammad Ibn Dawud Çağrı, know as ‘Alp Arslan’ (strong as a lion), led the Seljuk Turks to victory over the East Romans at Manzikert in...
59 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- May 27, 2023
- 1 min
Ready to Battle the Turks
My 11th C Armenians are now ready to join the East Roman Emperor's expedition against the Seljuk Turks. The figures are all from Perry...
119 views2 comments
Simon MacDowall
- May 19, 2023
- 1 min
Armenians for Manzikert
Next up on the painting table is a unit of 11th C Armenians for my Byzantine army. The Armenian Theme was unwisely abandoned by Emperor...
85 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- May 8, 2023
- 2 min
When is a Peltast not a Peltast?
Many, many, years ago when the world was young, 28mm had not yet been invented, and wargames shops still existed. Back then, browsing...
111 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jan 15, 2023
- 1 min
More Turks
Fresh off the painting table is another unit of Seljuk Turks as allies or enemies for my 10th-11th C Byzantine army. The figures are a...
50 views4 comments
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