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...
top of page
Search
Simon MacDowall
- Nov 17
- 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...
206 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Nov 8
- 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...
56 views0 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Nov 5
- 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...
46 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Oct 6
- 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...
38 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Aug 17
- 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...
305 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Aug 15
- 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...
42 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Aug 8
- 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...
54 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Jul 21
- 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....
88 views3 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jul 5
- 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...
60 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- Jun 10
- 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...
57 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- May 27
- 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...
111 views2 comments
Simon MacDowall
- May 19
- 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...
56 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
- May 8
- 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...
95 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Jan 15
- 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...
44 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Dec 21, 2022
- 1 min
New Life for Old Turks
Many years ago, with all the best intentions, I thought I would build a Seljuk army to oppose my Byzantines and to fight the actions of...
65 views3 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Dec 19, 2022
- 2 min
From Ancient to Medieval Greeks
I have shifted focus from the 4th C BC to the 11th C AD. This is down to a planned Siege of Antioch game (1st Crusade) in January and...
125 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Nov 16, 2022
- 2 min
Ragging Hoplite Shields
I have been having great fun playing around with different shield designs for my next unit of Greek Hoplites. Most are hand painted but I...
97 views3 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Nov 8, 2022
- 1 min
Men of Bronze
I have just finished painting my first Hoplite unit for Alala! and the Society of Ancients Mantinea Battle Day. These are Newline Designs...
85 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
- Oct 24, 2022
- 3 min
Theban hamippoi on the painting table
in preparation for the Society of Ancients Mantinea Battle Day, I have been painting up Greek cavalry and light troops to supplement Pete...
76 views3 comments
bottom of page