Society of Ancients Convention 2026

Another Society of Ancients Convention has come and gone. Having attended almost all of them I think this was perhaps the best ever. We had a record number of attendees and an excellent venue with lots of space, good service and excellent food. As ever, the atmosphere was congenial with plenty of opportunities to chat with old friends and to meet new ones.

I officially launched the new edition of my Comitatus rules at the convention. Introducing them with a refight of the Battle of Daras between Persians and East Romans (AD 530).

When the outnumbered Roman centre engaged the Persian line it looked for a moment as if the Persians would break through. Just enough of the Romans held the line until Belisarius’s reserve and Pharas’ flank attack turned the tide.

Ernie Fosker also ran a Comitatus game in which Arthur’s Romano-Britsh attempted to cross the River Glein to drive off Aesc’s Saxons.

For a while the Saxons were in the ascendancy but in a furious fight at the ford Aesc was killed and the morale of his men wavered. Arthur’s cavalry charged into the Saxon flank hoping to break their line but then he too was hit in the flank and had to withdraw.

One game that particularly impressed me was Richard Lockwood’s experimental ‘story game’. The Romans are pushing into Britain after their initial invasion and find a river defended by British warriors. Players operated units on both sides and strived to achieve secret objectives while at the same time building the ‘story’ of what happened.The opportunity to observe or take part in innovative games such as this is a great highlight.

Richard Speedman introduced his Adventures in Rendlesham Forest game which is a light hearted take on Robin Hood’s adventures transposed to our home turf of Suffolk.

A wagon loaded with tribute and taxes is making its way through Rendlesham forest to deliver them to the Sheriff of Suffolk at Orford castle.

They are ambushed by outlaws who manage to take out the escorts and fend off a counter attack from the Sheriff’s men.

Micheal Lane once again brought his beautiful ships to the convention to re-fight Salamis.

There was also an opportunity to re-fight Hastings along with many other games.

Beyond the games, talks and discussion on subjects ranging from the Punic Wars, through to Achaemenid Persians, the Battle of Bannockburn and the Anglo-Hanseatic war gave much added value to the Convention.

I was delighted that the copies of Comitatus and the Army Lists that I brought with me all sold out. They are still both available to purchase from my website.