The League of Augsburg
MIA? Ma - ma!
I may have appeared missing in action over the last few days... not so. I have been using every spare hour to set up, play and photograph small games for a series of pdfs I hope to release within the next 3-4 weeks. This has already involved nine x 90 minute games since Sunday last, with each of them having to be written up as a scenario, photographed and AAR completed. All are based on research I...
Marlborough's amphibious campaign 1690 - pdf release
It is with delight and some pride that we release our latest pdf detailing the campaigns in Ireland between 1688 and 1691.
 |
| Charles Fort, Kinsale - scene of a bloody siege, sallies and assaults |
This one deals with the ambitious and extremely successful amphibious campaign undertaken by the Earl of Marlborough against Cork and Kinsale in the autumn of 1690. Involving thousands of troops fresh from...
Campaign report: Run for home, Mull October 8th 1689
The third report from round two of the campaign.. Jan Baert kidnaps a very important person dear to King William and burns some Scottish assets in the process. Taking on no less than twelve enemy ships he runs for home!
Turns 1-4
 |
| Baert's ships approach the island chain. |
The fresh westerly winds created heavy seas and made sailing extremely challenging for Baert’s four ships as they nosed northward.
 |
| Th... |
10 Reasons why this is my favourite wargaming period
 |
| Neerwinden/Landen 1693 |
I have been gaming the period 1666-1720 for thirty years this year. Despite forays into other periods of which I am fond, I always return to my favourite. Recently, I have agreed to write a title for Helion about wargaming the period 1666-1697 specifically and that has made me reflect on why I maintain an enduring fascination for this 60 year span of history.
So, here are my...
Naval campaign part 2 preview
 |
| A nice day out at Ardnamurchan.... maybe not for some of these ships |
With a little help from my friends.....
Dave and Colin came over last week to keep the campaign going. We played three cracking games with me going to pick up the fourth and fifth when I get a chance.
 |
| Make ready your guns! Tocht challenges Rochefoucauld at Duinkirk 1672 |
Scenario number 1 entitled 'King Louis's ships'takes place off...
It's Saturday, I'll build a castle
I have several new scenarios coming up for the 17th century naval campaign. I needed something that resembled a Scottish castle. I thought - just a tower. Then, what about a tower on a rocky outcrop? Then that morphed into... maybe I could expand it to look like the stronghold of a clan chief with outbuildings etc.. yeah...
Now, how was I going to do that. Well, two cups of coffee, various rummages...
I found it in a box....
I obviously bought this for my 28mm projects about the time I was making merchant ships and pinnaces however it was long overlooked in a box, buried under other non started projects. During a recent wargaming colonic irrigation I cleared out much accumulated clutter. Purchases which never got off the stocks or even out of the bubble wrap.
I came across this. I remember buying it at Claymore two or...
BLB Head to Head #1: Gardes Francaises v Garden til Fods
 |
| The epitome of a XVII Guard unit for Beneath the Lily Banners |
I thought it might be an idea to explain some of the BLB mechanisms by directly comparing opposing troops types in a gaming context both from a shooting and close combat perspective and adding a little detail on the units involved for those interested in collecting or building a particular formation.
Where better to start than with two...
Terrain and something out of nothing
 |
| A rough mock up of a North African harbour. Stuff just placed on for effect nuthin' fancy. |
There is nothing more boring than a plain blue cloth for naval gaming. As many Age of Sail fights took place very close to shore, I wanted to model terrain for coasts from Ireland to the Tropics.
I have made a fair old stab at it over the last week and by accident discovered a very useful purpose for what...
Whiskey in the Jar-oh! Part 6: Characters and stuff
 |
| Hogan? |
Hogan’s role in this scenario is as a scout and not a fighter. He provides the Jacobite player with some extra options which emphasize his local knowledge and cunning.
· Hogan and the Shannon: Hogan can change the position of the ford! When he writes down the designated crossing point at the start of the game...
Naval Campaign game 3: Baert's Baptism!
March 19, 1689
Scenario name: Schomberg's reinforcements
Baert has word of a troop convoy bound for either Hoylake or Belfast. It is carrying English and Dutch soldiers to Ireland to fight King Louis's cousin James II. His ships left Dunkirk three days ago and are approaching the convoy from the north and windward. He is ordered to sink or capture as many of the transports as possible. The convoy is...
Scenario name: Schomberg's reinforcements
Baert has word of a troop convoy bound for either Hoylake or Belfast. It is carrying English and Dutch soldiers to Ireland to fight King Louis's cousin James II. His ships left Dunkirk three days ago and are approaching the convoy from the north and windward. He is ordered to sink or capture as many of the transports as possible. The convoy is...
Naval campaign missions - the first five
Here are the first five missions for the chosen fleets in overview. One has already been fought, I have written orders from another and await the instructions of the remaiing Generals at Sea.
In no particular order:
De Ruyter - September 1664 off the Gold Coast/Ghana
Scenario name: Free trade?
In no particular order:
De Ruyter - September 1664 off the Gold Coast/Ghana
Scenario name: Free trade?
The Dutch East India Company (VOC) has been building trade via Gold Coast ports for several years. The...