Mental Health... or a Hole in the Head?

As you may just recall l got this supplement for Hail Caesar from my daughter and her family as a gift last Christmas. I've also been buying figures as and when for this new venture. You may, like me, ponder on this decision as I turn 75 at the end of the month {DV}. Why embark on a new project then?  Surely GHQ holds more than enough to see me out? Why then? Well, it’s official as it turns out, wargaming is good for you, as we wargamers knew all along of course! Creative hobbies have the capacity to be as good for your mental health as having a job according to recent research! In fact carrying out creative activities can be even better for life satisfaction as working can be. Creativity had as great an influence on people’s wellbeing and happiness such as factors like age and health, a recently reported study found. Scientists from Anglia Ruskin University suggest that having access to affordable opportunities for creativity can be a major boost to mental health. Dr Helen Keyes, head of the school of psychology and sports science at ARU, said: “Crafting and other artistic activities showed a meaningful effect in predicting people’s sense that their life is worthwhile. Indeed, the impact of crafting was bigger than the impact of being in employment. Not only does crafting give us a sense of achievement, it is also a meaningful route to self-expression. This is not always the case with employment. {As I think many reading this would agree!} Engaging in these activities is linked with a greater sense that life is worthwhile, increased life satisfaction and happiness.”  So there we have it: wargaming, which involves historical research, creative modelling and crafting of buildings and terrain features, painting figures and ephemera, is good for you! {A message then that is bang on cue as this week is designated as Mental Health Awareness Week!}

Reading this I felt much happier about the fact that I had decided I would embark on yet another new project! Gone was the sense of guilt brought about by those blister packs of figures balefully staring at me from the old Lead Pimple, the uncomfortable but all too familiar feeling that I needed a new project about as much as a hole in the head! And all this just in time for Partizan in a few days! Indeed I even have a preorder to collect from Eureka Miniatures UK and a short list of Perry Miniatures to purchase from that show stalwart Dave Thomas, given better luck than I had at Hammerhead.

Over the past few days I have been taking refuge from the noise and mess concommitent with our current kitchen refurbishment by cleaning up and organising into units the Wars of the Roses figures I have accumulated to date. My initial target is two 350 point forces for Midgard. The figures to hand so far are from Eureka Miniatures, Perry Miniatures, Wargames Foundry, Steel Fist and Athena Miniatures. They won't see any spray undercoat of course until the kitchen work is completed as GHQ is functioning as a storeroom presently! Here are just a few as a taster from those I've done so far ~

There only remain the hybrid figures to make up from the Steel Fist bodies and the Perry Miniatures plaaaaastic arms, heads, wespons and bits! I may need some help with this stage, Phil... More metal figures then to process after Partizan of course. In the meantime I still have just a few of those ACW figures I mentioned to finish painting...

The 151st Pennsylvania Infantry - The Schoolteachers' Regiment

I have had these Dixon Miniatures ACW figures in the old Lead Pimple for well over two years at a guess. As a break from painting figures for my Late Roman and  1066 & All That collections I cleaned them up, replaced the flag poles with brass pikes cut to size and spray undercoated them so they could take their spot in the painting queue. I thought I would identify them as a Union unit from Pennsylvania,  mainly as I had some GMB Designs flags to hand. Looking around my bookshelf I lighted on a mention of the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry. Further checks revealed their choice as a no brainer! Why? Well, read on...

The 151st Pennsylvania Regiment, a nine month volunteer unit, was organized in September of 1862 and arrived at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg that October. Company D alone boasted over 60 schoolteachers and their considerable numbers would earn the regiment the post war sobriquet of 'The Teachers Regiment'. The regiment was commanded by Lt. Col. George McFarland. As a retired schoolmaster myself and as a nod to the memory of the late Duncan McFarlane - well, it's close- I could not possibly omit this regiment from my collection could I? So, waffling over, here they are parading for your interest and observations ~

I also have replacement Dixon Miniatures figures for the 42nd Pennsylvania Infantry, the Bucktails  which is currently enjoying its moment under the brush. More on them to share with you in due course.

Finally, I'll close with a tad of blatant self promotion.  The most recent copy of Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy focusing on Napoleon's early campaigns features numerous photos of my Wars of the French Revolution collection by way of illustrations for the articles. I must say I'm quite chuffed by how the pictures came out...

...as I hope you'll agree from this sample page if you don't see the magazine yourself...

Goth Champion

Just as I'd finished with my Dark Age Welsh for the 1066 & All That collection and my additions of three bands of Gothalikes to my Late Roman collections were fading into distant, hazy memory I received yet another unexpected and kind gift from Aly in the post. It was the free figure accompanying the Once & Future King supplement for Hail Caesar from Warlord Games. He's obviously a post-Roman Briton by dress and is labelled as Agravain, a knight of Arthur's fabled Round Table! Right up my street to be repurposed as a Gothalike champion then! While waiting for the paint/varnish/glue to harden on the last of the Welsh warriors I sploshed colours on him as and when I could and, almost magically, he was finished ~

He won't see any action here in GHQ as it is currently fulfilling the role of a storeroom for kitchen bits old and new while the second stage of refurbishment is completed by Geoff and his team from Bonds of Brewood - a highly recommended company if you are in my area. Meanwhile, more ACW figures are passing under the brush as and when the opportunity arises. More on them in due courseI am able to update you.

Lightly Armoured Welsh Warriors

I've finally completed the Footsore Welsh I added over last winter to my 1066 & All That collection, these last bases have felt like a chore rather than a pleasure at times. I've used the same drab based palette of colours to bind the whole force into a coherent look, or so I'd hope. The figures come in the main from the packs armed with swords, hand axes and Dane axes which I hoped would give a nod to the mixed quality of even the better off amongst the poor Welsh warriors. You will have to judge for yourselves if you think its worked ~

As I've mention in an earlier blog post I may yet add to this small Welsh force. I'd like to get one of the packs of slingers at least and perhaps some Light Cavalry. At present though available funds are earmarked for the Wars of the Roses project. More Eureka Miniatures figures are already ordered for collection at Partizan in a fortnight! I'd also hope to pick up some more Perry Miniatures from show stalwart Dave Thomas. Meanwhile its onward with some Dixon Miniatures ACW figures...as if I needed any more!

Gornalus in Campo Martis occurrit

Towards the end of last month Paul and I met up in GHQ for our {mostly} regular monthly game. This time a Late Roman battle between Gornalus and Pompus Minimaximus using Hail Caesar Mk2 as the rules was our choice. A brief blow by blow account here accompanies a selection of photos taken by Paul and yours truly in the format of occasional added notes. I hope you will all enjoy seeing the collection in action ~

The army of the rightful Emperor, Pompus Primus Minimaximus,  drawn up for the coming battle.

The  ragtag rabble of infantry serving the rebellious Gornalus Taphicus awaits it's destruction with ever diminishing enthusiasm.

A closer look at Pompus Minimaximus' leading Legion...

...and of that of the rabble raised by the rebel General, Gornalus Taphicus, leading from the safety of the rear!

Gornalus has massed his cavalry  on his left flank.

The Light Cavalry leading the way, supported by their heavier brethren.

Similarly Pompus Minimaximus has deployed his cavalry on his right.

The Goths in the pay of Gornalus are placed on his right flank.

They rush forward boldly but are halted unexpectedly by the advancing Legion whose long spears deter the Goth Light Infantry. 

The Goth warbands surge forward through the retiring Light Infantry but are soundly beaten by their Legionary opponents. Gornalus' right flank is in disarray!

In the centre the two divisions of Legionary heavy and medium troops close with each other. First blood here falls to Gornalus' men.

Buoyed by the victory of his Legion Gornalus Taphicus leads his remaining units in the centre forward to exploit the success.

The mass of infantry swirl back and forth as the battle engulfs first one then another unit in quick succession.

On Pompus' right his cavalry wing sweep forward screened by the light woods and burst out on Gornalus' static cavalry!

In haste Gornalus throws the Moors forward to halt the developing assault while hurrying to bring his heavier horse into action.

The heavies of both armies are soon engaged in fierce combat. No quarter is asked or given here!

Victory favours the horsemen of Pompus Minimaximus as they sweep those of Gornalus from the field.

Though not without some losses of their own to take the shine off their victory.

In the centre Gornalus has some encouragement  as one of Pompus' Auxilliay infantry units is destroyed...

...and a second Legion is driven from the field in disarray. 

But Pompus Minimaximus has ample men in reserve and Gornslus' brief sight of victory is snuffed out!

The victorious army's shouts of triumph resound across this Field of Mars!

Escorted by his Bucallarii Pompus Minimaximus rightfully receives the adulation of his troops! He is one step closer to wresting the Imperial Purple from the usurper Baldinus.

As ever in our experience Hail Caesar delivered a splendidly tense battle with fortunes ebbing and flowing across the battlefield until suddenly Paul found Gornalus' army Broken by mounting losses! If only his cavalry had enjoyed more dice fortune the outcome might have been so very different. If only...truly that cry is every wargamer's constant lament!

There will be a brief hiatus in activity across the tabletop battlefield here in GHQ over the next two weeks or so. Phil is away with his family for some well earned R&R and we are enjoying more kitchen refurbishment from Tuesday next. I do however hope to have things to share with you, so don't stray too far. Finally, if you see the new issue of WSS in the shops you might wish to buy a copy and enjoy seeing many photos of my Wars of the French Revolution collection illustrating a number of articles on Napoleon's early campaigns.

Rhyfelwr gyda chwrwgl

Title courtesy of Google Translate, 'Warrior with coracle' of course. As I have previously mentioned I had intended for him to grace the Welsh Command stand but it just looked too crowded to my eye, so here he is with his coracle and dragon pennant on his own base. I'll probably just put him down next to the Command stand in games, to look interesting if nothing else ~

The first base of partially armoured warriors are finished and ready for action on the tabletop battlefield, while the second base has four figures ready for varnishing and the final five in various states of base colours painting. When that second base is completed the Welsh contingent for my long running 1066 & All That project will be done! Next up then I plan to start some Dixon Miniatures ACW figures!

Dafydd mab Buddugwr

As the Footsore Welsh have been making their way over the painting desk relatively briskly of late I thought that I would enjoy a bit of a breather from working on units by painting three figures for the Division's command stand. They comprise the Welsh Leader, Standard Bearer and a spare from the Warriors with Dane axes. The standard is a reduced photocopy of one of my LBMS standards I used for my Late Romans back in the day.

I had originally intended to fix the Warrior with Coracle on the command stand, but it looked too crowded to my eye so I swapped him out for the Dane axe armed figure. Don't worry though, he will be along in due course! I'm also working on a first base of partially armoured Welsh Warriors armed with a mixture of spears, swords and axes.

The Fury of the Northmen!

Earlier in the week Phil and I met up in GHQ for our regular game. Almost at the last minute I elected to switch from the ECW to a 1066 & All That game ~ it's a long story that boils down to age! Philip de Rawnsley, Lord of the manor of Hednes' Ford led forth his men against the invading Northmen of Bicca Biccasson. Marching south Bicca gathered support from disaffected Saxon Earls, Thegns and Coerls. Reaching the outskirts of Staffa's Ford the ragtag army was confronted by de Rawnsley's Normans and Bretons. Both armies prepared for the coming battle ~

Philip de Rawnsley leading his loyal knights, from the rear it seems. Did Bicca see this as an open I wonder?

His Norman infantry held the centre screened by crossbow armed Light Troops. Bishop Ranulf can be seen blessing their efforts as they pass St Caliver's rough hewn church.

Earl Egfroth has mustered all the men he could, sensing a chance to give those Norman barstewards a bloody nose, not to mention the anticipated boots! He holds Bicca's right flank.

Bicca himself with his loyal Northmen holds the centre position. His men are ready for action after long days marching south.

On Bicca's left Earl Egberg has taken up position with his loyal herthguard and as many able-bodied men still on his estates. Bicca's army is poised ready to unleash a reign of brutal terror on these effette Normans.

Breton cavalry on de Rawnsley's right advanced smartly to support the infantry in the centre and threaten the flank of Bicca's thrust through that area of the battle line.

Norman heavy infantry make steady progress in the centre of the line of battle.

The Saxons on Bicca's right Blunder! Each unit takes a casualty and the whole Division falls back! Not the best of omens Bicca feared.

Worse was to come as the skirmishers emerging from the woodland come under fire failing their Morale test and Break!

On Bicca's left the Breton infantry, supported by their knights, hurl themselves against the Coerls catching the skirmishing light infantry napping!

Amazingly the Coerls throw back the infantry and the supporting knights break. Perhaps the Old Gods are will him after all Bicca muses...

The Breton right is thrown back in disarray. Bicca's small mounted unit gallops forward to see them off decisively! There is still no sighting of de Rawnsley's knights who are held back on his left.

The Bretons are Broken and the Norman centre is pushed back in confusion. At last the Norman cavalry is moving forward. The Saxon Hirdmen steady themselves forvthe coming shock, their Dane axes glinting ominously in the sunlight.

Bicca's Viking Hirdmen make short work of more of de Rawnsley's Norman infantry!

It's not all going Bicca's way though as weakened by losses in brutal fighting the Saxon Hirdmen are Broken! Is the tide of battle turning against him worries Bicca?

They may have been defeated. But their sacrifice was not in vane. De Rawnsley senses that God is not with his army and his cause today. His knights have failed to turn the tables on Bicca's right despite earlier successes for the Norman infantry.

His centre Breaks under mounting losses and with it his army is Broken too. The victory belongs to Bicca's host! All played out in nine Turns using Hail Caesar, though not without some rules checking from time to time! Even then I'm confident we still got the odd thing muddled! It's an age thing, as I said at the outset...