The Battle of Oxley Moor

After a bit of an hiatus on the gaming front during October Phil and I finally got down to tabletop battlefield action here in GHQ earlier this week. A second run out for my small Wars of the Roses collection using Hail Ceasar Mk2. Once again I took command of the Lancastrians, leaving Phil to lead the Yorkists into battle seeking a second win into the bargain. As is usual, here is an annotated photomontage carrying you down into the action ~

The Yorkists have the initiative thanks to Phil's superior dice roll! They advance with determination all along their battle lines.

Still smarting from their defeat in the first encounter elements of the Lancastrian host were reluctant to advance! 

Storms of arrows unleashed by both sides have little effect, perhaps falling short of the intended targets? Both sides are closing in ready for the mayhem of close combat.

Elements of Warwick's retinue surge forward to close with Wenlock's men. The remaining troops find the going much harder and lag behind.

Wenlock's retinue steadies itself ready for the upcoming clash of steel. Meanwhile Buckingham's mounted MAA have appeared on Warwick's  flank threatening the supporting retinue.

To counter the threat Warwick sends forward his own mounted MAA hoping to shield his supporting retinue in their attack.

While the infantry of both factions seem reluctant to get to close quarters,  the mounted MAA show no such hesitation, thundering into each other in a determined charge and counter!

Buckingham's MAA push back Warwick's charge, surging forward with steely determination. The Yorkist Vanward sees its attack faltering almost before it is underway.

Meanwhile, away on the Lancastrian left the Scots mercenary spearmen, having been assured of a bonus, charge forward on the Yorkists' mercenary pikemen. The canny Scots are supported by a rabble of swordsman armed with two handed weapons.

Warwick's impetuous charge falls short of their target where Wenlock's billmen and MAA eagerly await the disjointed attack.

The Burgundian pikemen are routed in short order by 'Black George's' spearmen who immediately crash into the unprepared Burgundian handgonnes supporting the pikemen!

Fearing the worst Norfolk sends De La Pole's mounted MAA forward to turn back the Lancastrian tide.

Despite the odds, Warwick's bowmen with support from the Bills throw back Wenlock's MAA and Billmen! It is the Lancastrians turn to fear the worst if their centre crumbles. 

The Scots mercenary spearmen make short work of the Burgundian handgonnes blithely unaware of the threat posed by the mounted MAA to their flank.

Back on the Lancastrians' right despite his mounted MAA being steadily forced back Warwick tries to coordinate an all out assault on the enemy foot.

The Lancastrian position is far from secure despite successes on their left. The centre appears vulnerable if the Yorkists can coordinate their assaults.

Desperate times call for desperate measures as Henry VI must lead his Household foot knights and MAA into the thick of the action and shore up his army's position.

Buckingham throws Sir John Savage's billmen into the fight and despite the odds they break Warwick's retinue and secure the Lancastrian centre once more.

Worn down by repeatedly being bested in combat Warwick's mounted MAA are finally routed leaving his foot exposed to a flank attack. Edward's left and right are seeming to crumble before his eyes.

Despite his rising anxiety the situation on his right is not all lost yet. The mounted MAA have routed the mercenary Scots spearmen and threaten the swordsmen in support. However the final retinue on that flank cannot hold off the advancing Lancastrians and the Ward has suddenly reached Break point.

With his left and right Wards broken Edward realises it is all up for the Yorkist cause. The day is Henry's on this occasion it seems! He and his commanders slink away ready to raise fresh troops and fight another day.

A splendid game with fortunes changing back and forth as they do with Hail Ceasar2. Early successes for Phil's Yorkists were not sustained as the momentum swung my Lancastrians' way after a very hesitant start. We are not sure we will bother with Midgard for this period, it seems that we are somewhat set in our ways in ours 70's now. But, never say never...

Handing on the Torch!

I am blessed with two children and four grandchildren, all of whom bring me joy. I'm always interested in all their latest exploits, especially though those who share my interests in all things wargaming. As I'm just home from a long weekend with Matt & Sarah and their boys I thought I'd post a few pictures of the work of Reuben (10) and William (12). I hope you'll enjoy their work ~

Firstly, Reuben's work: two Bolt Action WWII figures above, German officer and British para; below a SAS figure with Anti-tank rifle!

A 1/32 Airfix(?) Figure below ~

Finally a 28mm Victrix Norman knight.

He enjoys painting obviously, and that's all that matters at this stage. Will he go on to outperform his Dad and Grandad? Time will tell!

You will all have seen William from time to time on this blog, he's been a regular in GHQ since before his first birthday! I thought you'd enjoy seeing some of his work too ~

Three Airfix WWII British infantry figures first ~

William is really into kit building too, all WWII of course. Not my period I have to confess so I can't say what it is!

But I know a tank when I see one! Even in winter camouflaged!

The two chaps in action painting and chatting together earlier in the year. 

The picture struck me as almost religious in composition...

"Call out the Commons!"

The first of two bases of Militia bowmen join the fray! Claymore Castings figures sculpted by Matt, received as a very kind gift from owner Dave Imrie after we chatted at The Other Partizan last month. I've tried to largely rely on a muted palette of colours hopefully to suggest their everyday wear rather than the Lord's  livery colours for example. Although they are 100 Years War figures I think they are fine for the earlier Wars of the Roses period, suggesting older equipment brought home from the wars and kept 'just in case'! Anyway, here they be ~

The figures for the second base are underway but there will be a delay in completing them as we are spending a long weekend down in Herefordshire visiting with Matt, Sarah, Arthur and Reuben. 

Hopefully the weather will look kindly on us.🤞

Command Stand #4

Working in short sessions off and on over this last weekend I have managed to complete the fourth of the new Command stands for my small Wars of the Roses project. This base will represent John De Vere, Earl of Oxford, a prominent Lancastrian commander during the wars. The figures are once again from Perry Miniatures. The mounted figure representing Oxford is accompanied by two Foot Knights and two further figures, being a Standard bearer and a Banner bearer. The flags are from Pete's Flags and the base from Warbases as ever.  See what you make of it anyway ~

And here it is on the tabletop battlefield here in GHQ taking command of one Ward for the Lancastrian faction ~

These four Command Stands have been a very pleasant distraction from churning out unit bases but for now its back to wielding the Brush of Doom on more archers in the shape of Claymore Castings sculpted for them by Matt. More on those as and when...

Some Really Sad News Received

 

I recently received what is to me the saddest hobby news since the sudden and unexpected passing of Duncan McFarland. It's not the loss of a fellow gamer I'm pleased to say, but it is nevertheless a loss I feel almost as deeply. I refer of course to the decision of Alumwell Wargames Society, of which I was once Secretary back in the mid '70s & 80s, to call time on their annual Show WMMS, of which Phil & I were the organisers in that same time frame.  This sad decision for what should have been its 50th anniversary has really been forced on them by decisions taken by local councillors and centre managers in respect of unreasonable hikes in hiring costs. This would have pushed up costs to traders and to attendees by a considerable amount which may have impacted either or both categories of the hobby in attending, which in turn might lead to losses on the event. So, yet another foundation of my hobby is cut away. I sure you will understand that I feel it almost like a bereavement,  but I'm also angered at the wider implications for all of us in this wonderful hobby.

Before the malign effects of the Plague/Coronavirus Phil and I might have attended anything up to 20 shows of all sizes over the course of the year. Over the years many have slipped from the calendar: think Triples, Derby Worlds, Midlands Militaire, Northern Militaire, and now WMMS. The most recent of these is perhaps also a victim of the Cost of Living crisis brought to us by incompetent politicians from the Orange Idiot Trump, through to our own bunch of incompetents past and present ~

While many I'm in no doubt would see all this loss as just another symptom of the greying of our hobby, I'm not so sure it is. At the recent TOP I saw many wargamers much younger than me eagerly perusing the games and parting with wads of moolah at the various trade stands. The daily adverts on the Web and in monthly hobby magazines shower us with new and innovative products, hobby Kickstarter projects have swollen exponentially over recent years, established companies bring out new ranges regularly. The hobby is in rude health it would seem. So, why are many established  shows seemingly in decline outside the biggest events like Salute, Partizans and Hammerhead, none of which come near rivalling the size and pull of Midland Games Expo? I've been discussing this recently with my son Matt  who I have to say put some uncomfortable points for me to reflect on. I'll just offer you a flavour of what he thought...

How many things can you do today that we're exactly the same now as in the 70's? The world has moved on and demands different things. 

They have become nostalgia experiences for old men. And the thing about old men is there are less every year...

The historically orientated events can be an embarrassment, the paucity of ambition that they show is astonishing ~

"A dimly lit sports hall and a few treasle tables?  Check. Great we have an event. No need to change anything..... Ever...... that will do." 

The pull is not the event it's a meeting with people who also go, and of they don't go then you don't. It's a social event with little or no provision made for socialising...they need to look at what it is they offer and change up where they need to. 

Choosing an appropriate venue is first on the list...anywhere but a sports hall. There are purpose built venues who specialise in events. Why a sports hall with no windows and a car park for 50 cars? 

Makes you think I'd hope as it has me. I'll takes the points in order shall I? 

The greying of the hobby is a long established point. Yet as I said I see many much younger folk at the events I have attended over the years. What I don't see are women and young families in any number, though thankfully both categories are found at events. At wider gaming events I speculate you'd see far more. I can't really argue that old men are time limited but I would argue there is more life in us yet as a group. We are also the group largely with the disposable income on which traders (and shows) depend.

The assessment of shows' lack of ambition does touch a nerve though. It's hard to argue that many sports halls are not fit for wargames shows' needs, think lighting and hard floors for a start. Car parking is another matter of concern as attendees frequently travel a fair distance to events. In respect of WMMS I wondered why when the club had to move venue it had not explored moving to Wolverhampton racecourse with its modern facilities and bountiful parking. It hasn't harmed Vapnartak or Colours it would seem. Maybe Matt has a point about lack of ambition? 

Of course I agree with Matt when it comes to the socialising aspect of shows coupled with the paucity of facilities for the same. Perhaps this stems from the original motive for founding many shows, namely to raise club funds? Once a club comes to rely on this source of income there's little obvious incentive to innovate. But without innovation an event might be one poor attendance from closing, Traders do need to cover costs at the very least after all. Are they voting with their feet?

What do Hammerhead, Salute, Partizan, The Other Partizan have in common? A large, purpose built facility; on site catering & parking - though at a price with Salute; they guarantee a large and varied market place for attendees to part with cash, which in turn brings in both the trade's big beasts but also punters in number.

There are undoubtedly other trends influencing the shelf life of any shows: the change in our habits brought about by lockdown; the rise of Internet shopping - think the demise of High Streets widely reported in the media; the cost of travel and accommodation; competing events in the wider world; the cost of living crisis; perhaps even BREXIT!

All in all perhaps the loss of shows is a sign of evolution in our hobby, rather like the rise of the bijou 'game in a box' - which I've derided in earlier blog posts. We may be too close to events to readily perceive trends, time will tell. Though even the largest events may not be immune to folk voting with their feet I'd suggest. There must be a place surely for some proper market research to explore both motivation of traders and punters when it comes to what they look for when choosing which events, if any, they will attend. Sadly I don't have the magic answers...

Command Stand #3

Well, things have not gone entirely to plan here in GHQ since I last made a blog posting. Not for any unpleasant reasons I'm pleased to report, but more due to being out and about in a fine Autumn spell of weather. The outcome in Hobby terms has been only one of the two planned Command stands being completed. So, no more blathering on, here it is ~

The mounted figure representing the Duke of Norfolk is supported by two standard bearers and two foot knights. All are from Perry Miniatures of course, with the standard and personal Heraldic banner from Pete's Flags and the base from Warbases of course. Here he is one the tabletop in GHQ taking command of his Ward ~

The previously mentioned fourth Command stand is now under the Brush of Doom so distractions permitting it should be completed over the weekend. A few more figures are ordered, but not yet delivered, despite the usurous P&P rates the Perrys charge! Over the winter season they will fill out the Retinues purchased at The Other Partizan recently. Next up though are the Claymore Castings archers sculpted by Matt. I hope my modest efforts will do these exquisite figures the justice they deserve...

Command Stands #s 1 & 2

When I started out on this small project earlier in the year I envisaged all the command stands on rectangular bases, as I hope  you will have seen with those of Edward IV and Henry VI earlier on. When it came to Command stands for the other two Wards in the armies I tried keeping the same base width but reducing the depth. Unfortunately  the figure compositions just didn't look right to my eye, so here we are back on 60mm round bases for the first two stands!

First to be completed for the Yorkist faction is Warwick, the Kingmaker. The figures are all from the Perry Miniatures range of metal figures.

Warwick himself is mounted, supported by his banner bearer  carrying his Personal Heraldic banner - from Pete'sFlags, and two foot knights or MAA.

First for the Lancastrian faction we have five figures on foot representing Buckingham and his entourage.

The man himself is supported by his personal Heraldic Banner bearer - banner made as a free download by Ray Rousell I believe, a Foot Knight and two MAA. Again they are all from the Perry Miniatures range of metal figures. 

I have figures for two more Command stands, Norfolk for the Yorkist faction and  Oxford for the Lancastrians. I'd hope to have both stands finished by the weekend all being well, though their flag sheets are currently in transit. After these are completed I have prepared the  Claymore Castings archers, those Matt sculpted for them, to represent archers from the Commons.