"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.

The New Normal?

Although I'm over the worst of the late unpleasantness I have to say its left my listless and disinclined to get stuck into the old Lead Pimple. I have just managed to complete the second base of Scots infantry with two handed weapons. They've joined their fellows in GHQ now, awaiting the second run through with Midgard sometime next month now. A quick peek at the fellows then ~

I was chatting with Dave Imrie at The Other Partizan about the suitability of some of the Claymore Castings which Matt had made for him. He generously offered to send me some and yesterday they arrived,  13 Archers which will make two bases in our games. The style of dress is not too different from the earlier Wars of the Roses figures in my collection on closer examination. One base will represent a Levy unit, the Commons, and one will join Sir John Savage's Retinue for now.

Next though to endure their time under the Brush of Doom will be some Command bases for the two factions' Van and Rear Wards. The first two respectively will feature Warwick and Buckingham, I'd hope to have them done next week. 

As you can tell, my spray primer of choice has been delivered and some of the figures added to the Lead Pimple at The Other Partizan have now been spray undercoated and are awaiting their fate! Unless my 'get up and go' returns though it will be a while before these are all done, let alone the others still hidden in blisters and boxes buried deep in the Lead Pimple. In the meantime as a treat the current whole collection laid out on my tabletop battlefield here in GHQ ~

Everything added into the collection up to today's addition previously mentioned.

The Lancastrians drawn up for battle!

The Yorkist faction so recently triumphant in our inaugural game with the collection. Command stands sometime next week all things being equal as there's no game being played due to R&R and other resl life issues.

Scots Awa'!

Progress here in GHQ came to a sudden halt last weekend when I succumbed to the Novovirus, not a particularly pleasant experience! Slow recovery though has allowed me to show you more Scots completed prior to the unpleasantness. They will offer their services in the cause of my Lancastrians, mercenaries under the command of "Black George", a  fearsome warrior of reknown. Perry Miniatures' Irish Kerns of course repurposed as Scottish mercenary infantry armed with a variety of two handed weapons. They fight as you might expect under the 'Blue Blanket' provided by Flags of War ~

They should be joined in due course by a second such base giving me the option of combining the two or using each independently as scenarios require. They were pretty straightforward to paint really, not overburdened with much in the way of kit as you can see. After those I've four Command bases I've been toying with adding to the look of the game after my recent TOP haul - see an earlier entry if you missed them. Then in due course it might be back to adding a couple of Retinues to each side. More archers! Oh Joy, Oh Rapture!

"Because, forsooth, the king of Scots is crown'd."

It's taken me a while to recover both from The Other Partizan and the drubbing Phil handed out on Tuesday but I've finally finished my unit of Scottish spearmen.  Now they are done the will join the Lancastrian army as Mercenary Allies. At some future date they will be bolstered by two bases of infantry with two handed weapons. They are made up from the Halberdiers/Pikemen Attacking packs in Perry Miniatures' European Armies range together with two standard bearers from their Wars of the Roses range and two figures from their Kern Command. The Scottish flavour is added to by two banners from Flags of War ~

I've also cleaned up some of the Perry Miniatures figures I purchased at TOP from Dave Thomas - sound chap remember - to make the previously mentioned second base of Scots with two handed weapons. Alongside these I've also cleaned up more figures which I plan to use to make more Command bases. No project is ever finished is it? Finally then, the lads join the battle lines on the tabletop battlefield here in GHQ ready for the next run out of the Armies ~

Next up here on the blog is hopefully a further base of Scots now I've sourced a new supplier of Hycote Double Acrylic White Primer, my spray undercoat of choice. 

"A dice, a dice! My kingdom for a dice!"

Phil and I played a small game on Tuesday with my steadily growing Wars of the Roses collection. As the Lancastrian faction is still incomplete we made them defend their camp against a surprise Yorkist foray overseen by Sir Philip, Lord of Rawnsley. Oversight of the befuddled Lancastrians fell to Lord Wulfrun, a stout supporter of Henry VI and other lost causes. We used Hail Caesar for this game with the two armies' fighting stats from the Wars of the Roses supplement.  Now then, the usual annotated photomontage to hopefully carry you down into the action and a share in the anguish of defeat ~

The Bishop of Lichfield leads the congregation in praying for a victorious deliverance from the traitorous hosts arrayed against them.

At the conclusion of Turn 1 the table showed very little martial fervour displayed by either army!

While the Lancastrian centre has shuffled forward towards the enemy the Duke of Buckingham cannot get Lord Wenlock's Retinue to move at all!

The Yorkists are having similar difficulties, with Warwick's Vanward showing little enthusiasm to get into the fight!

Wenlock still does not want to advance. Perhaps the sight of Warwick's artillery is dampening his ardour! More likely though its my run of dreadful Command rolls.

At last in Turn 4 Wenlock condescends to advance, slowly. The plan to fall on the flank of Warwick's assault is already unravelling. 

In desperation Buckingham sends his mercenary crossbowmen forward hoping their fire will disrupt Warwick's artillery. In the centre both sides have been exchanging archery fire. It's safe to say any passing barn door would be safe from the Lancastrian fire!

Already Lancastrian casuslties are mounting and Disorder is spreading.  Some longbowmen have already had enough and retire!

At last in Turn 6 the Yorkists have got themselves organised and are determined to close with their foe!

Lancastrian archery has had almost no effect on the Yorkist centre. The opposite is true of Yorkist fire on the Lancastrians. 

The Yorkist main Ward has surged forward across the gap separating the two sides, Fauconberg's Retinue overwhelming the Lancastrian artillery supporting their lines. The dice fail me once again when the longbowmen are caught by the MAA!

The longbowmen will buckle and retire Disordered,  the beginning of the collapse for the Lancastrian army.

The Lancastrian artillery collapse too under the weight of Fauconberg's assault, despite their stout defence in the previous turn. The end is in sight now it seems?

Giffard's Retinue are roughly handled in the melee and loose cohesion due to mounting losses, becoming Shaken.

The continuing melee is too much for them and they break and flee to the rear fearing for their lives!

On the right Buckingham cannot only look on impotently as Wenlock's Retinue throws in the towel and joins in the flight, the Yorkist artillery doing terrible slaughter at close range!

With Wenlock's collapse Buckingham can do no more as his Ward disintegrates before his eyes! "Wenlock will loose his head for this!" he exclaimed.

Savage and Clifford see their Households loose heart and join in the general fight! It's a crushing defeat for the Lancastrians!

Henry joins the general flight leaving the camp defenseless and letting the looting begin! A quite remarkable first game for the collection. Utter defeat for the Lancastrians, the Yorkists suffering very few losses overall. In 12 Turns I failed 10 Command rolls, most of them on my Right with Buckingham's Ward. My men were consistently out shot, then out fought, and finally just melted away like snow in the thaw... Great fun though! Now I really must get more figures into the fray for the follow up game next time.