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Simon MacDowall
Nov 32 min read
Polishing the bronze
Painting bronze shields and armour on Ancient Greeks
23 views0 comments
Simon MacDowall
Oct 91 min read
Greek Mercenary Hoplites
Needing more Greek hoplites that could slot into any army I have just painted up a unit of mercenaries. The white shields and some...
24 views0 comments
Simon MacDowall
Jul 242 min read
Norse cruise line promises exciting excursions in England
Potential passengers are already signing up in Norway and Denmark for a cruise organised by Olaf Tryggvason which will set sail next...
52 views3 comments
Simon MacDowall
Jul 111 min read
"These perils frightened our soldiers."
The quote forming the titile is from Julius Caesar describing the effect British chariots had on his men. In preparation for a game of...
45 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
May 111 min read
More Blue Painted Brits
Ancient British cavalry ride out to drive the Romans back into the sea.
43 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
Apr 222 min read
Putting the Frighteners on the Romans
Blue painted Ancient Britons strike fear amongst the Romans.
199 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
Mar 201 min read
Men and horses in glistening armour
After the Society of Ancients Ilipa Battle Day (this coming weekend) I rather fancy pitting my 6 mil Romans up against the Seleucids....
180 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
Dec 1, 20232 min read
Small Recruits for Carthage
I have now completed the four units of 6mm Spanish scutarii I need for my Carthaginian army. Recruited for the Society of Ancients Ilipa...
92 views6 comments
Simon MacDowall
Nov 17, 20232 min read
Downsizing
Over the past few years I have been playing with the big kids. Now I am revisiting my 6 mil ancients. My motivation is the Society of...
346 views4 comments
Simon MacDowall
Nov 8, 20231 min read
The Last Yorkists
Stoke Field (1487) was the last attempt by the Yorkists to regain the throne of England. These figures are also the last Yorkists I...
83 views0 comments
Simon MacDowall
Nov 5, 20231 min read
The Wild Irish
Next Sunday I shall be staging the last battle of the Wars of the Roses — Stoke Field (1487). Around 4000 Irish, led by Sir Thomas...
91 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
Oct 6, 20231 min read
New Wars of the Roses Command Groups
When I first began to paint my Wars of the Roses armies I decided to focus on those contingents taking part in the Battle of Barnet...
73 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
Aug 17, 20233 min read
Arming the Knights
Painting 15th Century men at arms could be incredibly simple since most were encased from head to foot in armour. A black wash over...
398 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
Aug 15, 20231 min read
Lancastrian Archers
Working through my orders of battle for Barnet (1471) I realised that I needed a few more Lancastrian archers. As I had plenty of spares...
49 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
Aug 8, 20231 min read
Raising the Shires for King Edward
Originally a Lancastrian, Sir William Norreys changed his allegiance to King Edward IV after the Battle of Towton. Sir William commanded...
69 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
Jul 21, 20231 min read
Seljuk Ghulams
The latest off my painting table is this unit of Seljuk Ghulams — the professional ‘slave soldiers’ of Alp Arslan’s army at Manzikert....
114 views3 comments
Simon MacDowall
Jul 5, 20231 min read
Alp Arslan Considers
Faced with a far more numerous enemy at Manzikert, Sultan Muhammad Ibn Dawud Çağrı, known as Alp Arslan, considers his options. Alp...
66 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
Jun 10, 20231 min read
Stong as a Lion
Muhammad Ibn Dawud Çağrı, know as ‘Alp Arslan’ (strong as a lion), led the Seljuk Turks to victory over the East Romans at Manzikert in...
59 views1 comment
Simon MacDowall
May 27, 20231 min read
Ready to Battle the Turks
My 11th C Armenians are now ready to join the East Roman Emperor's expedition against the Seljuk Turks. The figures are all from Perry...
120 views2 comments
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