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Valiant but Doomed
Following on from our refight of Falkirk Muir , Prince Charles Stuart has another chance to secure the British throne for his father —...
Simon MacDowall
Aug 25, 20242 min read
354 views
1 comment


The Ravens Wheeled
Now was riot raised, the ravens wheeled The eagle, eager for carrion, there was a cry on earth Then loosed they from their hands the...
Simon MacDowall
Aug 13, 20242 min read
203 views
2 comments


Wargaming the Age of the Anglo-Saxons
A great weekend at Sutton Hoo (27-28 July) with lots of games for youngsters to join in (and parents too). It also offered the...
Simon MacDowall
Jul 29, 20241 min read
80 views
0 comments


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...
Simon MacDowall
Jul 24, 20242 min read
61 views
3 comments


Lifting the Siege of Namur
King Louis XIV in person has led the French army into the Spanish Netherlands to lay siege to Namur. Driven from England by the Jacobites...
Simon MacDowall
Jul 22, 20243 min read
82 views
2 comments


"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...
Simon MacDowall
Jul 11, 20241 min read
48 views
1 comment


"He bade them their round shields rightly to hold"
The 2025 Society of Ancients Battle Day will feature the clash of Viking and English shieldwalls at Maldon (AD 991). In preparation for...
Simon MacDowall
Jul 6, 20241 min read
76 views
1 comment


Rorke's Drift Revisited
After returning from a month away, wargaming action returned yesterday with a chance to lead half of the Zulu army attacking Rorke’s...
Simon MacDowall
Jun 19, 20242 min read
67 views
3 comments


More Blue Painted Brits
Ancient British cavalry ride out to drive the Romans back into the sea.
Simon MacDowall
May 11, 20241 min read
43 views
1 comment


Putting the Frighteners on the Romans
Blue painted Ancient Britons strike fear amongst the Romans.
Simon MacDowall
Apr 22, 20242 min read
202 views
4 comments


A little bit of everything
Magnesia (189 BC) is the classical ancient battle that offers a little bit of everything. You get Roman legions, pike phalanxes,...
Simon MacDowall
Apr 10, 20242 min read
175 views
1 comment


Ilipa reversed
The Society of Ancients Battle Day was a huge success with a dozen games refighting the decisive clash between Romans and Carthaginians...
Simon MacDowall
Mar 25, 20243 min read
193 views
1 comment


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....
Simon MacDowall
Mar 20, 20241 min read
183 views
1 comment


Almost Ilipa
With the Society of Ancients Ilipa Battle Day only a couple of weeks away it was time for a final test game with my 6 mil Carthaginians...
Simon MacDowall
Mar 5, 20243 min read
183 views
3 comments


Jacobite joy followed by tears
Having raised the highland clans we gathered yesterday to re-fight Falkirk Muir (1746) with the aim of restoring the rightful King James...
Simon MacDowall
Mar 2, 20242 min read
119 views
2 comments


Pavia 499 years on
Today, just three days after the 499th anniversary of the Battle of Pavia (24 Feb 1525), the French and Imperialists meet again. This...
Simon MacDowall
Feb 27, 20242 min read
397 views
2 comments


'Alala! is launched
My rules for Greek Hoplite battles have now been published by the Society of Ancients. They are available from the Society website here....
Simon MacDowall
Feb 24, 20241 min read
105 views
0 comments


Aethelwulf's Revenge
The British leaders were feeling confident and perhaps a little cocky after their previous Dux Britanniarum victory over the Saxons in...
Simon MacDowall
Feb 19, 20243 min read
87 views
1 comment

Battle of Brothers
Following their defeat Somewhere in Spain, the Scipio Brothers (Gneaus and Publius) manage to withdraw in relatively good order to...
Simon MacDowall
Jan 21, 20243 min read
105 views
0 comments


The Treasure of Caer Colun
The Saxons, raiding deep into British held Caer Colun, stole the treasures of Praefectus Firmum Coquus but had to bury the loot in order...
Simon MacDowall
Jan 18, 20242 min read
84 views
3 comments
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