An intermittent blog of a few gamers and their adventures wargaming the English Civil War

Thursday 26 February 2015

Book Review: With Pike and Musket

 With Pike and Musket: Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century Battles for the Wargamer 
by Charles Wesencraft

OOP 'classic' edition cover
This 204 page classic gives a basic overview of the period, provides rules with which to fight battles and sets out a number of battles to be refought.  As such, its a great primer but with lots of detail for the Pike and Musket veteran too.


The book starts by describing the weapons and their uses, the generic tactics of the day and the typical formations, troop types and how they were used.  The organisation and structure of Elizabethan, Irish, ECW and New Model armies are included. Very good and simply explained for the genre novice.

The book then goes on to include wargaming rues for the period, which are typical of the time when they were written in 1975.  Very much in the Featherstone/Grant style, they were of passing interest but would no doubt work most capably.

The highlight of the book is that no less than twenty-seven battles of the period are described, including the numbers engaged, types of troops, battle maps and objectives.  These battles 5 pre ECW in Europe, then every major ECW engagement from Edgehill to Naseby, with four battles subsequent battles:

Pinkie 1547
Yellow Ford 1598
Curlieu Hills 1599
Nieuport 1600
John Curry reprint- available from Amazon here
Moyry Pass 1600
Newburn 1640
Edgehill 1642
Syon House 1642
Hopton Heath 1643
Ripple Field 1643
Stratton 1643
Lansdown 1643
Roundway Down 1643
First Newbury 1643
Winceby 1643
Nantwich 1644
Newark 1644
Cheriton 1644
Cropredy Bridge 1644
Marston Moor 1644
Lostwithiel 1644
Castle Dore 1644
2nd Newbury 1644
Naseby 1645
Rowton Heath 1645
Dunbar 1650
Worcester 1651

Each battle has 4 or so pages dedicated to it, with detailed suggestions for refighting them including special rules where applicable.  Very gaming focused vice historical analysis.

Overall this is a well written, enjoyable and very informative book which I'm glad I bought.  Thanks again to Millsy for the recommendation (I bet you've got the 'classic' edition in that great collection of yours haven't you!)

5 stars based on its information content, clarity and wargaming utility.

Monday 23 February 2015

Royalist reinforcements

New foote regiments have rallied to His Majesty courtesy of Alan's lovely brushwork.  Figs by Baccus.





Saturday 14 February 2015

Friends by the Sword Divided

So here begins the adventures of Alan, aka Dux Homunculorum, and Paul of the Man Cave as we delve into wargaming the English Civil War in 6mm.  Being a rebellious rapscallion, Alan aspires to command the New Model Army, while I am more of the Loyalist type and shall stay in His Majesty's service.

The first seven Royalist Foot units ready for service!
To date Alan has done the lion's share including painting both armies (using all Baccus figures).  You see, this is a year of preparation as we temporarily dwell in different countries.  With time in hand to paint and model, we hope to be able to get on with it when we again live in the same hemisphere next year.

Alan's Parliamentarian Army ready to do battle
The en mass look is rather cool - in fact, its what 6mm gaming is all about!



For rules we are currently undecided- Baccus's ECW Polemos or maybe the Basic Baroque (See here) as I know Alan really likes Impetus.  Of course there are many other options out there so we will see what happens.  Whatever happens, its going to be fun!

We plan in due course to post pics of models, book reviews and historical tid-bits as we find and enjoy them.  Aspirations to battle reports and even a campaign one day also.  Much more to follow using a timetable on the more brandy infused end of the flexible spectrum.

Friday 13 February 2015

ECW Reading

Thanks to Amazon I am now enjoying some new ECW reading.  While we have yet to determine which more modern rules we will use (Impetus, Polemos etc) these classic titles have some great content.

I must admit that as nice as it would be to have original editions, the Curry reprints of classic books are very nice, at very reasonable prices, and immediately available.
...and thanks for the tip on the Wesencraft title Millsy!

Saturday 7 February 2015

The Royal Standard has been raised!

Forces are now mobilising both for His Majesty and in support of the Parliamentarian cause.  
For whom do you declare?

The King's standard is raised at Nottingham castle, August 1642.  

An intermittent blog by two gamers sharing their adventures into wargaming the ECW.