20mm Normandy cafe, what is in a name

Almost completed my 20mm Normandy Cafe all I need to do is name it. I need a name that will work for Normandy, Brittany and Pays de La Loire, so I can use it o on my table in any location. Thoughts guys? I have currently digging through my 1939 copy of the Blues guide to Normandy for inspiration.

Cheers
Matt

20mm Bombed out building

Chipping way at completing the 20mm buildings, this bombed out building has been in the painting stash for at least 3 years, very happy with my result though.

 

Cheers
Matt

Merry Christmas 2019

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and your families.

A special merry Christmas to al our guests who have joined us at French Wargame Holidays at L'Hotel de Hercé this year from China, United States of America, Canada, Australia, India, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria and France.

It has been a pleasure to welcome the partners to stay and enjoy our historic 18th century Maison particular-  L'Hotel de Hercé, and to experience western France, the real France where people can walk in the footsteps of history.

Salut
Matt and Nessa

20mm building boom

I have been working on so,e terrain this week, specifically 20mm bits for my Normandy and Arnhem tables.

Two Resin Houses, ( raventhorpe shop) one ruin and one plastic Faller I think model railway kit I purchased off eBay. First job was to remove the plastic roof and build an interior. Next to build a roof for the partly ruined building and the ruins I added sandbags. The Raventhorpe shop will be a straight forward build.

Chassuers de Fischer

another unit rescued from my 7YW blog fine and dandy. Chassuers de fischer, with perry mirliton for the drummers and officers.

Volutaires de Bretons

another unit moved from my 7YW blog, the voluntaires de Bretons fought in the WAS and become part of  volutaires de Flandre for the 7YW.

Voluntaries Étrangers de Clermont Prince

I have posted this here after I closed my 7YW blog that was dormant for a number of years, I sold these recently to an American client.

Regiment La Sarre, 7YW French

Another French 7YW unit off the desk, regiment La Sarre, originally raised as Regiment de la Ferté-Senneterre in the Lorraine by Maréchal de La Ferté on the 20th May 1651. The regiment consisted of two battalions in the 7 YW and was commanded from February 1747 by Louis-Guy-Sacriste de Tombeboeuf, chevalier than Marquis de Montpouillan and in December 1767 Jean-Henri Morel de Groslée, Compte de Peyre.

1st battalion
The first battalion was posted 1757 to Royan until 1760 thence to La Rochelle, in

2nd battalion
Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Etienne-Guillaume de Senezergues, made brigadier on the 10th February 1759, second in command to Montcalm  at the plains of Abraham

 battle honours
1756 battle of Fort Oswego
1757 battle fort William Henry
1758 battle fort Carillon (Ticonderoga)nnnn
1759 battle plain of Abraham
1760 battle Sainte-Foy
1760 capitulation of Montreal

After the return of the depleted second battalion from Canada the depleted regiment was reorganised. In 1762 the regiment was part of the corps of Maréchal de Beauvau sent to Spain during the attempted conquest of Portugal. The regiment was at the siege of Almedia and qautered in Andal. I need 1763 the regiment returned to France.

Cheers 

Matt

La Reine French line infantry Regiment 7YW

Off the desk this week La Reine line infantry regiment, 28mm Front Rank miniatures, just a joy to paint.

The regiment La Reine was raised in 1634 as a gentlemens regiment, the regiment caserne was  in Montpellier, by the seven years war the Queen was the Colonel, so the regiments were officered by Colonel lieutenants, From 1759 to 62 the regiment Colonel Lieutenant was Anne-Emmanuel-François-George Marquis de Crussol d'Ambois (who lost his head during the revolution). In 1762 the Colonel lieutenant was Charles-François-Casimir de Saulx, Comte de Tavannes until 1774. 

The first battalion had very little action in the European theatre, but the second fought in most the the major engagements in Canada. 

For sale €150 + postage, 24 figures plus mounted Colonel and battalion gun. Mark Sold in comments or use the contact form on the on the page.

 

1st Louisiana Wheats Tigers Battalion

1st Louisiana Volunteers Wheats Tigers

Off the painting desk this week before my eyes go crossed from plaid, I finished off a quite paint job of some ACW figures I had in my "painting sometimes" pile, or draw to be more correct. From time to time while in the middle of a project and not feeling inspired I will pick up something very simple and paint it, from this pile of lead, then normally sell it, because I am no longer playing the period. This is the case for these chaps as I already have a battalion in my collection so surplus now to my needs. The 28mm miniatures are sculpted by the talented Mark Fenton, and are sold by Adventure time Miniatures through Elite Miniatures Australia, I think they are some of the finest sculpted ACW figures on the market today.

On eBay now here in my shop

The 1st Louisiana tigers had a bad reputation during the war, being raised from "the lowest scum of the lower Mississippi...adventurous wharf rats, thieves and outcasts...and bad characters generally." 

But I think almost all confederate players will have an entire battalion in their collection. I doubt as do historians that the entire battalion ever wore the Zouave uniform, as each company was raised independently,  but wargamers being wargamers will paint the entire battalion looking that way. Some still even paint the uniform in brown, which as far as I know has been disproved, being blue that has faded to a brown as the dye was of bad quality. 

This range is also available from Adventure Miniatures sold by Elite Miniatures Australia. Here

Enjoy 

Cheers

Matt

Plodding through Plaid.....painting miniatures thoughts

I posted the picture below tonight on a number of Facebook forums and had probably the best reaction to a photo for some time. Painting plaid is a daunting task and I have tried over the years to perfect it. The secret is paint flow, and shading highlights. I basically paint and wash like I do for all my models, then highlight, then add the lines, then highlight the squares inbetween. For the fine lines I have tried wet palettes, water, drying retarder and mediums etc, I finally settled on a idea I read on planet models forum using a single drop Vallejo varnish as the medium.  I find it works the best on a wet palette, dragging both together into a mix, too a milk consistency,  add a good brush, preferably sable, I used a 5/0 kolinsky on this piece, but a good 000 will give a satisfactory result as long as it has a good point. Brush washing also helps, as I paint almost every day I wear our brushes quite fast, so I like to wash them weekly so I can get a long service from a expensive sable? As for the lines I lay it down on my finger nail first to ensure it is correct, also I find a good magnifier is required, I use mine for all my painting now my eyes are failing me. I purchased it at a dress makers shop and have the brightest daylight globe I could find.

Hope that is helpful, not a expert at any means, but happy to pass on my tips.

Cheers
Matt

28mm Kingdom of Domnonée Breton light cavalry I

Breton Light Cavalry I

Completed more light cavalry for my Kingdom of Domnonée army which spans from the 4th to the 11th century. These are great sculpts from Footsore miniatures. I am very happy with the light plaid pattern on two of the figures, not convinced with my red though.

 The Bretons have a recorded history of light cavalry since the eastern invasion of Francia of the Goths/Alani in the early 5th century. The Romans settled the Alani and Goths along the border with the Armoricans, the Notitia Dignitatum places them in Orleans, Poiters, Rennes, Alençon, Mayenne, Le Mans and Chartres. These areas became predominant Frank horse breeding areas in the 10th century and remained so up until the 19th century, 6 of the 8 French military light and heavy horse breeds come from the area).
  John Wallace-Hadrill in his book Long Haired Kings, links the strength of the Breton feigned flight back to the Alani tactic in the 5th century, and the the overall use of heavy cavalry by the nobles. In several battles with the Franks, Vikings and Normans they used this tactic very successfully. By the 8th century the Breton border had moved to the west from the modern Mayenne river to the Vilane river, then back and forth for the next two centuries. Under Pepin the short, the Anjou-Maine Franks gained the territory, capturing the remaining Breton horse breeding areas almost entirely.  By the 11th century the Anjou-Maine cavalry were also using the tactic of feigned flight, most famously allied with William the Conqueror along with the Bretons knights using feigned flight tactic at the battle of Hastings to break the Saxon sheildwall.

"walk the battlefield in the morning, wargame in the afternoon"™

Cheers

Matt

28mm Breton Kingdom of Domnonée Coloni infantry IIII

Coloni Infantry IIII

More 28mm Armorican Kingdom of Domnonée Breton 4th to 11th century project. The Coloni were colonists from mainland Britain. The infantry are from the Gripping Beast Miniatures dark age Plastics. Ready to fight the Alani, Romans, Franks and Vikings. A few head swaps with Victrix miniatures and two metal shields. Based for Impetus rules. 

"walk the battlefield in the morning, wargame in the afternoon"™

Cheers

Matt

28mm Dark Age Anjou-Maine infantry III

Carolingian Frank Anjou-Maine heavy Infantry III

Another unit completed of Gripping beast plastics with a few head swaps of Victrix Celts, a few plastic javelins and a few metal shields in the mix. Transfers are LMBS and hand painted shields.
This unit could easily serve as any dark age unit, Carolingian Frankish Anjou-Maine infantry, Bretons, or even Goths.

"walk the battlefield in the morning, wargame in the afternoon"™

Cheers

Matt

28mm dark age Breton heavy infantry III

Breton heavy Infantry III

A hive of activity on the desk this weekend as my mojo returns for painting, another Breton unit but for my Kingdom of Domnonée army from the 4th to the 11th century. All metal from Footsore miniatures, with various shield makes, LBMS transfers and metal spears I made myself. Really easy to paint these and happy with the result. This base with it flag will designate an attached command on a stand for Impetus, although I prefer separate commanders normally as I tend to get them mostly killed when attached!

"walk the battlefield in the morning, wargame in the afternoon"™

Cheers

Matt

28mm Dark Age skirmishers

Completed two units of archers, one for late Roman -Alan  archers and a generic Archer dark age base.
Figures are Footsore miniatures. They will fit into any of my late Roman and dark age armies nicely.

Cheers

Matt

28mm Aulerci Diablintes tribesmen III

More naked Victrix Tribesmen off the painting desk this weekend, another Aulerci Diablintes heavy foot unit ready to fight off the roman invader!

I managed to assemble the whole remaining 180 Victrix miniatures over the last three weeks, predominantly undercoated they are now awaiting paint over the remainder of Autumn and winter?
I am not looking forward to painting the clothed figures in plaid, but have settled on some contrast patterns, that I have made recipes for over the last three days. I have also mass based the shields and started cuting out the LBM transfers.

Cheers
Matt

28mm Alan warlord

This Footsore command miniature has been sitting around for some time awaiting completion as I wanted a hunting or war dog on the base, after a desk clean up today in preparation for clearing for the Autumn painting projects,  I headed up to the third floor and seeked out my 28mm spares box and found a suitable Warlord Miniatures war dog.  I then finished the dog off and added it to the completed the command base.

This commander will lead my Alan warband. The Alan's were based in Aurelianum (modern Orleans) capital from 406ad and controlled lands along the Loire, Sarthe and Mayenne rivers. The Romans and later the Franks used them to put down rebellions in the west including Armorican massif (Brittany) and famously defended their capital Aurelianum against Atilla the Hun. Later at the battle of Challons in 451 the Alan and Goth cavalry break the Hunnic centre.

Cheers
Matt

28mm Dark Age Breton Coloni Infantry II

Breton Coloni Infantry II

Finally back into a rhythm of painting after assembling 200 odd perry miniatures 100YW miniatures, it truly has been a slog. I also completed a number of Celts also, and finally had an opportunity to undercoat them. I also managed to get some time for some painting yesterday and today completing another two units with another three close behind.

The latest off the desk some more Breton Coloni infantry for my Kingdom of Domnonée dark age army 4th to 11th century, although this unit could double as Maine/Anjou or saxon pirate raiders also.

"walk the battlefield in the morning, wargame in the afternoon"™

Cheers

Matt

Saint Crispins day

On a cool misty autumn day 604 years ago a small English army knelt in prayer on Saint Crispin's day, awaiting the outcome of the heralds parley.

 For several weeks the English army had been on the move, harassed by the French, now it was time for a stand near the village of Azincourt. The French western army had finally caught up with them. 

Soon violent battle would begin and flower of French Nobility would be laying dead upon the plowed fields. One of the greatest victories of the 100 years war would be over, and a period of English dominance would begin. 

Words made famous by Shakespeare's play Henry V. 

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d,

And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall live this day, and see old age,

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,

And say “To-morrow is Saint Crispian.”

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,

And say “These wounds I had on Crispin's day.”

Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,

But he’ll remember, with advantages,

What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,

Familiar in his mouth as household words-

Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,

Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-

Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red.

This story shall the good man teach his son;

And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remembered-

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition;

And gentlemen in England now-a-bed

Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

I hope very soon to make a pilgrimage to the new museum at Azincourt. I was lucky enough to have visited London tower for the 600th anniversary and seen the grand Perry display, then attended Henry V at the Barbican. 

The image above I use on my blog header and sums up that early morning.

Cheers

Matt

Battle of Neville's Cross 1346

This week we hosted two Australians at L'Hotel de Hercé, "Baron" Ricson and Doc Smith, we had quite a full tour schedule but did put aside a wargames day in the petite Salon.

The good Baron wanted to play a medieval game based on his Scottish heritage and Wednesday was the anniversary of the battle of Neville's Cross. I have quite a large collection of late 13th and early 14th century Scot and English armies, with a wide range of manufacturers miniatures in the collection, primarily Claymore miniatures, with a mix of Old glory, in the Scot army and Claymore, old glory, Crusader, Foundry, Mirliton, Anteluvian, and fireforge in the English army. We used Advanced Impetus rules, I find they work very well especially if you like a result in under three hours of game play, both players were relatively inexperienced playing the rules but quickly picked them up.

We set up historically, with the English closest to the castle and city, and the scots at the top of the valley on a small ridge line. The English won the opening roll and advanced, the opening round of archery from them was quite devesating, causing casualties along the Scot skirmish and archery line. The infantry line advanced twice, passing the woods on the left flank, the Scots then launched set ambushes of light javelin and highlanders. In the second round the English continued to advance and in this round the English longbow drove back the scots to their own lines, the return fire from the scots lights done more damage removing a whole base. Turn three the English won initiate again, moving the line forward and manoeuvring around the woods in the centre, and charging the Scot lights in the woods, who fell back. Turn four the scots won initiate, the archery doing very little damage, so decide to advance off the hill and attack the disordered English line, some success but not enough, the English the new elected to engage the scots, who now were disordered on thier right, so not in schiltron, and great murder was done, only the kings base did not recoil. Turn five seen the English left flank crumble under the scotish onslaught and things were looking up, but the resulting combat on the English right seen King David captured and the whole Scottish army leave the feild as a result.