King Jean II

Jean II, Jean Le Bon, King of France 1350-1368. From the Valois family Royal line, primarily remembered for his capture at the Battle of Poiters. 28mm limited edition Warhammer miniature sculpted by the Perrys.

18th Century Sedan Chair.

 While on holidays we stayed at a lovely 16th century chateau Villars in the Cher department. Like most chateaux that have remained in families they have some amazing pieces of history in their collection. In the entry they had a family piece that was quite spectacular, leather painted panels and a 18th century frock coat. A splendid piece of history.

Vendee Rebellion book find

Great buy off FB market place this week, the three volume series by Jean-Francois Chappe of the history of the wars of the Vendee. All unread hardbacks in excellent condition, published in 1993 for the anniversary of the rebellion. 

 A bit of light reading for the next few weeks while I am on holiday, continuing my knowledge of the war. It will help I am sure with our Vendee battlefield tours, plus as  I continue to write my scenario series and Wargames rules for Vendee rebellion in western France.

Our Vendee Rebellion tour and Wargame is hereVendee rebellion tour

Salon de Guerre part IV

Today I started to add the Moloton (wall fabric underlay) and the 18th century reproduced fabric for the walls. Nessa commenced the restoration of the chandelier which was completed this afternoon.

Really happy with the 18th century reproduction fabric and how it looks with the gold and grey/white walls. Tomorrow I will erect the chandelier and complete the fabric on the 5x2 m wall.

Cheers
Matt

“Salon de Guerre” Wargames room part III

Yesterday I had my premier game in the partially finished “Salon de Guerre” with our week long holiday guest Chris Pringle   (Author of Bloody Big Battles) and his wife. A very delightful visit and a great rapid fire game to bless the room.

We decided to play a battalion of British paras with a support company holding the village to prevent the Germans from exiting the table. The Wehrmacht forces were two battalions of infantry, one stug and a recon light armoured car coy, plus a coy of recon mechanised infantry, commands by a RHQ.

Chris really used his battalion artillery well along with his mortars first to lay smoke to make his assault on the defending Brits, then to pound the paras until they were pinned. Eventually he assaulted the village after losing two companies pushed or destroyed the remaining Brits out capturing before the allotted 15 turns.

 

Cheers

Matt

French HYW MAA V

French Men at Arms HYW

Additions to my French army for the battles in the Anjou, Maine, Brittany and Normandy. Maine Chevaliers lead by Guillaume Blosset(Le Borgne or the One eye) knight Banneret, lord of Saint Pierre and Carouges, in the company of Pierre d'Alençon. At Baugé, la Brossinière, seat of Orleans. 28mm miniatures from Perry Miniatures.

Here

"Wargaming History"™ 

From Caesar to the Coldwar

Cheers

Matt

Sir John Landale, Scottish Schiltron

Sir John Landale of that ilk, seigneur de Laundeles, a Anglo Scot who fought for Edward until after Bannockburn, then was a supporter of Robert, a signatory to the Balliol roll. Schiltron for my Scottish war of Independence army. 28mm miniatures from Claymore and antediluvian  miniatures.

Salon de Guerre-Wargames room part two

Salon de Guerre

My “salon de Guerre“ Wargames room, will be the second one in France that I am aware of, the first of course is in Versailles palace, the other of course in in “l’hotel de Hercé” in sunny Mayenne!

I finally returned to work on the Wargames room restoration on the first floor this month after spending two months on the second floor renovations. We finally selected the colour combination after charging it from a darker scheme to a lighter putty colour and gold trim on the decorative wood work. The ceiling repair was a bit of work to get it 100%, I moved the communication cables and added the cat six cable in behind the skirting boards. The Exterior door repairs With some new glass and exterior waterproofing has to be done also. We opened up the fireplace again and it requires a little work before I fire can be lit in it again.

Overall very happy, still need to finish off the doors and some detail work, remove the heaters and paint behind them and put them back again (tomorrow’s job)  add the fabric to the large panel and the curtains (which Vanessa has made). The goal is to finish by next Wednesday.

A few photos of the progress

Cheers
Matt

Loire Vikings V

More Vikings, striking terror in the Loire!

The first raid in the Carolingian empire was on the monastery at the Île de Noirmoutier in 799. It became the most regular raided monastery by Vikings in France. The Vikings raided up and down the Loire and its tributaries allowing deep raids into Francia 

Another two resin 28mm Vikings from V & V miniatures. 

Cheers
Matt

French HYW MAA IIII

French Men at Arms HYW

French Armagnac MAA knights, squires and gentile men. Led by Jacques de Mathefelon, knight provost of Maine, lord of Lancheneil. Fought at la Brossinière, Le Mans, Fresnay, Laval and Verneuil. Part of my Hundred Years War men of Maine. The banner is also the current armorial for the city of Mayenne, Geoffrey de Mayenne used the arms when he fought for King John.

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

From Caesar to World War Two

Cheers
Matt