Wargame Rules

BLOG BACKGROUND AND WARGAME RULES
I have set up this blog for my wargaming interests in the Muscovite-Tartar Wars, Reconquista Wars, the Barbary Coast Pirates, and the early campaigns of the Ottoman Turks and Saracens. Some lesser known crusades will also be covered. Miniatures are mainly 28mm with a growing collection in 54mm. If my photographs serve to encourage others to complete their collections I shall be pleased. I will also be mentioning other sites with interesting collections on the above. Do join the 'Friends' if you like what you see.

I prefer to use my own rules which are kept simple and involve eight-sided dice. These allow for fast results with various types of weaponry. Morale dominates my games.


Wednesday 12 December 2012

Wargaming Constantinople 1453

Inspired by the epic historical event, the Honiton club were allowed to garrison Constantinople with as many 15th century medieval and warhammer figures they could muster (300plus), while a team from SKG3 took command of my near 600 Ottomans and their allies. Unfortunately for the Ottomans, most of our bombards facing the main wall cracked within a few shots, with no breaks on the city wall. Most of the best Ottoman troops were mounted, while the bulk of the foot were Azabs or colourful extras, on neither count of value attacking the defended walls. If that wasn't enough, we may have had six exotic tents, but hardly any siege equipment to cover our approach to the walls. Their garrison included some 50 English mercenary longbowmen, half of whom broke the final assault of some 90 janissaries attacking in column. Although the bombards facing the eastern walls made two breaches and brought down a tower, the two gallies and two rowing boats were insufficient to enable a major crossing to take advantage of the openings. Losses were no more than about 35 on the defenders, while we suffered about 100. Commencing at 8am, we concluded at 4pm, the Sultan unwilling to throw more lives against the city walls. We all enjoyed the game and I believe lessons were learnt on medieval tactics and the need for siegecraft. The rules were fast, fun, and realistic. Had the siege persisted and we had time to construct field works the result might have been different as most of the army was still intact, but ladders and dismounted siphari would have been vital. Sorry, most of the photos did not work out as well as hoped, but I'm confident the problems can be solved for future games.

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Late Visigoths and Feudal Iberians 700 to 1100


Here is a photo of a pack of Saxons I bought early last year from MINIATURE DESIGN STUDIO for the special offer price of £25 for fifty figures. I had to take advantage of this as it provided an opportunity to raise some late Visigoth or Feudal Iberians to oppose my Moorish invaders. I finally got around to painting them over the Christmas holiday. Even with some cavalry, I'm not expecting any victories however. My thanks to Dave who kindly gifted me a handful of Normans for leaders and standard bearers.

Tuesday 17 January 2012

Ottoman Silahtar Cavalry 1500-1800

Have recently completed a unit of Silahtars (Swordbearers). This formation was part of the Suvarileri (Household) cavalry belonging to the Ottoman Sultan. Note the distinct hat, similar but not the same as those used by the Janissaries. The figures are heavy converts from the splendid TAG and ESSEX ranges, the horses are Hinchliffe, the bow cases and quivers are from IRREGULAR MINIATURES