ECW Battlefields, Oxford and Partizan

Perhaps I need to spend some time painting and gaming, Rather than gallivanting about the country ? Such is the hard life of a retired war gamer.

The plan for the week was to visit some ECW Battlefields, then meet my wife in Oxford for a short break then head to see some friends before heading to Newark for Partizan show.

First up then. Trip to Naseby, the weather was lovely and I was really impressed by the battlefield, there is a local preservation society who have placed clear and well thought out information boards, the battlefield is also fairly unspoilt remaining mainly farmland, although of course more hedges and drainage than there would have been in 1645.

This is the Cromwell monument which roughly aligns with the centre of the Parliamentary line, Cromwell was probably further right in fact. This slight high ground gives a good view of the battlefield. This shot is actually looking NW diagonally across the battlefield.

By some random chance there were some re enactors on the battlefield these pretending to be Dragoons firing across the Sulby Hedges. A very fun visit all in all.

Next up I was staying in Cropredy Bridge and despite the slightly damp weather I set off on a walk around the Battlefield. Above the view across Silt Mill Ford, now a small bridge. Looking Waller took this route to cross to assault the Royalist, because of the gloom it looks further than it is but the road the King was taking runs up and over the low hills in the background.

A view from just below the road looking back down towards Silt Mill Ford

Cropredy Bridge itself with the only info board, the fields are where the Parliamentary Artillery setup having crossed but were then attacked by the Royalists. Cropredy Bridge is definitely on the list of battles to play when we can get into the shed and spreadout.

The weather improved in the afternoon so off to EdgeHill.

Having done a bit of research I knew this would likely be the most disappointing. Basically the majority of the battlefield is part of a large MOD ammunition storage facility and off limits it is actually pretty hard to access the battlefield. This shot is taken looking directly along the Royalist lines, the trees on high ground in the far distance is the far end of Edgehill. Because it is now wooded it is also hard to get a view from there either.

One nice surprise was Radway church

Where they have a nice little museum/display about the battle with some artefacts

The Battlefield monument marking the battlefield but actually placed off the edge of the battle itself. It’s a shame but a lot could be made of Edgehill if the land could be opened up.

Off then to the Kings Capital during the Civil war, we did loads of stuff but I’m only sharing the edited highlights.

castle and Prison, dating back to Saxons/Normans, used during Civil war and where Matilda escaped apparently during the anarchy. The prison is more Moderna and was used into the 1990’s !

The Ashmolean Museum. Free so worth a visit, this is the small gift giving by King Alfred.

Christ Church college headquarters of the king in the Civil war and the quadrangle was used for training and drilling troops, not allowed to even walk on the grass now !

Inside the church some regimental flags from the numerous Oxford regiments who fought in the Napoleonic wars.

This lovely/famous picture of Pavia was in the Ashmolean

I also managed a short (you don’t need that long) trip to the Soldiers of Oxford Musuem

One or two interesting artefacts but they don’t really make enough of the regimental history in my view

After a couple of days with friends I was off to Partizan. Many have already covered loads of the games, needless to say they was a lot of inspiration on view. It was also fantastic to meet a whole host of people and chat which made it a very pleasant day out. So just a couple of highlight battle picture from me.

Steve Jones AWI battle, I had a nice chat with him

Super Japanese battle, buildings and figures were lovely but they needed a bigger mat 

Gettysburg……lovely

Another AWI battle based on Bemis Heights I think

Seven years war I think

And another one

Lush indeed 😮 nice to see blankets the same as mine being used quite often around the show

Terrain heavy sub continent 

ACW if I recollect non historical but beautifully presented. These were the pick of the crop for me, notable by its absence were Napoleonic battles in 28mm perhaps next time there will be a flood of them ?

I did meet up with quite a lot of fellow bloggers and gamers and even remembered to take a selfie with Iain and Steve J we had a great chat about all things wargaming.

Loot you may ask, I wasn’t really in a spending mood but did pick up some stuff which I haven’t even unpacked yet so I will share that when I get a chance.

Hopefully some gaming next post ?

Thanks Matt ❤️

Must try harder ?

Since my trip down south I have been inordinately busy mainly with some household maintenance activities, whilst the hobby activity has continued blogging has take a back seat. So a bumper post to catch up on three games and some painting.

Not quite in order ….. first up we played a small French Indian War skirmish, using Rebels and Patriots 

The  British would attempt to get across the table from the left along the track through the woods. The French would ambush from the two further corners.

The french supported by a sizeable Native contingent

For the British, the Rangers lead the way, these fan out to open the road. Whilst the French infantry looks to cut the road behind the barn.

The Natives swarm around the church

The British infantry face off but somehow the Natives fail their activation to charge leaving them in a vulnerable position.

Not surprisingly despite charging the British they don’t last long.

The British skirmishers and rangers push on down the road as quickly as they can

After a double 6 activation the French receive some Native reinforcements these are able to charge just in time

Where they catch the British Militia by the Barn

These are butchered to a man including the British commander who is unfortunately with them. With the time limit now up for the battle this final assault by the french has levelled things up leaving the battle a tight draw. A lot of fun and a welcome return to the FiW which hasn’t seen much love for. Long time

Next up on the advice of Steve J I have been looking for this book finally it came up at a respectable price ! Looking forward to reading it and it is on the list…..

A bit of painting over the last couple of weeks

Some 3D printed windmills, these are 10mm scale for the SYW/ECW/TYW

Some ECW markers for units which are waivering 

Martin recently gifted me some spare FiW/AWI figures all are woodsmen or irregular militia figures. So rather than hide them away I pushed them to the front of the painting queue, they took a bit longer than expected as there isn’t much uniformity in the figures. But they are done and fought well in the FiW battle above.

Last week saw a trip down to George’s he has already blogged the result so no surprises here just some photos of his beautiful early war collection.

The Germans prepare for battle

I made a few mistakes in the setup allowing the British to get the advantage

The British are able to bring greater numbers into the battle and the Germans are outgunned

Eventually the Germans are driven back into the woods, a good win for the British and on to the second scenario

This week I visited Erik to play another historical ECW this time Ripple Field, just a few photos here of the battle

William Waller (my command) is holding the high ground outside of Tewkesbury they are outnumbered by the Royalist army but the slope is difficult ground so this might enable them to hold their position

This was Erik’s play of the scenario each trying slightly different approach, here the Royalist attempt to assault directly up the hill with their cavalry supported by their limited infantry. On the Royalist left their cavalry decide to pull back, this gave the numerical advantage to Waller.

When the cavalry attempts to assault back up the hill a very lucky volley from the Parliamentary dragoons sends them feeling back down the hill

The other side of the battle is much closer but again the Parliamentary forces win out including killing Maurice the Royalist commander. So a tough battle but in the end a decisive win for Parliament. A fun battle and the detail Erik puts into recreating the battle is impressive.

Thats is for now, another battle planned over with Martin tomorrow and then I’m heading down south again for a week or so, visiting some ECW Battlefields a trip to Oxford and finally heading to PARTIZAN wargame show. So if you are heading to Newark on the 17th it would be great to catch up.

Matt ❤️