Which bit of the 18th century attracts you most, and why?

[Henry Hyde]

Anyone who has seen my articles in Battlegames or MWBG, or has read my book, will no doubt already be sick of hearing me bang on about how much I love the mid-18th century (Wars of the Austrian Succession/Seven Years War), largely because it was the late Charles Grant’s The War Game that ‘imprinted’ the period on me as a young lad, together with the vast potential for imagi-nations that has led to the perpetual, and apparently ever-expanding Wars of the Faltenian Succession.

But I am conscious of the fact that many gamers prefer, say, Marlborough’s wars, the Great Northern War, AWI or even the latter decades approaching the French Revolution. And no doubt there are many of you who can’t stand imagi-nations and prefer to game strictly historical encounters — or perhaps even both.

So please, do reveal your own whys and wherefores for gaming in The Age of Enlightenment.

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[Jeremy Sutcliffe]

Why the Seven Years War rather than Malburian or he American War of Independence?

It’s a long time ago now. It was my first venture into 15mm in the days when Minifigs made them in strips of 5 figures. Were there Malburian or AWI ranges way back then and the forces (French and Prussian) were built up to use WRG 1685 – 1845 which for some reason had units of 14 figures.

I didn’t particularly warm to the rules and it became very much a dormant period. However I noted a number of other firms making 7YW 15mm ranges and gradually the collection grew and I began using them more playing to Principles of War based to the 40mm DBx norm with 3 units to a base. (I kept toying with using Horse Foot and Guns)

That dangerous instance of money in my pocket in my last 15 minutes at a show resulted in a starter pack for a British force which, like the others grew with an eclectic mix of figures. I later added Russian and Austrian forces.

These have been well used, playing to Black Powder, including a couple of intensive campaigns.

 

[Hwiccee]

Personally I think the era has many of the best things of other periods, often to a greater extent than them, and also extra ‘pull’. For example the armies are more colourful than say a period like Napoleonics know for it’s colour. While there are many interesting and less well known battles, wars, armies, nations. This last probably is the reason for the popularity of imaginations set in this era – there were plenty of real similar nations around at this time. The period is also one of major developments in war from the earlier practices to the relatively modern practices of Napoleons time – it is a key period in the development of warfare.

For me though this led to a diminishing interest in imaginations, reality is just a lot more interesting than anything you can make up. I did it in the past and kind of like the idea of trying again some time but I foolish sold my Spencer Smith armies some time ago. It is a similar story for me with AWI – I have played it but not greatly. What I just love is the historical battles in the first half or so of the century.

Originally I was most interested in the SYW but then the search for the roots of warfare in this war led me to the GNW, which in turn led me to Marlborough’s wars. So in recent times my battles have been mainly in the early part of the century but I still love the SYW era as well. I suspect I will be revisiting the SYW era again in the future, or at least the WAS – a much under gamed war in my view. I also have started to dabble in Ottoman wars of this era, there are just so many possibilities.

[Shecky]

I became interested in this period soon after I started miniature wargaming and after I discovered and devoured anything by Duffy.

From a historical perspective, I like the evolving tactics, strategy and army organizations.

From a gaming perspective, I like how within most armies there are a variety of uniforms. By the time you get to Napoleonics most armies had standard uniforms and it gets tiring painting the same Russian green or French blue over and over again.

From a personal perspective, I enjoy collecting books about the period. At one time I had a signed original Savory’s “Britannic Majesty’s Army in Germany”, with dust jacket and a letter from Savory as to why he wrote the book.

[James (olicana) Roach]

I’m attracted to the European side of the SYW. I like the rigidity of formations, the army sizes (typically a few tens of thousands) and the colour. I’m also a fan of ‘balanced’ armies that aren’t dominated by one arm: Cavalry, infantry and artillery all seem to come together in the 18th century better than any other H&M sub period I know.

My whoring and daubing:
http://olicanalad.blogspot.co.uk/

[Steve Burt]

Personally the French & Indian War has always been the biggest attraction for me. Birch bark canoes slipping through snowy forests; raid and counter-raid.

After that, it would have to be British v French in India. Elephants with guns! Camels with rockets! Armoured cavalry. Sword-wielding Ghazis. Sepoys in shorts, and European regulars. What’s not to like?

 

[Tassie Wargamer]

My own interest in the Eighteenth Century is chiefly centred on the Seven Years War because of the amazing variety of uniforms and the many different campaign theatres. It has unfortunately remained a project in waiting, although I have amassed a variety of 30mm flats, semi-rounds and round miniatures from which to form my armies. I hope to eventually achieve enough impetus to fully immerse myself in wargaming the Age of Reason.

My Blog: http://wargamespavilion.wordpress.com/

[Not Connard Sage]

War of the Spanish Succession.

 

It was a period of transition in warfare:  professional armies – especially the cavalry, the demise of pike and rise of the bayonet,  ‘proper’ artillery. All requiring an adjustment in generalship from the practices of the previous century mandating a closer co-operation between the three arms. Then there was Vauban and his military engineering.

 

…and the armies are easier to paint 😉

Obvious contrarian and passive aggressive old prat, who is taken far too seriously by some and not seriously enough by others.

[dhauser]

For me it has always been the WSS/GNW and the AWI.

The WSS/GNW is the essence of warfare change. The old and the new together on the battlefield. Exotic uniforms and units with steady ranks of regular troops. The pike is still present in some quantity and horse is still armored.

AWI has a special place as the AWI figures from the back of a comic book were my first true wargame figures with Donald Featherstone’s excellent book War Games.  It also has the advantage of colorful uniforms, large battles, small battles, amphibious operations and a range of characters that are all a bit larger then life to me.

[jef croucher]

AWI.  Manageable wargaming armies, close battles in difficult terrain, different uniforms, troop types, quality etc.

http://jefslittlewinki.pbworks.com/w/page/67177157/FrontPage

[Truscott Trotter]

hah i can now post to this thread! Thanks Mr Editor

Anyway my interest is primarily F&IW and I play Muskets and Tomahawks skirmish rules.

I am though slowly expanding my gaming interests into other parts of the SYW and also the AWI

I kidded myself I would start with F&IW skirmish as that would not need more than 20-30 figures. I now have over 100 28mm and am thinking of starting another army ( I play French/Canadian/Indian )

Other option is to expand into AWI  and reuse some of the Indians and French and jsut ass a few Patriots.

I have resisted buying 15/18mm figures to do the larger battles……so far.

Some of my figures (apologies for the poor camera work)

 

[duc de limbourg]

I started with Napoleonics but second came the 7YW, both in 15mil. 7YW because of the uniforms, smaller battles, and tricorns.

We have also Nine Years War figures (does that count also as Horse and Musket?) and I am now starting to collect the French Revolution. Both last ranges in 28mm.

I love the Horse and Musket period for it’s colour, but different tactics in each subperiod. Some pictures of our games can be seen at http://www.aldegarde.blogspot.com .

 

[Goldwyrm]

I was a skirmish wargamer for such a long time, but about 5 years ago came around to horse and musket, with that being primarily SYW or Imaginations. Lots of eye candy in The Wargame and other books of my youth that I was hoping to emulate.

I do enjoy the variety that SYW has to offer. It’s a global conflict and the upside is so many nations can be selected to model armies around. I’m slowly enjoying the history when I set aside reading time. While my current painted collection of the past 5 years has Prussians, Austrians, and Saxons I’m looking to add in the next 5 years East Indians, British, French, and Hanoverians. Also on the backburner is F&IW figures, but I prefer large battles these days with lots of units and linear warfare. Rules I play currently are OGABAS and Black Powder with LAoK supplement.

Next on my radar is AWI.

 

 

 

 

[Richard Ansell]

As a child I had umpteen books on soldiers and uniforms, but I can remember being drawn to the illustrations with redcoats and tricornes. Then I saw “Barry Lyndon”…

The mid 18th C. is one of my favourite periods. I’m not much of a wargamer, but the uniforms and equipment fascinate me along with the general history. Something about the style of the uniforms of this time pleases me (although the Prussians came along and ruined the generous cut and things were never quite the same again!)

[Buff Orpington]

I can blame Henry for all of this but that would be churlish as I’m the proud owner of a unique set of standards and guidons  that he created for my Imagi-nations army. Once in I was rapidly drawn to F&IW as a doable skirmish theatre.

I thought about the campaigns in India for the reasons given above but after discussing the idea I realised that many of the battles were more down to bribery and intrigue than military genius. That won’t stop rockets and camel gunners appearing in by Imagi-nations army at some stage.

[Cameronian]

1700 – 1756, just so much more attractive.

'The time has come" The walrus said. "To talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--Of cabbages--and kings--And why the sea is boiling hot--And whether pigs have wings."

[Truscott Trotter]

Is that cos you don’t like facial hair George or is there a particular campaign you enjoy?

 

[Rick Inhoff]

I got interested in the period because the forces seemed so similar to each other that the deciding factors were the maneuvers of the generals. The strategic problems were what grabbed me. But somewhere along the line: I bumped into the miniature world so now the little troops in their lines with their banners amuse me.

[warren coleman]

I like the Nine Years War or War of the League of Augsburg as it was also known.  I like the mix of uniforms in any given army, the use of pike and the linear tactics but it’s mainly the uniforms!

I am currently paining up armies for this war using the wonderful Pendraken 10mm LoA range, check them out they are great!

[Henry Hyde]

warren coleman wrote:

I am currently paining up armies for this war using the wonderful Pendraken 10mm LoA range, check them out they are great!

I have to say that when Leon sent me some samples, I had a real ‘wobble’ and had to remind myself of the terrible state that having too many butterfly projects had already got me into! They are indeed marvellous little sculpts.

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[warren coleman]

Henry, I know what you mean.  I am fortunate that at present I work overseas so get long lonely nights away from the family to paint.

So 10mm LoA and 15mm Ancient Persians are my main focus on this trip.  The LoA is a relatively new project about 8 infantry regiments, 2 dismounted dragoon regiments and 3 cavalry regiments painted so far.  I have to do both sides as no one at my club is doing 10mm.

The Persians are an old FOG project I am finishing off.

PS love your magazine!

[Jeremy Sutcliffe]

For reasons that escape me I decided to “do” Malburian in 10mm as the more I paint up the more I wonder how different it  is going to be from 7YW especially as I’ll still be using Black Powder (although I have found a WSS refinement)

BP “Standard Unit” based as follows: 6 figures in 2 ranks on 30mm x 15mm bases, four bases to the unit. Thats the same area as my 7W units but double ranked for mass effect.

I painted the French with some enthusiasm. I’ve lost my way a bit with the British.

 

[Will McNally]

It has to be the SYW, because way-way back I read Charge by Peter Young and The wargame by Charles Grant. When the first Airfix AWI figures appeared so did my Frundsbergers, but then with University and other things they languished until a few years back when the were rediscovered in a corner of my parents attic, and they now encompass all the “major” wars of the C18 with contingents from the WSS through to the French Revolution.

Must admit the fellows have been a bit neglected of late

http://frundsbergfs.blogspot.co.uk/

[Loyalhanna]

I am interested in the FIW,SYW, and AWI. Each is unique unto itself. The FIW lends itself well to skirmish and small battles. You have the gambit of troop types from regulars, provincials, militia, Indians, and civilians. The terrain is awesome to game in and forts and stockades are nice added items. Plus it helps when you were born ,raised, and live where all this took place. The SYW has all the color one would want for uniforms(even pink!). Troop types abound and it is small enough that you could field an entire army or wing. The AWI is another favorite for colors and troop types and through in the Indians as well. Cav and artillery do not dominate unless your at Yorktown. It is also small enough to collect entire armies. I have Cornwallis’ entire army at Yorktown in 15mm plus Clinton’s relief force painted and ready for action. I still have to finish my Continentals and start my French. That about does it.

[Neil Scott]

For me it is the Marlburian period. It was my first proper wargaming period as a youngster and I’ve been hooked ever since. Always adding to my 15mm collection. I have even had the good fortune to be involved in re-fights of Blenhiem and Ramillies, looking like Oudenarde next year as well. To me it was a period that saw the emergence of the British redcoat in European affairs

Double six! I need a double six

[Frog]

For me it’s the AWI and The ’45.

 

My lifelong interest in the AWI started at the age of 7 or 8 the first time I was taken to see Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill, and the USS Constitution, courtesy of my grandfather. Having a family connection (i.e. ancestors that fought in it) helps as well.

 

For The ’45 it’s all about family. If my great, great, etc., etc. grandfather hadn’t been standing on the wrong side of the field at Culloden he wouldn’t have been sentenced to that most horrible of fates – transportation to the colonies!

Bunch of monkeys on your ceiling, sir!

[Anonymous]

I have F+I war in 28mm, Marlborough in 15mm. I’m looking at AWI or SYW in 10mm. However I’m still looking for a set of rules I’m happy with. I’ve tried M+T while I enjoyed them and will use them again, I’ll still be on the look out for a set for larger unit sizes. Played a Black Powder game with the 15mm’s last Sunday but they didn’t seem to have the right “feel”,funnily enough they worked great in a mini campaign in the Sudan.

[willz]

My favorite era is 1720 – 1760, the different styles of uniforms are fantastic.

 

The pictures are figures by Crann Tara 28mm miniatures Royal ecossais infantry and French artillery  (Click on picture to enlarge)

[Frog]

Nice looking figures!

 

Does the Crann Tara Royal Ecossais command pack consist of two standard bearers, one drummer, and one officer or is it only one standard bearer per?

Bunch of monkeys on your ceiling, sir!

[willz]

Frog asked about the Crann Tara command packs.

They come with 2 standard bearers, 1 drummer and 1 officer, however if you contact him via email he is very accommodating and will build up your forces to your requirements.

 

[Patrice]

The WSS / Marlburian.

…Um, in fact I prefer the 1690s (League of Augsburg) which technically is 17th century, but you cant’ have a game without someone bringing miniatures in perfect tricorns so I must say I like the WSS too.

(I game skirmish, often with privateers/pirates etc included).

http://www.argad-bzh.fr/argad/en.html
https://www.anargader.net/

[Count Belisarius]

Well, figured it was about time I posted here and this seems a good place to start!

I came late to the C18th and never gamed the period when I first started. My main interests then were Ancients (mostly Punic War) and Napoleonics (though I never really ever acquired large armies!).  I came to the C18th about 14-15 years ago when two of the guys on the excavations I was working on turned out to be wargamers and by consensus we agreed on AWI in 15mm as a joint period. I now have armies for both sides and a decent library on the war. I’ve always wanted to do Great Northern War since reading Voltaire but have yet to achieve that one!

‘Proper’ C18th, in terms of Old Schooly Sever Year War stuff only came a few years ago with the first Ayton game and that kick started my 28/30mm SYW ImagiNation forces (so it’s all Henry’s fault!). Although growing slowly I have quite a lead pile to complete for this and to be honest it is becoming my main period. Inevitably I’ve done the reading and spent a small fortune on books and the period has now firmly taken hold although I’ve yet to paint any ‘real’ units!

I have to admit the AWI is still my favourite ‘period’ and I’ll be adding to my 15mm armies at some point but 28mm Imagi is a close second!

 

Andy

 

 

My Blog: Another Slight Diversion

[Henry Hyde]

Count Belisarius wrote:

I’ve always wanted to do Great Northern War since reading Voltaire but have yet to achieve that one! ‘Proper’ C18th, in terms of Old Schooly Sever Year War stuff only came a few years ago with the first Ayton game and that kick started my 28/30mm SYW ImagiNation forces (so it’s all Henry’s fault!). Although growing slowly I have quite a lead pile to complete for this and to be honest it is becoming my main period. Inevitably I’ve done the reading and spent a small fortune on books and the period has now firmly taken hold although I’ve yet to paint any ‘real’ units!

Welcome Andy, but don’t blame me — with an imagination (pardon the unavoidable pun) like yours, you need no help from me! Your Savage Swans are a thing of beauty.

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[Buff Orpington]

Not Connard Sage wrote:

Then there was Vauban and his military engineering. 

Objects of beauty in their own right.

 

[repiqueone]

I’ve been in wargaming for quite a while, and have bought and sold many a wargame army in a number of scales and periods, but now I have successfully focused my efforts in just a few areas.  Foremost among them is the WSS and GNW.

I love the clarity of the area in its strategic and political goals, the essential balance between the armies, and, even more so, the balance of capabilities between the horse, artillery, and infantry.  The transitional period provides both frustrating restrictions and interesting challenges for rules and game play.  The uniforms, though simpler, are very colorful, as are the flags!

I am also attracted by the truly wonderful quality of the available figures, especially those from Ebor, Front Rank, and  Warfare Miniatures.   My WSS armies now total over 1200 28mm figures that I game with, along with a half dozen friends, about once a month.   It is great fun.  It is a wonderful period which fits the necessary artificialities of the tabletop miniature wargame very well.

I also look forward to great discussions here and applaud everyone that started this site and its forums.

[Guy Barlow]

European SYW and WAS although I am detouring into the ’45 due to the Crann Tara figure range. I would echo many of the comments/reasons given above but I would also say that over the last say 10-15 years, the mid 18th century does seem to engender some fascinating online blogs/commentary and this has been a great encouragement for me.  The Minden range of figures has also ticked all the boxes for me. So when I started wargaming/collecting properly 40 odd years ago, I was slavishly copying Peter Gilder’s Napoleonic set up. Now I am influenced by the blogs of Jim Purky and John Ray.

regards,

Guy

[melvyn Jenkins-Welch]

I too blame that man Mr Hyde for my interest in this period. I’ve got enough plastic spencer smiths to do decent armies for the AWI and because I’m not a button counter I am happy to use the French and British for the SYW or FIW as well.

The real problem I have is resisting the urge to get just a ” couple of boxes” of the Perry AWI miniatures to “see how they paint”. Does anyone know how they match up in height with SS?

[Iain Burt]

Tricorns………and thigh length gaiters, baggy coats and lace. And floppy hats as well, so late 17thC is just great.

Iain

 

[Ben Waterhouse]

Honorary 18th century! The war of the English Succession 1685 – 1715… Mainly because of the history, the uniforms and most importantly periwigs.

[Adam Hayes]

My oldest attraction in 18th C. warfare was the Indian armies, brought to life by a series of articles in some of the earliest issues of Miniature Wargames.  My first armies were Spencer Smith plastic figures painted up as Austrians and Reichsarmee after I had read Duffy’s ” The Army of Maria Theresa.” Managed to get to do Indians later once the Foundry Sikh Wars figurea appeared and provided perfect cavalry. Still probably  my favourite altough I have now further expanded into late 17th C. War of the Grand Alliance (it’s all tricorny) which is fun too.

[Author]

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