They Died for Glory: Rules flip-through and Review

They Died for Glory is a set of rules written specifically for wargaming the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. This turning point in the development of modern warfare can be dramatically recreated on the game table with this easy-to-learn ruleset. Designed for 15mm figures the rules can accommodate larger or smaller scales and make refighting huge battles possible for any wargamer.

Embracing Defeat: How to stop worrying and love the game

Defeat is an inevitable part of a competitive hobby like wargaming, but it doesn't have to be a negative experience. Win, lose or draw I enjoy playing with toy soldiers, spending time with my friends and learning new stuff in the process. 

The Battle of Froeschwiller-Worth: Battle Report

A short Battle Report of a recent game set in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. The Battle of Froeschwiller Worth took place on the 6th of August but both sides had been planning and preparing for a battle on the 7th of August. However, forward elements of the Prussian army began to engage the French around Worth and this eventually developed into a full-scale battle, that neither side was wholly prepared for. 

Richard's Battle Report of this game

Ray's Battle Report of this game

My Top 5 Wargaming Disasters

I've been wargaming for a long time, so I have quite a big back catalogue of wargame disasters. These are the sort of games where I made unforced errors leading to defeat or simply where the dice gods abandoned me (sometimes both!).

Life in the Legion: A British Museum special exhibition

Life in the Legion is a new exhibition at the British Museum in London. Life for a soldier in Rome's armies could be hard and dangerous but for many, it offered citizenship and a path to advancement in Roman society. For those that completed their 25-year service, there was even a generous pension worth ten years' salary. 

As usual, I took a lot of photos, as well as filming, so here's a taste of what to expect when you watch the video. As always I'd urge you to visit this in person if you can, my review can only really show part of the collection, and nothing quite replaces seeing these exhibits with the Mark One Eyeball.  

Storing your Armies: The perfect home for your little metal men

How do you store your Armies? Do your Little Metal Men live in cardboard box files, RUB Boxes or metal cabinets? This week I revisit the subject of storage and organisation in your own Operations Room.

Blenheim Palace: A Monument to Victory

Blenheim Palace was built by the 1st Duke of Marlborough following his victory at Blenheim in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession. Built in the short-lived English Baroque style it is now a UNESCO Work Heritage Site and home to the Victory Tapestries. Designed by Lambert de Hondt they commemorate Marlborough's victories at Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenaarde and Malplaquet. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly I took a LOT of pictures as well as video, and most of them couldn't make it into my short film (not without bloating it to 30 minutes +). So here are a few still shots taken during my visit to tempt you. Please check out the video and if you get a chance do visit Blenheim Palace. My pictures and film simply can't do justice to the magnificence of the building and nothing beats seeing these things with the Mk 1 Eyeball. 

Time Tourism: Another Miniature Adventure

Are you a Time Tourist? Not to be confused with temporal tourism (from Doctor Who) time tourism is the pursuit of history away from the library, or wargame table. Shake off the book dust and static grass to explore your own Miniature Adventure. 

Richards Battle reports on his blog: The First Lake Tresimene Battle and the Return Match 

Jonathan's write-up of both games on his blog: Battle of Lake Trasimene and the Second Battle Grudge Match