8th March, Wolverhampton

Alumwell's 2015 Show

Sunday saw the West Midlands show at the familiar Aldersley venue - and a busy and enjoyable day it was ...

I took along a Basic Impetus version of the 1214 Battle of Bouvines (one of the most important battles in English history ... but less well known than many) ...

The battle was presented in glorious 15mm on the adaptable ceiling tile terrain layout that I use for short projects.

Bouvines was the key battle on the Magna Carta timeline: the culmination of a generation's worth of diplomatic work to strangle the French in a combined campaign from England, Flanders and the Empire.   

(the flower of chivalry line up on the open ground North-East of Bouvines)

(the game in play ... with markers showing the current VBU of affected units)

The French army was caught crossing the river Marque at Bouvines and found itself trapped against the marshy river by a peremptory allied attack.   This might potentially have caught the French in some disarray but, in fact, Philippe's army was able to get into battle order very efficiently - particularly the hard pressed battle under the Duke of Burgundy.

(French baggage slowly negotiates the passage over the Marque)

The emphatic nature of the French victory at Bouvines doubtless diminished King John in the eyes of his barons, and left Philippe strong enough to support the baron's rebellion with an army under his son prince Louis.

It is almost certainly a direct consequence of this battle that King John found himself obliged to put his seal to Magna Carta in 1215.

I will post more about recreating the epoch making battle of Bouvines in a future post.

Many thanks to the visitors and enthusiasts who joined in the game or discussed the battle during the day.  It was great to meet you all.

Our pitch at WMMS was again next to the Lance & Longbow Society who had a splendid participation table of the Medieval Baltic demonstrating Lion Rampant.

The game was particularly note worthy for its atmospheric glittering snowscapes ...

(the Lance & Longbow Society's Lion Rampant game)

Had I not been manning the Bouvines game I would have been keen to give this one a try.

Another great ancients game, this time WRG 6th edition (old soldiers never die) from the Border Reivers on beautifully sculpted terrain boards ...

Another busy day, but I got pictures of a few more games (not really ancient/medieval, but here's a collage) ...

... and if that wasn't enough to keep people browsing, there are always living history groups and a well supported modelling display.

And I liked the Anglo-Sikh game ...

Well - plus the shopping, that's an enjoyable day out for any enthusiast ...

As last year, someone foolishly set off the fire alarm which meant evacuating the building for a few minutes ... I think some visitors took that as their cue to go home as, post interruption, the show didn't quite resume its previous activity level (and quietly tailed off to home time) ...

Everyone I spoke to seemed to have had a good day, however ...