16th September, Norwich

EASTERN FRONT

A beautiful late (Indian) Summer's day saw me driving round in circles in Norwich before bungling into St. Andrews half an hour late.    I found the venue very easily last year, but discovered the penalties of complacency, this: getting straight there last year had been luck not judgement.

(the main hall at Eastern Front)

The wargaming community is nothing if not forgiving and flexible, of course, and we quickly got things back on track (and so the DBA Challenge started at 11.00, not 10.30).

(games and societies at Eastern Front 2012)

Eastern Front is a delightful show in a beautiful regional English city.  The venue is an East Anglian jewel, and you really must visit some time.

(one of the splendid ancient/medieval games at Eastern Front - click on the images to enlarge)

I have appended one of two views of an excellent collection of display and participation games to be found in the main hall - though, inevitably, I spent most of my day in the second hall, Blackfriars, where you would have found the Societies, the DBA and the Bring and Buy.

(what the Society of Ancients was doing at the show)

THE EAST OF ENGLAND DBA CHALLENGE

The DBA Challenge was open to Dark Age armies with a Dux Brittanniae award to the top army which actually fought in England in the 410 to 1066 period.   The duke's award would go to the second placed player if the Champion also qualified.  There was a top newcomer award likewise applied.

(the East of England DBA Challenge)

Sign in and play on the day, we got 7 players involved, which, though modest, I think marks a good starting point and provided us with good natured entertainment all day with comfortable breaks for shopping and lunch.

(Vikings deploying opposite the Anglo-Saxon defenders)

I took along 4 'loaner' armies to back up those who were bringing their own.   Courtesy of the seventh players joining in late on, all these armies got used during the day which was nice.

(my Anglo-Saxons .. New Era Donnington with Gladiator, Chariot, Essex and Lurkio mixed in)

However the main armies used were (III/51) Norman; (III/40) Norse Viking; (II/81) Sub Roman British; (III/24) Middle Anglo Saxon; (II/67) Ostrogothic and (II/71) Gepid.

(Nick's Sub Roman British ... Donnington originals, I believe)

To simplify play and present an authentic challenge we had a choice of fixed boards, with players dicing for sides then rolling aggression to determine the deployment/game start order.   It seemed to work quite well, and meant my felt allergy was not triggered by patches or garish fabric.

(the British are attacked by Norse Viking)

Many of the players were new to tournament play - even relatively new to DBA - so it was a good chance for people to get the rhythms of the game.  As usual when I 'umpire/run' event, I took along the Wadbag bible.   As usual, it wasn't necessary to open it, and the battles went smoothly.

(Generals in personal combat: Duke William takes on the Goths)

Despite a heavy loss to my Anglo-Saxons (Duke William unceremoniously 'mugged' by hard-charging Anglisch spearmen - a 'recoil the support either side and get the guy in the middle' revenge attack for Senlac!) ... the Normans proved the most powerful and versatile army and Richard deservedly won the Challenge.

(two more of the loaner armies I took: Sub-Roma British and Ostrogothic)

A clear Dux Brittanniae title went to Paul's Vikings, just pipping Nick, whose Sub Roman British were the best newcomers.

(those top newcomers consider moving down off their hill)

We reorganised the final round in order to involve a father and son combination in the games and give them a flavour of DBA's quick but engaging take on ancient and medieval warfare. 

(East of England Challenge: Normans clash with British)

Pleasingly, everyone else finished level with one win and one general killed.   Count back would have been 'the game between the players' but with the podium places/special titles awarded, we were happy to leave the remaining players on equal honours.

(Armies arrayed: the Gepids - Essex commanders, mostly Lurkio and Chariot cavalry behind Chariot infantry)

This was a lot of fun, and well worth the effort, I think.   Watch out for news of Norwich next year: if all things stay similar, I would be more than happy to run this again (and with a little more notice and publicity, maybe more of you will want to make the trip east and join in ..)..

(a new Dux Brittanniae 'Barker Marker' I made up for the event)

(I may have to keep this clear of prising fingers: it has an obvious 'sub-text'!)

Society of Ancients UK DBA League Pages

See the Shows North stand next at Derby where we will be running games of Call it Qids, a simple participation game based on Ramesses's exploits at the battle of Kadesh.

Eastern Front News

The Shows North team will be at Eastern Front in Norwich tomorrow.  Please come along and get involved.   We will be hosting a low intensity DBA event which you can join in on the the day.  Bring your own army or borrow one of ours.   

Join in for as many games as you like (no obligation to stay for the finals).  No fees (other than entry to the show)

East of England DBA Challenge 2012

After consultation with 'the management', we have the following format for those who would like to play.

Please check in at the Society of Ancients stand (i.e. see Phil ... ) ASAP when the show opens at 10am.   We encourage entry on the day (no need to have pre-booked), and there is no entry fee other than for the show.  Players will play 2 or more timed 'pool' games in the morning session to qualify for the final rounds in the afternoon. 

Bring your own army in 15mm, any valid army is allowed from AD 410 to AD 1066*. No terrain required. One list (all elements must be selected in advance for the event), normal dismounting rules etc. apply. Armies that actually fought in Britannia within the period also qualify for the 'Dux Britanniae' award.

 Some Loan armies will be available.   We intend to run a plate competition if there is support ...

*per DBA version 2.2

21st August, Norwich

Apologies to those of you who got the garbled first version of the Britcon update (no idea why Blogger doesn't work properly in Firefox at this time of year - but I had the same problems in 2010, that's for sure). There was quite a lengthy excursus advising Nobby how best to develop Britcon, too ... very useful, but not necessarily 'core' interest :)

So to bring Ancients on the Move fully up-to-date, this entry will show you what Eastern Front was like ... a great little show in East Anglia.

You really ought to mark it in your diaries for next year. Excellent venue, friendly people ... even a sunny day! And nowhere near as far as internet routeplanners would have you believe (they allow for the traffic problems you are unlikely to encounter on a Sunday morning): ignore the timing, look more to the mileage as your guide.

Lenghty intro? OK - I'll load up the pictures ....
(not your average village hall ... 'well lit, with a big window' ...)

(a choice of games on the stand with a DBA theme)

(some punters playing 'Britannia's Eastern Front': DBA Sub Roman British block a English raid in East Anglia)

(Tony and Phil man the stand while I go off on my photo break)

(that boat load of English ... 'Saxons' in DBA speak, but out East here, they would be Angles - 'Aengelfolk')

(the Romano-British foot making up the bulk of Arthur's army)

(this tank game looked great fun and kept loads of youngsters entertained)

(I was really impressed with this huge 10mm Bull Run ACW game: a bit big for my tastes, but a great sense of place)

(Yep: seriously, those are 10mm figures - click on the picture for a proper sized image and enjoy the craftsmanship)

Great, wasn't it?

Thanks to Kim at Monarch Books for hosting the event, and thanks for those of you who stopped by to make us feel welcome.

Thanks to Tony and Phil for helping with the stand (really valued as I would have been on my own for this one otherwise). Canvassing for views at the show, several locals indicated that they would be interested in the DBA mini-event we didn't quite get off the ground this year ...

Watch this space.

Come see us at Partizan and the SoA Doubles over the weekend ...