1st September, Peterborough

 

A very busy September started with an enjoyable day just up the road in the company of Peterborough Wargames Club at Hereward.

This has become a regular outing for us and is a show that retains all the appeal of a traditional local show - organised primarily as a local club's open day.  In theory it's also a good opportunity for Northamptonshire Battlefields Society to meet and engage local people with local battlefields (although as Edgcote is our theme battle this year, 'local' is always relative: Peterbrough is just over the county line at one end of Northamptonshire and Edgcote is some 70 miles away, just inside the line at the other end).

The reality, of course, is that battles and campaigns aren't just confined to single spaces, and the Northmen at Edgcote in 1469 almost certainly came from Doncaster by the Great North Road via Stamford and the second rebellion (1470) was centred on the East Midlands and culminated at Losecote Field less than 20 miles up the road.  It's a local story.

 

(NBS volunteer, Paul, tells the Edgcote story)

 

(Northamptonshire Battlefields Society: medieval weapons and armour)

Edgcote Pictures

 

(Edgcote 1469: Robin of Redesdale takes up position on the East Hill overlooking Danesmoor)

 

Edgcote 1469: the earl of Pembroke's army was stationed on the West Hill)

 

(At some point during the battle or the build up, the earl of Devon leaves with his archers)

 

(harrassed by Robin's archers, Pembroke has no choice other than to attack across the small river)

 

The Show

The rest of the show had a good mix of attractions, a 'flea market' style bring-and-buy with good prices (happy punters and happy sellers - so that obviously works), bacon butties, a good mix of participation games (which are prioritised) and show games ... Dave Lanchester selling books ... Harry Sidebottom signing books ... 

And there's always the chance to try the NBS weapons for size ...

 

(Hereward 2019: on the NBS stand)

 

(Hereward 2019: Whacky Races)

 

(Hereward 2019: good looking and interesting games all round as usual)

At this show we had enough people to run the game with a couple of lads who would otherwise have been playing fantasy.  They picked up the basics of Hail Caesar quite quickly, commanding Robin and the reinforcements.  Paul too Pembroke's role and attacked with complete confidence.

Mirroring history, it all went horribly wrong - although in this battle, the rebels didn't allow the Herberts to try appealing for clemency a day or two later (with Warwick in Northampton): no, their heads were lopped off on the battlefield.

Warwick, of course, was never Mr Clemency, so the outcome was the same.

A great little show.  It should be on your list.

September 2nd, Peterborough

Peterborough Wargames Show: Hereward 2018

We really enjoyed this show last year and were pleased to be invited again.   The Peterborough Club have contributed a number of innovative participation games over the years and have a nice little regional show on their hands.

They had a no-show on the day, plus, for my preferences, a 10 or 15mm figure trader would be a bonus ... then again, the guy selling brushes was an unexpected addition and I filled a number of upcoming requirements at his stand.

We were there as the Society of Ancients and Northampton Battlefields Society and we took along the participation version of the Northampton 1460 game.

(Northampton 1460 on the NBS stand at Hereward 2018)

We spend a good part of the day meeting wargamers and family visitors, explaining medieval battle, weapons and equipment, and encouraging (the youngsters, at least) to try the weapons for size ..

(Hereward 2018: Northampton 1460, weapons and armour, battlefield publications)

It is all part of our project to raise the profile of ancient and medieval warfare and awareness our local battlefields.  People are always very interested and supportive.  Like the problems at Bosworth, however, they are not always aware of the issues.  The news agenda is not controlled by historians and heritage activists (or by ordinary people at all) - so people only tend to be most aware of what the media chooses to put before them.  This is often very partisan and not at all reflective of people's real interests and concerns.

(.. don't call me pig face'.   Trying on helmets is always popular)

In addition to 1460, there were a good number of other ancient and medieval games, mostly participation.

(a participation game of getting the fragments of the Ninth Legion back up the road to Longthorpe)

(the battle of Hegerley Moor using Peter Pig's bloody Barons)

(Playmobil longships participation game)

... and ... drawing a lot of attention ...

This was a 54mm Big Battle DBA Punic Wars battle which I think went to Salute a few years back ...  anyway, it was good to see it again and kept a lot of players engaged during the afternoon.  Good also to see a DBA participation game at a show.

... and the big figures ...

(eye-level with the 1:32 plastic warriors ... Punic Wars DBA at Hereward)

... so a big thumbs up to the Huntingdon Club for this one.

In addition to the ancient and medieval games, there were one or two there things to look at, a fair few traders (including the brushes guy) ... and Harry Sidebottom was signing copies of his latest book.

All in all a pleasant day out and just a short distance up the road for us.  Given it looks like nothing is happening at Bruntingthorpe, this is now our local show.   Please look out for it next year on the first weekend of September.  

I guess it is now officially Autumn.  It used to be a season of wargame shows but with Colours shrunk and Derby gone, we'll mostly be out and about supporting the DBA League.

4th September, Peterborough

Our main September show this year was Hereward in Peterborough.

We attended as Northampton Battlefields Society with the game and the kit and our publications.

Hereward is very much a traditional local show with plenty of time to chat, browse and sit down and play.  All very good.

Not much in the way of historical 'not 28' so not much to detain me and again not all my cash was needed (no need to fret though - pleny will be spent online ... ) ...

 

 

After a leisurely start we got quite few games played and some happy fellow enthusiasts equiped themselves to explore the battle of Northampton at home ...

 

 

Hereward had a very relaxed and friendly feel and attracted the whole family.  People enjoyed trying out the equipment and handling knightly weapons.

 

 

These  musket balls were found by a local metal detectorist.  They are 17th Century though, inevitably the location was not properly recorded ... the best we can say is '17th Century, Northamptonshire - thought to be Civil War, probably from Naseby' - useful handling exhibits.

 

 (17th Century Musket and Pistol balls: thought to be Civil War, probably from Naseby)

The standard of games around the show was very good.

 

Oppy Wood was amongst the best of them and won a prize ... an attractive and well though out display.

 

 (Hereward 2017: Oppy Wood game and historical display)

 

I keep promising to update you on the new supporting publications for Medieval enthusiasts.  Maybe the will be the next post.

Meanwhile, Nathaniel Wade continues to watch over us.  Ours for a year - presented by the Guild of Battlefield Guides for our work at Northampton Battlefield.  Previous winners include TV companies and the Belgian Tourist Office.  So good company to be in.

We have to give him back in January ... but at least he is much travelled with us.

Peterborough Wargames Club

Northampton Battlefields Society

The International Guild of Battlefield Guides