Thank you, whoever you are.

[fsn]

Gentlemen of the Forum,

I have, not for the first time, been the target of unwarranted kindness.

Return home last night, I had two packages.

The first was from Techno - for which many thanks. Made me smile.  

The other was from Pendraken. Since I was expecting a package of bases, its small size was something of a disappointment. However, imagine my surprise in finding it contained a set of flags for Flodden. My first thought was naturally that the Dark Lord was using his eldritch powers to divine and preempt my purchasing. However my supplication to his Saturnine Majesty speedily disabused me of the notion.

Apparently, some kind member of the forum is tipping me towards my next project. For that, anonymous Sir, I thank you. I am touched.

Flodden is going to be my next campaign. I'm at the research phase and both enjoying the study and downcast by the result. The bright side is, of course, that I can perhaps redress the balance on the table.

The paraphrase Jimmy Durante: thank you kind Sir, wherever you are. 



 

 

[Techno]

Hi Nobby....

Glad you liked the McKilty clan, Matey.

Cheers - Phil

[Leman]

There really are some marvellous folk on the forum. Here's an idea for you Nobby; you could always build a French army as well and stage the other part of the campaign, i.e. Henry's invasion of France. This provides the opportunity for lots of gendarmes and Henry's use of landsknechts. Just a thought.

[fsn]

Glad you liked the McKilty clan, Matey.

There really are some marvellous folk on the forum. Here's an idea for you Nobby; you could always build a French army as well and stage the other part of the campaign, i.e. Henry's invasion of France. This provides the opportunity for lots of gendarmes and Henry's use of landsknechts. Just a thought.

Get thee behind me, Leman. After Flodden, I'm thinking about the Covenanters.

[d_Guy]

Here is a group of Flodden enthusiasts, https://m.facebook.com/Flodden1513/
Perhaps they heard of your budding interest and struck unexpectedly like the Spanish Inquisition?

Btw - I STILL can't find the bag of bl**dy oxen to photograph.

Leman - I like the idea of doing Henry's portion of 1513 - have a couple bags of landsknechts - likely with the oxen.

[fsn]

You're a feeder d_Guy! 

I'm up that way next this month. May pop over and see what's what. 

All in the interests of research!

[Leman]

It really is a superb battlefield to visit. It is extremely well preserved, with a self-guided walking route around the main part of the actual battlefield. However the battlefield is on Branxton hill. Flodden hill is a little further south and it is possible to walk around to the SE side of it to find the original site of the Scottish gun platforms, as James believed the English army would attack his uphill entrenched army. Luckily Surrey and the Admiral were able to see 'it's a trap!' (shamelessly copied by George Lucas in Star Wars E6) close to the gun platforms you can also find the well which servicesed the Scottish camp. Back in Branxton, the muddy ditch at the foot of the hill. where James died, is still very much there.

This gives a good impression of the steepness of Branxton Hill


Typical info board on the self-guided tour


The muddy dip at the bottom of the hill where James died; Scots to the left and English to the right


An exhibit in Etal Castle, about two miles from the battlefield

[d_Guy]

Thanks, Leman, interesting stuff. The Two Men in a Trench vid is useful as well. It was in a dry season and,iirc, the trench area appeared dry but after trodding over it a few times, people started breaking through into mud. They conjectured that the leading rank of the Scottish pikes got across then everything collapsed - treacherous ground.

[Techno]

Nice pics, Andy.

That's not giant hogweed on the right of the third  pic, is it ? 

Cheers - Phil

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

That's not giant hogweed on the right of the third  pic, is it ?  :-

Cheers - Phil

Na  a Triffid, thought they wuz native to Sarth Wales !

[Leman]

Nope, just your common or garden hedgerow stuff.