The Last Kingdom - wargaming late 9th Century England

[Sunray]

I have to say I have enjoyed The Last Kingdom series. Cornwell spins a good yarn, and apart from poor research on the Cornish (Britons ) equipment, the producers have made the adventures Uthred a watchable historical drama.  Some good skirmish scenes on  a modest budget.

If I was tempted into the Dark Ages and forced to leave my BKC rules behind, what is the best rules for this era, and are any figures compatible with Pendraken range ?  Also buildings - those decaying Roman villas look good.     

[Bodvoc]

I am also enjoying the series, although having read the books I do tend to know what is about happen a lot of the time.
I have Saxon, Norman and a growing number of Vikings, mainly Pendraken. You could use Impetus or Hail Caeser  for rules. I have also written my own, easy/fast play rules. PM me your email address if you would like a copy.

[mollinary]

I am also enjoying the series, although having read the books I do tend to know what is about happen a lot of the time.

Wow! I have read the books as well, but have no idea what is about to happen. Not sure if this is my lack of memory, or whether the producers are lifting "cool" story lines from other books.  Wasn't the Cornish episode, and a version of the fight to the death, contained in one of  Cornwell's Arturian books?  Or maybe Cornwell himself was repeating story lines Derfel to Uhtred?   

Mollinary 

PS Still enjoying the series, though.

[Nosher]

Thoroughly enjoying the series and not just because there's feck all else on for a change.

I would encourage you to go the Lion Rampant route using the free Lad wasters and Ravenfeeders supplement. Hack and slash dark ages style.

You could always try SAGA too

[mollinary]

Wow! I have read the books as well, but have no idea what is about to happen. Not sure if this is my lack of memory, or whether the producers are lifting "cool" story lines from other books.  Wasn't the Cornish episode, and a version of the fight to the death, contained in one of  Cornwell's Arturian books?  Or maybe Cornwell himself was repeating story lines Derfel to Uhtred?   

Mollinary 

PS Still enjoying the series, though.

Well, pickle my walnuts as Len Goodman might say!  having just re-read the plotlines of the first two books in the series, I see that the TV Producers are being incredibly faithful to the books, and that all the Cornish stuff is, indeed, in the Pale Horsemen. The fight to the death shouldn't be with Leofwic, but apart from that it is all pretty much as the books go. My only defence is it is years since I read these early books in the series!   

Mollinary

[Leman]

For larger Dark Age Battles my preference is for Dux Bellorum. Although the rules supposedly stop at 799AD I see no reason they cannot extend into the C9th as Vikings are covered in the Sea Raiders army list.

[Steve J]

I too recommend both Dux Bellorum (larger battles) and Lion Rampant (raids/skirmishes).

[Westmarcher]

Following it too - although not as good as Vikings (all 3 series of which I watched within 1 week on Amazon!).  

As for rules, Saga (already mentioned) review here :-
http://daleswargames.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/saga-review-and-test-battle.html

Dux Britanniarum by Too Fat Lardies also gets good reviews - although the period is Romano-British (450-650 AD), I think Dalauppror uses it quite happily for the Viking Age. Here is part 1 of a series of tasters/tutorials by TFL on Youtube and a link to Dalauppror's blog (which has numerous posts on Dux Bellorum, Dux Britanniarum and Saga) .

http://dalauppror.blogspot.se/search/label/Dux%20Britanniarum

These games are Skirmish type games orientated to 28mm figs. but a while back, Leman passed on a brilliant idea for 10mm which involved substituting 1 28mm figure for 3 x 10mm figs. on a penny(?) base.  

[Sunray]

Many thanks to all the Dark Ages fraternity for all the tips.  I have a big Post war battle (based on a former British colony/City State like Gibraltar/Hong Kong) and evil Latin American dictatorship to wage over Christmas.   Its an epic sea/land/air that has busted the budget.  So 2016 before the Dark Ages begin

Is there a good paint guide anywhere for Dark Age battle dress and shield patterns ?

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Like the series and all three sets of rules recommended, although Lion Rampant is set a tad later.

IanS

[Leman]

Indeed I do use 10mm for Dux Britanniarum (and perversely 28mm for Dux Bellorum). Two cavalry on a 2p and three infantry on a 1p (although I put foot command on a 2p to differentiate them).

Britons in Shieldwall




and dispersed using Warbases penny slot skirmish base

[Steve J]

Is there a good paint guide anywhere for Dark Age battle dress and shield patterns ?

I have some info somewhere on Viking colours, but will have to dig it out. As for shield patterns, there are a host of transfer options from the 28mm and 15mm fratenity out there. A quick search on Google will give you plenty of ideas.

[Leman]

You could also look out for a copy of WRGs Dark Age book. There's also the new 'As Told in the Great Hall - The Wargamer's Guide To Dark Age Britain' by Martin Hackett which has a small section on clothing and shield colours.

[FierceKitty]

Second the vote for Heath's book.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Heath's volume is very good, but the illustrations are well out of sync with the text.

IanS