Battle of Dunnichen at Hammerhead Show

[James Morris]

The Hammerhead wargames show is being held on Saturday 5th March at Newark Showground, UK, and, as usual, I’ve been busy preparing a game for the day. Hammerhead is unique for the UK in that every single game in the show is a participation game; it’s an inclusive and rather wonderful opportunity to go and try out new systems or learn existing ones from experienced gamers. The last Hammerhead (March 2020) was the final show before Covid hit the UK so this one will undoubtedly be something special.

I’ve been busy developing my own Midgard rules which we’re going to be using for the game at the show. Midgard is probably best described as a ‘narrative heroic battle’ game, in which tactics are important but the mighty deeds of heroes make the difference between victory and defeat. Using it, we have played games ranging from Greek mythology, Tolkien-based Middle-earth and the Wars of the Roses, but it’s absolutely ideal for this period of the Dark Ages where individual leaders could – and did – lead by example and reputation.

Which conveniently brings us on to this year’s game. It’s based on the Battle of Dunnichen (also known as Nechtansmere) that occurred on May 20th, 685 CE. The simple facts are that Ecgfrith, King of Northumbria, took a raiding party into Pictish territory and was slain by the Pictish forces of his cousin, Bridei mac Bili. The details of exactly what happened have been hypothesised by many researchers and historians – was it a Pictish ambush or did the Saxons seek battle? Does the mysterious Aberlemno stone depict a Biblical event, or does it show Pictish spearmen defeating Northumbrian mounted warriors in this historic battle? Much ink (and ale) have been spilled debating these very issues, and more than one range of miniature Picts has been based on the carvings shown here, some of which you will see in the armies in play.

Here's some selected pics from the preparation for the game.  Full details are on the blog here: https://mogsymakes.net/2022/02/28/hammerhead-preview-the-battle-of-dunnichen-685-ce/  and feel free to drop in if you're at Hammerhead this weekend!

[Atheling]

It looks like I'm going to miss something really special James 

Please, please take a pile of pictures 

[has.been]

I look forward to seeing it in 'the flesh'.

[Rick F]

I'll definitely come and take a look, it's going to attract a lot of people.

[rumacara]

Looking forward for this. And James Fraser book is great.

[James Morris]

It looks like I'm going to miss something really special James 

Please, please take a pile of pictures 

Will do!  Check your post (if you can), sent something for you for tomorrow.  Hang in there.

[Wilgut Spleens]

Fantastic James! I wish I could come along, maybe next time. Good luck, I hope it goes well