Guy Halsall Wargames Illustrated Post Roman Britain

[WorkShy]

For the Post-Roman or Dark Age period, wargaming lists seem often an attempt to create differentiation between factions that probably didn't exist.

Take the idea used now in some army lists that the early Saxons in post-Roman Britan had a more fluid, dynamic form of combat than prior to that period or after that period (shieldwall etc). That idea seems to stems from the evidence that they used very small round shields (35-45cm). When you actually read the papers, you find that idea doesn't hold up (the sizes were minimums based on bosses). Nonetheless, any bit of differentiation is often welcomed in army lists. The Romano-British had shieldwalls but those early Saxons rushed around like loons with small bucklers throwing angons! Rather unlikely I suspect. 

[OB]

If I recall right it was the shape of the boss with its protruding blunt stem that fuelled that theory rather than just shield size.

[March Hare]

"If I recall right it was the shape of the boss with its protruding blunt stem that fuelled that theory rather than just shield size"

That does seem to be one of the arguments in what I have been reading.

Picked up the Victrix Late Roman Armoured Cavalry. Nice models.

Also starting to peruse some rule sets. Have Dux Bellorum, WAB Age of Arthur and Wargaming in History: Romans, Goths, and Huns that was recommended in the Halsall articles. Will probably pick up Saga Age of Invasions too. Other recommendations would be appreciated. I am a bit of a rules hoarder.

[OB]

https://www.wfgamers.org.uk/andy-callans-articles/white-steeds-and-seax

One for your collection.  It's a free Andy "Billhooks" Callan download.  I have not played it but it looks interesting.

[macsen wledig]

"If I recall right it was the shape of the boss with its protruding blunt stem that fuelled that theory rather than just shield size"

That does seem to be one of the arguments in what I have been reading.

Picked up the Victrix Late Roman Armoured Cavalry. Nice models.

Also starting to peruse some rule sets. Have Dux Bellorum, WAB Age of Arthur and Wargaming in History: Romans, Goths, and Huns that was recommended in the Halsall articles. Will probably pick up Saga Age of Invasions too. Other recommendations would be appreciated. I am a bit of a rules hoarder.

me too

anything by Simon MacDowall is worth a good look and half of them are freebies

the original Glutter of Ravens (which has been rereleased with a small update) by Dan Mersey is a really good reference book and ruleset in one

[March Hare]

Nice I have been looking for Glutter of Ravens set. Didn't realize there was a new edition. Ordered.

I will print out a copy of the freebie too. Will be interesting to compare with the other set I have by MacDowell. Can't beat the price either.

[NTM]

I'm going with another Dan Mersey set A Song of Arthur and Merlin (variant of the Ganesha Games system)

[March Hare]

He wrote that too? That may be a good place to start. You don't need many figures to play that right? Like five or six figures a side?

[macsen wledig]

Nice I have been looking for Glutter of Ravens set. Didn't realize there was a new edition. Ordered.

I will print out a copy of the freebie too. Will be interesting to compare with the other set I have by MacDowell. Can't beat the price either.

Glutter of Ravens is a really really good alround set of rules and super background info. Simon MacDowall's rules are great free or non free

[NTM]

He wrote that too? That may be a good place to start. You don't need many figures to play that right? Like five or six figures a side?

That's exactly why I got it, the Romano-British war and I'm building is 10 figures but could be fewer with more armoured warriors. Haven't planned the Saxons fully but should be 7 or 8.

[March Hare]

I got the Song of Arthur and Merlin rules. Now I need to locate some plastic 28mm fantasy figures that match up with the detail on the Victrix figures. Haven't had all that much luck so far. I have been trying to find some to use with Blood Eagle. Nothing quite matches (in my purely subjective opinion, of course). My gamer OCD reaches fantastical heights when trying to match figures. I have all kinds of absurd rules.

[March Hare]

Anyone have any recommendations for replacement horses for the Victrix Late Romans?

Even given that horses were smaller then, they seem undersized. The ones where the legs are stretched out create the illusion of a larger horse, but the ones with the legs pulled in look too small to my eyes. Some of the Roman cavalry seem to have the same problem.

[Mikai]

I have at least the illusion that the Victrix Gallic Horses are a tiny little bit bigger. Might not be enough for you though. The saddles are the same, so no problem at that.

[March Hare]

Thanks I will take a look at those.