" And Now for Something (almost) Completely Different"........

Why "almost"? Because they are still 3d prints from Potbelly Miniatures

Apart from that one similarity, I have not painted anything of this type for 20+ years I would imagine.

So, without further ado, I give you....

Robert the Bruce and The Black Douglas!

Robert I (1274–1329), known as Robert the Bruce, was King of Scots from 1306 until his death in 1329. A descendant of King David I, he became a leading figure in Scotland’s struggle for independence from England and is remembered as a Scottish national hero.

Initially supporting William Wallace’s campaign, Robert eventually claimed the Scottish throne. Crowned in 1306, he faced English defeats before regrouping and launching a successful guerrilla campaign against English forces.

His greatest victory came at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, where he defeated a much larger English army under Edward II, securing Scotland’s independence in practice.

In 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath affirmed Scotland’s independence. This was recognised by the Pope in 1324 and formally acknowledged by England in 1328. Robert died in 1329 and was succeeded by his son, David II.

On 23 June, 1314, the first day of the Battle of Bannockburn, two English cavalry formations advanced towards the Scots who were positioned beyond the Bannock Burn. As they crossed the stream, the English formations encountered a body of Scots, among them Robert the Bruce himself. Without warning, Henry de Bohun, the nephew of the Earl of Hereford, raised his lance and charged at the unsuspecting Bruce. Bruce turned to face him and, at the last moment as the two passed side by side, he swiftly pulled his pony aside, dodged the lance and split Bohun's head wide open with his battle axe. 

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Sir James Douglas (c. 1286–1330), known as The Black Douglas, was one of Scotland’s most celebrated military commanders and a close companion of Robert the Bruce. He played a major role in the Wars of Scottish Independence, earning a fearsome reputation among the English for his daring raids and ruthless battlefield tactics.

Douglas became renowned for his guerrilla warfare, surprise attacks and daring raids into northern England. He helped capture Roxburgh Castle in 1314 and fought alongside Bruce at Bannockburn. His repeated victories made his name feared by English soldiers and it was even used to frighten children.

Following Bruce’s death in 1329, Douglas undertook to carry the king’s embalmed heart on a crusade to the Holy Land. Diverting to Spain to fight the Moors, he was killed at the Battle of Teba in 1330. His remains and Bruce’s heart were returned to Scotland, where the heart was buried at Melrose Abbey.

And in my wallet, I have one of these (yes, for all you Englishmen, it is a dreaded Scottish pound note - shriek, horror, pass the smelling salts, vicar!)

As you can see, Robert the Bruce is so venerated in Scotland, he is even on our money (or was until the notes were all replaced with crappy fake gold coins!)

And here is his statue on the field of Bannockburn, near Stirling 

Thanks for visiting!

A Small Solo "French & Indian War" Game

So, I think I mentioned that when I was off work sick back in August, I struggled my way through reading the original version of "Last of the Mohicans"? This got me to thinking about the character figures I had painted back in 2023, and whether I might be able to finally get them into action. Resorting to my lazy scenario tool, I asked Co Pilot to create me a mini skirmish level campaign. based on the events in the book - and tonight's game is the first of eight scenarios it came up with. I played using a half-remembered version of Andrews fantasy skirmish rules, making Hawkeye a +3 hero, Chingatchcook and Magua +2. Uncas and Major Howard +1 and Cora, Alice and the standard Hurons 0.

Here is how it went over about an hour of play 

29" square table ready for action. In the first scenario, Hawkeye and his colleagues have to get the Major and sisters from one side of the table to the other, crossing the river. Right to left above, left to right below.

The party. (The Major is played by a Front Rank version of General James Wolfe!)

Magua, who starts the game as their guide

The journey commences

To simulate the sudden betrayal of Magua, I rolled 2 D6 at the start of each turn - any double would mean a Huron ambush and Magua attempting to grab one of the Munro sisters!

I was beginning to wonder if I would roll any doubles!

And then on about turn 4, I did. Magua grabbed at Cora, the elder sister in the blue dress ....

But the feisty lass fought him off!

Temporarily defeated, Magua darted into the cover of the surrounding forest, as his Huron war party sprung their ambush.

Chingatchcook and Uncas sprinted back down the path to engage the enemy.

Uncas was the first to take down one of the enemy warriors

Chingatchcook confronted the traitorous Magua

More Hurons advanced on the party from across the river

Through a combination of close combat and excellent marksmanship, most of the Hurons were knocked out of the game.

Hawkeye and the Major led the Munro girls across the river towards safety

As the two remaining Hurons beat a hasty retreat!

Chingatchcook and Magua faced off for one-on-one combat

Magua prevailed, putting a hit on the Mohican chief!

But Uncas then fired his musket, wounding the Huron in turn

Magua ducked back into the cover of the trees

Shaken by the experience of the savage attack, the party moved slowly forwards

Uncas leading the way

Magua and two Hurons slunk after them, concealed by the forest

Uncas scouting ahead of the main party

Magua glared angrily and made a bird call to signal his men

Just as it seemed the party would escape (I rolled no doubles for about 6 turns in a row!) ......

.....  more Huron warriors appeared in front of them!

And then, two more popped up in the forest to their right!

A round of musketry left the Major and Chingatchcook carrying hits.

And Uncas was overpowered by a Huron warrior and captured!

The Major, however, came to his aid!

A desperate struggle ensued, as two Hurons closed in on Alice and Cora!

Alice managed to evade capture

And Hawkeye fought off an attack by TWO Hurons!

Then, a Huron warrior grabbed Alice and started dragging her away... until Hawkeye intervened, pulling her to safety!

Uncas faced off against another Huron ....

......and only just defeated him

A round of musket fire from the Major, Chingatchcook, Uncas and Hawkeye knocked down most of the remaining Hurons, as Alice and Cora ran for safety.

"My goodness, Alice, that was a close call!" Cora exclaimed.

"This is not the end" Magua snarled as he watched his erstwhile prey slip from his grasp.

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So, that was a bit of fun, and very cinematic - a couple of times, I thought "they are just going to walk off" and then a double brought on the Hurons - and then, a couple of times I thought "this campaign is going to be over before it starts" because the Hurons seemed to be on the verge of winning the scenario outright! Instead of which, the goodies escaped and live to fight another day, just like in the book/movie!

I will try and play the scenarios every few days, to keep my interest up and get through the campaign in a couple of weeks - let's see how I get on!