Conventional Warfare

Over the last few days the Society of Ancients held its annual convention at Madingley Hall near Cambridge.  It was the first such convention I have attended and I found it a most enjoyable event.  The venue, a conference centre run by the University of Cambridge, is a splendid 16th century house with modern accommodation added at the back, set in beautiful parkland and formal gardens that looked splendid in late October sunshine.

The Hall framed by a mighty cedar of Lebanon in the grounds.

The Hall has retained some old mounting steps for anyone who might have chosen to arrive by horse but I don't think anyone took the opportunity to use ancient era transport (though some late Saxon arms and equipment were on display for those with interest).  I travelled up by train from Wiltshire : most came by car.

The Society had the use of a grand room with a bay window large enough for a mid-sized wargames table (pictured at the top), together with a good range of other rooms with space for a whole range of gaming tables, sales stands and refreshments.

The programme had four main sessions, each starting with a talk from an expert in a particular subject, followed by break-out sessions in which the 45 attendees could sign up for a range of different games.  Most people arrived on the Friday evening to meet up for a drink and a casual meal.  Afterwards there was a presentation on 3D printing - which quickly convinced me that I had been wise not to rush into buying a machine - while some old hands peeled off to fight some introductory games.

Saturday morning began with a fascinating talk 'From Edgcote to Empingham', outlining the crisis of Edward IV's reign leading up to his final breaking off with Warwick the Kingmaker.  This was given by Graham Evans of the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society.  Later I was very fortunate to have him joining the test of my ancient naval game where he was a most encouraging and helpful source of advice.  After the talk, I joined a game of Strength and Honour, adapted for an earlier period of hoplite warfare from the original late Roman Republic - Early Principate era.  The adaptations were simple and sensible but this was the game I enjoyed least over the weekend as persistent bad dice rolls left the Theban wing I was commanding at the battle of Nemea plodding very slowly across the field and ultimately doing nothing while the Athenians and other allies gallantly held up the Spartans and caused mischief in the middle.

Nemea : Thebans lagging on the right while the Athenians start sticking it to the Spartans on the left!

After concluding the Strength and Honour game I had a quick look at the final stages of Adrian Nayler's 'Blood Red Roses' game, but missed out on a refight of Salamis and several other games that were also in progress that morning.

10mm Wars of the Roses action using 'Blood Red Roses' rules

The afternoon began with a presentation from Dr Matthew Bennett on the Battle of Maldon.  This was part of the preparation for the Society's 2025 Battle Day which will see various recreations of this battle celebrated in poem and significant in history as marking the beginning of the breakdown of the Anglo-Saxon state built by Alfred and Athelstan under pressure from renewed Danish attacks.  

The afternoon games included an awesome set up for a 'Gangs of Rome' showdown

Boudicca led her hordes of beautifully painted Britons against impressive Romans

This clash of Britons and Romans used 'To The Strongest' Rules

Simon MacDowell put on a huge hoplite battle with his 'Alala' rules, which I would have liked to join but...

...it clashed with the timing for rolling out the test game for 'Aegaeon'.

The day ended with a great talk by John Bassett on the fall of the Roman Republic and how to game it using a committee approach, followed by a cheerful dinner.  There were after dinner games but the remains of jet-lag and effects of earlier late nights made themselves felt so I retired to prepare for the next day.

Day two is covered in part II.