I've just seen on TMP that the 2025 Society of Ancients Battle Day is going to be the Battle of Maldon.
I'm thinking that this could be a great opportunity to showcase the RFCM Wrath of the Vikings rules?
I've not yet found a date or location, but these events generally seem to be held in the Newbury area.
What do we think, chaps?
Simon
I think it is at Madingley hall north east of London.
It wild be nice to go but quite along way to go.
martin :)
Isn't that where the SOA Annual Conference is (in Cambridgeshire) is held, but there's usually a separate annual Battle Day too? Like the Bosworth one we went to at that lovely stately home in Newbury, Martin?
Simon
That would be much easier.
I will have a look.
Nothing visible yet though.
martin :)
Interested.
Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on July 11, 2024, 03:40:20 PMIsn't that where the SOA Annual Conference is (in Cambridgeshire) is held, but there's usually a separate annual Battle Day too? Like the Bosworth one we went to at that lovely stately home in Newbury, Martin?
Simon
Correct. The Madingley Hall one is the Convention/Conference, at the end of October, but the Battle Day is usually April +/-, and has been in the Newbury area for a while.
Not sure that Maldon has been finalised (yet). Other options are still being mooted.
We will wait pensively.
Like a crouching stoat?
martin :)
Could also showcase CK.
John
Quote from: martin goddard on July 12, 2024, 09:22:24 AMWe will wait pensively.
Like a crouching stoat?
martin :)
Crouching stoat; hidden Badger?
Not quite the same ring to it somehow.....
Neil
I asked on the SoA Forum, as to whether Maldon was definitely the battle...looks like a strong chance that the TMP post was correct ...replies included:-
" It was my understanding that Maldon was definitely the battle for 2025."
" T'was mine as well. Although I have not seen any official confirmation.
Perhaps an "argument" for making the announcement at the conclusion of the current year's Battle Day?
There was also talk of considering a non-Western battle."
...followed by ....
"Battle Day organiser, Jeremy Giles, has had his hands full recently with getting married and moving house."
So, when I spot an announcement of the 2025 Battleday choice I'll post here (tbh Maldon's a strong possibility - looks like the urge for a NON Europe battle has been put back to 2026).
Thanks for the update and insight, Martin S!
Simon
Thank you Martin.
Good Recce.
Keep your head down.
martin :)
....however, reading the latest Slingshot, there are a few references to Maldon... so, despite a lack of 'official' announcement on the Forum, it looks like a fait accompli (or the Anglo-Saxon equivalent). I'll keep an eye out, while keeping my head down, as ordered 🙂🙃
For the benefit of all. here is my brief description of Maldon.
England 10th century.
Monarchy messy but young king is on the throne. King and kingdom seen as vulnerable.
Vikings raiding.
Maldon near bottom corner of England.
Vikings arrive and set up camp on island with low tide causeway to mainland.
English arrive and bottle up Vikings on island.
Vikings say "it's not fair".
English agree and say "come ashore and have a man battle"
Battle goes OK for English until general killed.
Then it all goes bad in the 90th minute.
English fall back and Vikings eventually get paid off by the usual method of Amazon gift cards etc.
A small battle by world standards, with about 3000 a side.
martin :)
Any re-fight would have to include slurs on opponent's manhood and mutual loathing.
Posted today on the SoA Forum:-
" For the avoidance of doubt, and with apologies for the delay in posting (though I have enjoyed catching up on the rumours!) here to formally confirm, and as announced at the end of this year's Battle Day, that next year will indeed be Maldon. I remain open to ideas about how we find a suitable battle outside of the western hemisphere to broaden our minds, but that will be for a future year. As for this year:
Society of Ancients Battle Day
Sunday 30 March 2025
Maldon (991 AD)
Next year's annual Society of Ancients Battle Day will take place at Hermitage Village Hall in Berkshire (postcode RG18 9WL), on Sunday 30th March 2025. We will be re-fighting the famous clash between Vikings and Anglo-Saxons at The Battle of Maldon in 991 AD.
The day will run from 9am (with the hall available to set up from 8am) to 5pm and will consist of an opening presentation followed by a full day of wargames to refight the battle itself. A wide variety of rules sets, figure scales and even, perhaps, widely divergent interpretations of the historical sources will be on display. Games are laid on by attendees, and participants can either volunteer to run a game, or turn up and find a free space to play. The event is open to both members and non-members, and will cost £12 per person.
For further details, please email the Battleday Coordinator: battleday@soa.org.uk or soabattleday@gmail.com ".
Tis now a definite 😁
It would be interesting to see if this could be played using the battle rules.
Thank you for keeping us up to date Martin.
I would like to go.
Who would be happy to play it with CK?
I think we can play it twice in the day easily.
martin :)
I'd like to go.
But how about also doing it with the Longships rules?
Simon
Sounds good to me. CK is fine. I haven't played Longships so can"t comment on them.
John
Doh! I hadn't considered CK. Maybe a table of each?
We could do a table of each as Sean suggests??
30th March will be a bit rainy though?
martin :)
Who is up for that day.
1.martin
Who is up for that day?
1. Martin
2. Simon
I'm up for it.
John
Who is up for that day?
1. Martin
2. Simon
3. John
This is good.
martin :)
Maybe we can play the game a few times before the actual event, to make sure the Vikings lose?
martin :)
1. Martin
2. Simon
3. John
4. Sean
I know that Maldon is considered important amd that there was a poem written about it. However, as a wargame I'm not sure what the fascination is 😁 Two lines of dark ages troops shoot each other and then bash each other up a bit.
Though thisay describe many battles through history ;D ;D ;D
Scenery seems very straight forward.
See my earlier description of the battle and I think you will be excited Sean(?)
martin :)
Evening
I am available
I have Vikings based for l
Longships
Stewart
Looks green for go.
Two games?
1. Martin
2. Simon
3. John
4. Sean
5. Stewart
martin :)
Quote from: Stewart 46A on August 05, 2024, 08:43:37 PMEvening
I am available
I have Vikings based for l
Longships
Stewart
That might well give me the nudge I need to paint up my Saxons for the event so that I can fight you, Stewart!
Simon
Any time Simon
Come down to Weymouth and say that
Stewart
I think I'd keep you penned up on your little island and not make the key historical mistake of inviting you to fight on a ground of your choosing.
So, I'll see you at the end of the causeway, then?
Simon
I have Vikings for CK.
John
Simon
No problem
There is a nice swimming hole there at small mouth beach
Stewart