I have now confirmed with the organiser Jeremy that we are attending the Society of Ancients Battle day, Newbury.
We have a team of 4.
Two games
1x LONGSHIPS
1x CK
Both playing Maldon battle
Others are welcome to join us if they wish.
I will need names though.
martin :)
Thanks for organising this, Martin.
Very excited at having something to aim for to get a Saxon force done in time for the big day.
Simon
It should be a nice day out. Not too far top go and they are having a pre battle history talk too.
The cost per player is £12, payable on the day.
martin :)
I am happy to go and booked the Monday off already. I will have to borrow some troops as I won't have any of these done by then, mainly as I haven't planned for doing them yet ?
Miles
Hello all
Now is the time to chat about the SA Maldon battle day.
We started discussing this last year.
The plan is to go to Newbury and put on two tables.
Both battle of Maldon
Table 1 = Longships (played twice)
Table 2= CK (played twice)
30th March 2025
https://www.soa.org.uk/joomla/battle-day/239-battleday-2025
Obviously lives change over the 6 months.
I think the team will be
1. Miles
2. Simon
3. Nigel
4. martin
Would anyone else like to come along?
martin :)
THIS IS A REPRINT OF A LAST YEAR TOPIC POST
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.
https://www.soa.org.uk/joomla/images/battlepacks/B_Day_2025_Maldon_Battle_Pack.pdf
Sorry but I am busy that weekend. Shame as i enjoyed the Bosworth one.
John
Martin,
I'm still on to play Longships. I finished painting my Saxon force this morning.
Just the small matter of shield decals, basing and flags to go...
Do I need to bring anything for the table itself?
Simon
Hello Simon
We need to chat about all that ASAP.
We need two Saxon armies and two Viking armies.
You have a Saxon army for the longships.
I have a Saxon and Viking army for CK. I am also finding a viking army for longships. May need adding a bit, but I am on this.
martin :)
What about table scenery ?
Miles
Good question Miles.
I will get the organisation done on Monday 24th for us to discuss and negotiate over.
It looks like we have 4 players and two games.
The scenery is pretty straight forward.
martin :)
Let's all try to remember that the clocks will have gone forward that morning!
Looks like an 8am start on site to get set up?
Simon
I ve been trying to find the link where we are going again to ? I know it's just off the M4 just North of Newbury ?
Miles
Morning Martin,Miles , Simon
Do you kneed to borrow a Viking Force for the event?
Stewart
Quote from: Smiley Miley 66 on March 24, 2025, 03:23:09 AMI ve been trying to find the link where we are going again to ? I know it's just off the M4 just North of Newbury ?
Miles
This was posted on the Society of Ancients website-
" Battle Day (Maldon 991AD) at Hermitage Village Hall (postcode RG18 9WL) on Sunday 30th March. "
...and there's a 'Battlepack' in pdf form on the Society of Ancients website:
https://www.soa.org.uk/joomla/images/battlepacks/B_Day_2025_Maldon_Battle_Pack.pdf
When you get there Miles, it is up a little track. See street view maybe.
martin :)
Quote from: Stewart 46A on March 24, 2025, 07:39:20 AMMorning Martin,Miles , Simon
Do you kneed to borrow a Viking Force for the event?
Stewart
I'll let Martin confirm the plan, but think we will please, Stewart!
Thanks,
Simon
Thank you for that.
Miles
Yes please Stewart.
Give me a couple of days to present the scenario ideas to the magic 4.
martin :)
I have sent out the Maldon battle day details. If anyone else would like a copy do let me know.
Looks to be a good day out.
martin :)
Looking forward to hearing how the SOA Battle Day goes. Wish I could be there.
Hello Miles
Just to repeat Martin's help
Hermitage Village Hall in Berkshire (postcode RG18 9WL)
https://www.instantstreetview.com/@51.461943,-1.26594,40.14h,5p,1z,_5l2J_hYTZbsHxBHmgkQnQ
Ignore the barriers . They are now gone. This lane leads to the hall.
martin :)
Rumour on the SoA Forum of a road closure which may affect some:-
" As if life is not exciting enough, Thames Water have chosen this moment to dig up the most accessible route from the M4/A34 junction to Hermitage.
Therefore, anyone hoping to attend Battle Day from this direction should instead follow the A34 and A339 south into Newbury. At the the Robin Hood roundabout (that's the one with the rusty sculpture in the middle) keep in the left hand lane and take the exit for B4009 to Hermitage. Keep on this road all the way to and through Hermitage until you turn right at the mini roundabout at the far end of the village. Yeah, I know, it adds an extra half-hour to your journey, but it is beyond our control."
...so a look at eg Google Maps before setting off may be in order.
Thanks for this Martin.
What with the clocks changing too, it could be a fun start to the day!
Simon
Sounds challenging Simon.
martin :)
I'll navigate by the stars, Martin.
Simon
Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on March 26, 2025, 08:20:16 PMI'll navigate by the stars, Martin.
Simon
Use the GoogleSextant app, and a lodestone....🙂
Actually that was the was the way I was going to up into Hermitage anyway. up to the same roundabout that you take as you go towards Colours at Newbury. But take the first left not the second left and keep going up that road, Long lane I think it's called.
So we have to be there by 0800 ?
Miles
Hello Miles
As we are just gaming, I think we can be there for 9am? This gives us a bit more time.
martin :)
Hope you all have a great day and let the best General win
Stewart
Thanks Stewart - very much looking forward to it.
Simon
Looking forward to this and 0900 sounds good to me ?
See you all there tomorrow.
Miles
The roadworks issue ....MAY....have been fixed?? Someone on the SoA forum posted this yesterday-
" Could be mistaken, but I think they've cleared. The website gives the dates as 24-28 Mar, and I drove that road this morning to the venue and it was clear."
Hoping it's sorted, and you have a cracking day out 🤞🏻👍🏼
That is very promising Martin
Good to have scouts out there in the woods
martin :)
Quote from: martin goddard on March 29, 2025, 08:01:10 AMThat is very promising Martin
Good to have scouts out there in the woods
martin :)
Hopefully the scouts aren't spreading disinformation 😯! Good luck tomorrow...should be a great day out.
This is Byrhtnoth, Ealdorman of Essex.
(https://i.postimg.cc/m11RQ1vB/20250329-215230.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/m11RQ1vB)
His enemies may mock his long girlie hair, but he and his men are tough fighters.
Byrhtnoth is mightily miffed that some ill-mannered Vikings have moored their longships in his front yard, and is determined to teach the Danes a lesson they won't forget.
Simon