1st and 2nd VDL Legion Battalions Painted

ABOVE: The Battalion Colour of the 2nd Battalion of the VDL Legion.
Hi
It's been a while since I've posted to this BLOG, but here is my latest offering. I've painted both battalions of the Van Demon's Land Legion. Miniatures are from EUREKA MINIATURES 28mm "Age Of Reason" range, and Flags are from MAVERICK MODELS; based on my designs.
I can't recommend Maverick Models high enough. Excellent flags at an excellent price, AND Stuart will make flags based on YOUR designs back up with excellent service! What more could you want?
BELOW: 2nd Battalion as seen from behind

BELOW: 2nd Battalion from the front. The Flag on the right (as you see it) is the Battalion Flag, whilst the one on the left is the Standard of Princess Mathilda. It's customary in the Army of The Holy Mormoanick Kingdom Of New Wales for members of the Royal Family to allow units to take their Personal Standards into battle.

BELOW: The business end of the 1st Battalion of the VDL Legion! Here we see Drummer Kane and the Personal Standard of Princess Hayley. The VDL's two Battalions have the honour of carrying into battle the Personal Standards of two Princess's in the same battle. The Battle in question was the Battle of Orange Hill, (more on this later). The 1snt and 2nd Battalions of the VDL are sometimes called "The Sister's Legion"

BELOW: A close up of Princess Hayley's Standard and The 1st Battalion Colour

BELOW: 1st Battalion as seen from behind (top) and front (bottom).

BELOW: Drummer Kane beats out a tune for the boys!

Sorry for the poor quality of the pictures. Feel free to leave a comment.

Cheers

Assassin! Oh foul deeds,...

LOCATION: The Grand Duke's Hunting Estate, Gravellot.
DATE: June 5, 1746, 7.15AM
The sweat was running in torrents down the young boy's face; or was it tears.
"MURDER, Foul MURDER"!!!

The boy was running from the stables to the large Manor. Once there he would get help.
He bounded up the stairs two or three at a time;
"Help, HELP! The Grand Duke has been shot"!

Duchess Margaretta appeared at the top of the stairs:
"What is this you say? Calm yourself boy!! I can't understand a single word you say"!

"The Grand Duke Ma'am,... He he's been shot. Killed I think"!

"WHAT"! Captain, CAPTAIN of the Guard! Lady Sarah!! Quickly, get the guard"!
Lady Sarah ran off through the large doorway towards the stunned Duty Officer who was now standing near a small table. His chair now toppled over as he spang to his feet.

The Duchess grabbed the boy by the shoulders:
"Take me to him,..."

15 minutes later the Duchess and her small party of arrived at the stables on the edge of the wooded area surrounding the estate. She had with her Lady Sarah, Captian Chamberlain and 12 Troopers from the Grand Duke's Duty Squadron.
At the entrance of the stable lay sprawling the Grand Duke. A large wound in his chest was evident, and much blood lay sticky on the ground. He had also been shot in the head.
The Duchess was off her horse and kneeling beside him. The blood was soon all over her dress and hands. She took the Grand Dukes head in her hands and let out a searing scream!

"Peter, PETER! Dear God look what they have done! This is the work of your vile brother no doubt"!

Lady Sarah pulled the Duchess away:
"There is nothing you can do Ma'am. Please come away".

"BASTARDS!! Vile BASTARDS! They think they can get away with this. Captain, send a messanger to the Lords and High council of the Colony. I want them all at the Orange House tonight!

Captain Chamberlain spoke:
"But Ma'am, surely we should secure your safety first and get the Grand Duke back to the manor? I should send some of the men in pursuit of the assassin. He can't have got to far"!

"Don't argue with me you impudent dog!! I'll have you back in the ranks so fast it'll make you foolish head spin. Now send half the men to do as I say. I have my duty to perform. I must secure the government. I already know those responsible. I could care less about who pulled the trigger. I want those who ordered it done,..."!

"SIR"!
One of the troopers was knelling beside the Grand Duke,..
"I think he's still alive"!

To Be Continued

Characters! Part 1

Above: General Zillmann (l) and King Phillip I (r)

Hi All
It's been a couple of months since I've been able to add to the blog.
Rest assured, I intend to keep it going.
In the meantime, here are some pictures of three of the characters from the HMKoNW
Below: King Phillip I in his regal robes


Below:General Zillmann

Below: Drummer Kane in the uniform of the Van Demon's Land Legion.

You can read more of Drummer Kane here.

Kane started his military service in the Clairmont Militia, until he transfered to "The Legion" in 1736. Was it better pay, the uniform, or a certain camp follower by the name of "Saucy Sally" that attracted him to "The Legion"?

The miniatures of The King and General Zillmann are from the OLD GLORY "Duelist" set that I received with my OG ARMY CARD membership.

Drummer Kane is from EUREKA MINIATURES.

I called Nic at Eureka and asked if he had in his extensive range of miniatures a negro drummer.

He didn't, but un-daunted he actually made "Kane" for me by using the body from his Provincial Regulars range and a head from one of his "Natives", (not sure on what specific range).

How's that for customer service!

Cheers!

War Clouds On The Horizon?

(Pictured: A repeated scene across the Kingdom. A man takes his wives to his Temple to declare his "Chosen" one)

Grand Duke Colin, General Zillmann and the King dismounted their horses near a small tavern. The mounted escort from Princess Hayley's Hussars moved to their usual positions around the trio; five troopers and one NCO each at the 4 cardinal points. The young officer, second in command dismounted with another five troopers and positioned themselves within close proximity to the King. The Major commanding the escort moved with the King.

They had just left a meeting with the Prophet and the Church Council at The Temple.

Only two days earlier the Prophet and Queen had had a lunch and meeting with the King, and there they had presented a Church Proclamation to the King. At that meeting it was decided that the King and his most trusted advisors would meet at greater length with the Prophet and entire Church Council.

The meeting had lasted for more than two hours, and now the small band were heading back to the Palace.

"The King and his party require some privacy"! barked the Major in command of the Escorting Troop

"Of course. Allow me to clear this table in the corner", stammered the Inn Keeper.

"We are not used to such regal visitors"

Tables were moved, chairs were replaced with better chairs.

"'Tis a great honour M'lard"!

General Zillmann was the first to speak:

"I suspect the proclamation will be readily accepted by most of the lower to middle class, but much of the nobility will not be happy Sire"

"I agree, but the Church will release the proclomation regardless of what I think. Hmmm, time to pick a side".

The King sipped his apple juice.

"I must be seen to support the Church. The noblility can choose between what is right, or what is conveinient. I shall set the example; which won't be too hard. My other wives, Lady Julie and Duchess Rachel are far away already. They are also well cared for".

"But what of the divorced wives, what becomes of them Sire"? General Zillmann's question was a good one.

"My good General, The Prophet said that they would remain the responsibility of their ex husbands"

The Grand Duke replied:

"The laws would and will need to make clear that even though the husband must choose only one wife, he would still be responsible for the divorced wife or wives until they were either re-married; or died".

General Zillmann made an observation:

"I can see that many men are not going to be to happy about supporting a woman that gives nothing in return.

There will be a lot of weddings for the newly divorced;... or a lot of funerals".

A week later the proclomation hit the streets:

The Prophet and King are compeled to make the following Holy Proclomation!

Our Heavenly Father has decreed, no man is to have more than one wife!

Any man with more than one wife is to present to their Shire or Provincial Temple with their wives and declare their chosen one.

The divorced wives will be cared for by their ex husbands until they are re-married.

Their welfare and safety will be the resonsibility of their previous husbands.

Children will remain in the care of their Birth mothers, unless they are voluntarily surrendered to their fathers.

Ex-wives may reside within their ex-husband's lodgings until re-married, but may not engage in "Relations".

Any person failing to comply with the proclomation will be deemed in violating the most holy institution of marriage and face severe punishment in this world, and judgment in the next!

SO SAYTH THE LORD!!!

GOD SAVE THE KING!

More "legal" details were posted with the proclomation, but the thrust of what was now law wasn't lost on the masses.

For many, the news was well received. Many of the lower classes saw the new laws as another un-deserved "privalige" stripped from the "well to do".

For some however, the proclamation was as if the church and their King was declaring war on them,.....

The BRIDE WARS were about to begin!

TO BE CONTINUED!

(PICTURED: The proclomation is well received by many. Here some of the guests at a tavern celebrate the news)

MORMOAN CAVALRY (cont.): 2nd Regiment, Princess Hayley's Hussars.

(Apologies for the quality of the picture of the Uniform, but you get a good idea of the colours. I will update the picture ASAP)

Today, we will look at the 2nd Regiment; “Princess Hayley’s Hussars”
NAME: 2nd Regiment, "Princess Hayley’s Hussars”
Date Raised: 18 September 1701
MOTTO: "Eager To Strike”
Unofficial Motto: None Known to date.
Nicknames:"The Chestnuts" and “The Parrots”
Battle Honours: "Beaver Ridge", "The Hostile Wars" and "Port Philip 1728".
Brief History:
This regiment of Hussar was the second cavalry regiment to be raised by the Mormoans. The Parliamentary decree that authorized their raising stated that “A Regiment of Hussars be raised to provide scouts for the standing Army, and Escorts for dignitaries’ as required”.

Most of the Troopers were recruited from the “Well To Do” families. They are mounted on Chestnut horses, except for the Buglers, who ride Grey’s. The Regiment First saw action at Beaver Ridge, where they inflicted significant casualties on the French Colonists during the pursuit.
Regimental anecdotes and traditions:

The Regiment earned their motto at Beaver Ridge where they were being held in reserve. When they saw the 1^st Regiment being unleashed on the enemy many troopers were heard to cry out, “Is the 1^st to have all the glory”?

And:

“Sire, we too are eager to strike your enemies”!

The Regiment's Honorary Colonel is Princess Hayley, the King's third daughter. Initially they were simply “The 2^nd Regiment”, but when the nation became a Constitutional Monarchy they we’re renamed “The 2^nd Regiment, Royal Hussars”. When the King’s third daughter attended at Review of the Cavalry in 1743 with her Grandfather, (then King) she commented that she thought the 2^nd Regiment looked to be the best on parade.

“Poppy, I do so like the look of the Hussars, they look like those Parrots we feed each morning” she is said to have commented. “I think that it’s only fair that if my big sister has the Dragoons as her Regiment, that the fellows on little horses should have her little sister as their Honorary Colonel. Don’t you think Poppy”?

King Michael agreed, and decreed on 27 September, (his grand-daughter’s birthday), that “From henceforth the 2^nd Regiment will be known as Princess Hayley’s Hussars”!

Below we have a picture of the Regiments Guidon, (battle Flag),

Some Eye Candy

Hi all

Here are some pictures of work in progress, (near complete) of some New Wales Units.

I say "near complete, as I still need to add to the Militia their Colour (flag) and a bit more "ground scatter" to the bases.

First (above), we have two pictures of the now "Based" Raechel's Troop of the Maiden Guard. Below we have three pictures of the YARRA MILITIA, (or "Raggity Anns" as they have been nick-named). The miniatures are a mix of PERRY MINIATURES (AWI range), OLD GLORY (AWI), and EUREKA MINIATURES, ("Ragged Continentals"). I only wish I could paint well enough to do the figures justice. The PERRY and EUREKA figures are little works of art. OLD GLORY can be a bit "hit or miss" in my opinion.

Fortunatly for me, the OLD GLORY AWI Range of figures is one of their better lines.

Something's In The Air

King Phillip I, his uncle Grand Duke Colin and General Von Zillmann were bent over the desk, studying a diagram.
"So this thing will, erm; fly"? asked the young king.
The Grand Duke folded his arms and straightened up:
"Apparently so. All to do with "hot air rising" and such, so Dr Tross assures me".
King Phillip looked up:
"And Dr Tross will be able to construct this, what did he call it,..."
"A Balloon Phillip". The Grand Duke was quite informal with the King, his nephew.
"Ah yes; Balloon".
The King directed the next question to the General:
"So Colonel Ann will escort Dr Tross, and the engineers to Wodongatown, build a stockade, and then from within develop all the where-with-all to have this balloon launched so as to provide a "birds eye view" into Alburburg".
General Von Zillmann snapped his heels together:
"That is the plan Sire. We believe that is where the Raiders from the RNS concentrate and launch their raids from. We believe the Raiders are actualy the 4th Dragoons"
The King moved away from the desk and diagram and plans of the strange flying machine. The others followed.
They listened as he began again:
"These cross border raids must stop. I trust this contraption will give us the early warning we need to enable us to intercept any future raids before too much harm can be done. I'm confident the Yarra Militia and a troop from Bree's Battery should be a sufficient force to defend the works"
General Von Zillmann added:
"Ja Sire, and the 4th Foot and the Royal Dragoons can intercept any raids nearby".
The King stopped and turned to face his Uncle and the General.
"Well done Gentlemen! When did Colonel Ann's column depart"?
The Grand Duke answered:
"Last week. They should almost be at Wodongatown now".
King Phillip I smiled:
"And Lady Hugankiss should soon be arriving in the RNS Capital..."

TO BE CONTINUED!

Who's Who in New Wales

To assist the reader, here is a list of "Who is Who" (or Who is Was), in the Holy Mormoan Kingdom of New Wales.
The main "Characters" are as follows:

John Smyth-Clements: Founder of the Mormoan Religion, and "Founding Father" of the colony of New Wales.

Uehorn and Iracow natives (Nth American Indians): American Natives that have been "Mormoanized". Mormoans believed the native Americans to be a long lost Israelite Tribe. Approximately 1000 of these Native Americans landed in New Wales with the First Fleet!

Michael Clements (King): Seized sole power in a coup during a sitting of the Mormoan Parliament, and proclaimed "First Consul". In 1728, after defeating a large Franco-Spanish Army at the Battle of Port Phillip, he was proclaimed the 1st King of New Wales. Abdicated in favour of Prince Phillip, (due to poor health). Still popular, (though behaves rather odd at times). Favorite pastime is Boxing!

Queen Janet of Dudley: 1st, (and most popular wife) of King Michael. Mother of Princess Kim, Prince Peter (Later Grand Duke), and Prince Phillip (Later King). Later became Queen Mother. Loved by the People. Most Popular Royal by far!

Duchess Judith of Campbell, (known as the "Bloody Duchess"): Second wife of King Michael. Became known as "The Bloody Duchess" after she lead a purge of the Royal Court during a 2 month Regency when King Michael was very ill. Unpopular with the people. Cunning as a fox that went to "Cunning College". Mother of Prince Matthew, Prince Simon, Princess Emma. Not at all happy to see King Phillip I on the thrown!

Grand Duke Colin: Elder Brother of King Michael. Grand Duke Colin established a colony on a large Island south of the mainland called Van Demon's Land. This became known as The Grand Duchy of Van Demon's Land. Involved with the Parliament as Minister for The Navy and Science.

KING PHILLIP I of the HOLY MORMOAN KINGDOM of NEW WALES

Born: 29 July 1695. A descendant of John Smyth-Clements, (The House Of Clements).

Proclaimed KING: 13 Nov 1745.

1st Wife: Lady Juliet of Lakelands.

2nd Wife: Duchess Rachel of Raaf.

3rd Wife: Lady, (now Queen and elevated to Prima Wife), Queen Raechel of Harre-Edwards

Children: Princess Amanda, Princess Ashlie (wife1)/ Princess Hayley (wife2) // Princess Mathilda (Prima Wife).

After a very active childhood spent playing much sport he entered the Army. After his 4 years of study at Adfaburg Duntroon Military Academy he entered the Royal Foot Guards Grenadiers as a Company commander at the tender age of 26. He was appointed Commander of the Household Brigade 18 months later. At the Battle of Fort Clairmont he personally led the "Light" Battalion of the Royal Foot Guards as they attacked the French line by charging from the woods on the enemy's left flank. He seized the fallen colour of the "Guard Francis", (decorated with Fleur-de-lys), as the 4th Regiment of Foot put them to flight. Later he led his Brigade with distinction at Launceston in 1734; personally taking the surrender of the Spanish Regiment "Fleur De Lys". Given command of the Army Reserve Brigade at the Battle of Vinegar Hill in1738, his well timed attack secured victory for his father, King Michael. These three actions became known as "Phillip's plucking of the Lilly's of the Field" (or "Fleur De Lys"). A popular King, devoted to his people.

Lady Juliet of Lakelands: 1st wife of King Phillip I. Suffers from bouts of "The Madness". Live in Exile at the Southern tip of Van Demon's Land. Mother of the very popular Princess Amanda. Addicted to the "China drug".

Duchess Rachel of Raaf: 2nd wife of King Phillip I. Mother of the young Princess Hayley. Stays out of the "lime light". Keeps herself busy with shopping for the latest fashions and sitting in Beauty Parlors. Devoted mother to the young Princess.

Queen Raechel of Harre-Edwards (now elevated to Prima Wife) :Renowned for her Beauty. Extremely popular with the people. Her influence allowed "non-converted" (ie: Christians of the Catholic or Protestant denominations), to hold seat within Parliament. Born of Noble birth, from a Saxon family that came to New Wales with the First Fleet. Devoted wife of King Phillip I, and mother of the Infant Princess Mathilda.

Princess Amanda: Eldest daughter of King Phillip. The Royal Dragoon Regiment's Honorary Colonel. Has also been involved in diplomatic missions "Off Shore". A bit of a "Wild Child", she like the excitement of the hunt, accompanying the Royal Dragoons and Constabulary Force on pursuits of renegade natives, criminal elements and "raiders".

Princess Ashlie: Second daughter of the King. Married a Lord Jeremy, Marquise Of Hervey, the Minister for Construction. She is a devoted mother to two young daughters.

Princess Hayley: The third daughter of King Phillip I, (from his 2nd wife). Often seen at the King's side during military parades and inspections, dressed as an Officer of the Maiden Guard, (even though she's not yet in her teens). Quite a character, she often teases General Von Zillmann. A favorite of the Maiden and Royal Guards.

Princess Mathilda: Infant daughter of the King by the Prima Wife, Queen Raechel.

General Von Zillmann: The General is one of only a handful of high ranking officers that had risen from the ranks. Started as a soldier in the 7th Regiment of Foot. Eventually was the RSM of the 7th. Contributed greatly to the Kingdom's victory at the battle of Port Phillip. Currently Minister for War. One of the closest adviser to the King. Very popular with the army.

Grand Duke Peter: King Phillip's older Brother. Compelled to relinquished the thrown to his younger brother due to marriage to a Catholic, The Duchess Margaretta. Consequently he holds the title of Grand Duke of Van Demon's Land. He is very popular with the "demonlanders".

Duchess Margaretta: A Dutch Catholic from a wealthy family, and Wife of Grand Duke Peter. She believes Peter should be King. Openly dislikes Queen Raechel.

Lady Sarah O'Connars: Disgraced former Officer of the King's Maiden Guard. Now Lady In Waiting to Duchess Margaretta. Dismissed from the Maiden Guard for "An Inappropriate Relationship" with one Colonel Eboneza Ann.

Colonel Eboneza Ann: Son of a Sheep Grazier, he started is military career as an officer in the Yarra Militia. Though he is a competent officer, he is currently on "the wrong side" of the King due to an "indiscretion" with an officer of the Maiden Guard, (see notes on Lady Sarah O'Connars above).

Princess Royal, Kim Margret: First born child of old King Michael. Contributes little except for organizing the most outrageous parties in the Kingdom. Very popular at court and with the natives. Unmarried and uninterested in men, (apparently).

I hope this helps the reader.
Cheers!