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!

The Yarra Militia takes delivery of a New Colour!

Hi Folks

The CO of the Yarra Militia has just taken delivery of two; (count them; 2) new Regimental Colours.

In true Militia tradition he has asked the troops to vote on which "Colour" they want to carry.

Please cast your vote for either:

A) The RED flag,

or

B) The BLUE flag.

You can see the Regiment in question HERE!

THANKS!!!

(Vote by place in comment simply saying "BLUE" or "RED".

The Army Flags: Part Two (The Militia)

Where as the Royal Army has set regulations for it's Colours, the Militia has taken a very liberal approach to the procurement if it's flags.
Basically the design of the flags are approved by the Regimental CO, with final approval to come from the King. This is rarely done however, with the King often seeing a particular Militia Regiment's flag for the first time when either conducting an inspection or on the field of battle!
Militia Regiments carry only one flag, a "Regimental" or "Colonel's" Colour.
Flags are often designed by an individual from the regiment, (and sometimes the wife of the CO, RSM, 2IC etc). Occasionally they are a collective effort, such as the Clairmont Militia's Regimental Colour. Their colour was selected by vote after the CO ran a compitition. The Best design (as voted on by the Officers and RSM) would earn the budding "Artist" an extra seven rations of Rum!
Consequently some of the most bizarre and / or impressive flags belong to the Militia Regiments.
Example of some are below:

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)

A New Church Proclamation?

(Left: The Prophet bearing the Latest Proclamation)

Queen Raechel and the Church Prophet were relaxing in the West Wing of the Royal Palace.
"It is so nice of you to visit Prophet, I do wish we could see more of you, other than just on Sundays".
"I also wish we could see more of The King and Your Majesty.
The Queen offered The Prophet a slice of Lamington.
"So what brings you from the Temple to the Palace"?
The Prophet placed the half eaten cake on it's plate down on the delicate table and leaned forward.
"Ma'am, I have had discussions with the Church Council, and sought guidance through pray on the matter of plural marriage. It is of the opinion of the Church; nay, I shall go further and stress, we are directed by our Heavenly Father that the practice is to cease".
The Queen shifted in her chair:
"Oh, I see. Have you spoken to the King of this"?
The Prophet sat back:
"Not yet Ma'am, I thought it best I speak with you on the matter before hand".
The Queen understood immediately where the Prophet was going with this:
"Hmmmm,.. I see. I suppose you think the King is more likely to receive this news more favorably from me"?
"I do believe that together the proposition will be better received if delivered from your mouth. Either way, in the end the will of our Heavenly Father must be obeyed".
The Queen rose from her seat:
"Please come walk with me Prophet", they both headed out towards the Memorial Garden. The Queen spoke as they walked:
"Politically this could cause issues for the King. The vast majority of the people will support this proposition, as the men of the poor and middle classes as a rule have, and can only afford, one wife. The Nobility however might be an issue. As you know, many have three or four wives".
The Prophet nodded in agreement:
"I understand Ma'am, but there is no room for compromise. As you are aware the Church has complete freedom to make it's own Proclamations. I bring this to you only as the support of the Crown on this matter will make the news more,.. urm, acceptable".
The Queen stopped and sat near the large Gum Tree that dominated the Garden:
"We will take the news to the King tomorrow then. Can you be here for lunch"?
"Yes Ma'am".
"Fine then, tomorrow at lunch then".

TO BE CONTINUED

Mormoan Militia: Part 1 (continued)

The Van Demon's Land Legion: Like many nations everywhere, The Holy Mormoan Kingdom of New Wales authorized the raising of Militia units, (Regiments, Battalions, Legions etc) very early in their history. The unit we will look at today is the Van Demon Legion

NAME: The Van Demon's Land Legion
Date Raised: 21 March 1731

MOTTO: "Ready, Aye, Ready"
Unofficial Motto: "The Good Die Young".
Nicknames:"The Demons", "and “The Devil's Parrots"
Battle Honours: "Cadbury Hill 1733", "Launceston 1734", "Van Demon's Land Campaign" .
Brief History: In 1730 King Michael sent his Brother, Grand Duke Colin with 3000 subjects and 500 troops to establish 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. The 500 troops Grand Duke took with him were predominantly men that had recently arrived from the “Old World” (the British Nth American colonies). These men, (and their families), were keen to prove their worth . As we know, these men formed the Clairmont Militia

Grand Duke Colin soon realised that a second Regiment would be required, and proclaimed that "A body of fine young men is required to be raised to assist in the protection of the Island Colony of Van Demon's Land".

Consequently the Legion was raised from the sons of those men who were serving in the Clairmont Militia, (and had been to young to join at the time of that regiments formation), and young gentry who had sailed to Van Demon's Land several months later in search of land to make their own.

As a result the average age of the "Rank and File" was quite young, (only 18 years).

Also, there was initially a shortage of uniforms and weapons, so they had to initially drill with spears! Additionally the only coats they initially could get were made from green cloth and quite large, as they were originally meant for the Clairmont Militia, who rejected them in favour of their Brown uniforms.

When the unit drilled or performed "exercises" (manouvers) the soldiers were often mocked by the "old Hands" in the Clairmont Militia; "This island is to small for two Regiments, and you parrots are too small for our hand-me-down coats"!!!

This is why the "Parrots" are a Legion. Their CO, an young officer named Daniel Dunbar replied one morning whislt they drilled, "Those old farts are right, this island is indeed to small for another Regiment, but we are a Legion"!!!

Like the Clairmont Militia, This Regiment fought at relief of Fort Clairmont in 1735, where they supported the Clairmont Militia well, but as they didn't fire a single shot, this isn't a Battle Honour for them.

Regimental anecdotes and traditions:

The first time the Legion saw action was at Cadbury hill when they were marching with the Maiden Guard, but somewhat to the rear. When the Natives attacked the Adjutant of the Maiden Guard rode up to the Legion an exclaimed, "The Maiden's are engaging the natives, will the Legion be able to support us"?

Major Dunbar replied "Aye Ma'am, we are ready! The good die young"!

Drummers in the Legion wear "Reversed Colours" as seen below: