Monday 26 November 2012

4 April Plymouth under seige

Maurice continues to be unopposed in the south west. Plymouth is now underseige and despite the best efforts of parliament's navy it appears that its fall is likely before the end of the month.

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Montrose captures Scotland

Glasgow has fallen under Montrose's spell and his army now holds the major city. The lowlands and highlands await his next move....

Double blow for Royalists

On 17 March Brereton marched his Parliamentary force into Shrewsbury and captured the town for the Roundheads. He is now well poised to strike at an undefended Bristol(teeming with Royalist gold) or move north to threaten Chester and Royalist links with Ireland. An even bigger blow against the Royalists was struck by Leven when the city of Newcastle surrended with honours to the Scots on 20 March. This leaves the north east of England open to a Scots invasion with a linkup with Fairfax and Manchester's forces now a real possibility.

Standoff at Reading - late March

News is filtering across the country that since mid March the King and Hopton's joint army has been attempting to get to grips with the Earl of Essex. Word is that Reading is the focal point of their campaign but snow and heavy rain have put paid to any chance of a pitched battle. Word has not been forthcoming about whether a decisive battle has yet been fought.

Friday 26 October 2012

The King's speech!

And so as the days draw longer and all manner of creatures begin to emerge from their deep winter fast we should be looking toward long days spent under the summer sun that brings ease to our tired frames longing to purge the ague of a long damp winter. But this year as last and the one before I fear we cannot allow ourselves to dream of such simple joys. The dark clouds of war remain leaden and cast over my Kingdom as if tethered by an unseen shroud that neither man nor a great multitude of beasts can shift. Of late news has spread the length and breath of the Kingdom telling of a great battle fought at Bramham between the combined forces of my Nephew Prince Rupert, and my most loyal Lord’s Byron and Newcastle. Our forces won a great victory leaving the rebel forces under the Earl of Manchester and Fairfax cowering under a bush licking their wounds and so, I’m told asking Parliament to send furniture. What manner of soldiers are they to fight with a chair leg and a carpet beater? But in less mirth I hope with all my heart that we can bring a close to the unnecessary bloodshed of this war that only Parliament seems to want to wage. Were we could sit down with good counsel and resolve matter than that the future of the Kingdom be decided by brains beaten from a brow lying spilt in the furrows of some muddy field. My Lord Hopton has certainly had the better of his old friend Sir William Waller, and their struggle to which they are undeniably chained can only emphasise the struggle we all face, not only is our Kingdom wrenched apart by the fowl smell of saltpetre but friends and worse still families now live in fear of each other. But my greatest worry of all is that this war amongst friends will not bring peace to either fraction or our Kingdom to a greater place than that from which it left and no let there be no mistaking the real beneficiaries of this ungodly struggle will be the Scots. Every hour we fight as pugilists their hodden clad mass takes its toll, have they not raped and plundered their way through our northern most lands enough already? They say they know not whom they fight for, lest they be doing the bidding of this Parliament but if the truth be out we all know who they fight for. Themselves and that alone. Great Britons, rise up, let us not fall out amongst ourselves but unite and forget such squabbles as we have had over these last years, return to merry England with the sweet smell of roses and the cross o’ St George flying high. Unite us against this heathen mass that will not stop even once it has ripped our hearts from the bosom of our lands. Be assured of this, they mean to rape and pillage until there is none left on this island but their own. Together we stand strong, let us unite and stamp upon this troublesome thistle until it is broken. Parliament on your heads and in your hands alone be the wanton destruction of this Kingdom. The Oxford army and those that march with us are of greatest resolve more so than the tapsters and tradesmen free to drink their fill in the taverns of London reading of this war if it were a play and on whom you rely to be called soldiers. No sirs god is with us and should you choose to deny the rights of the Lord God then gentlemen on your hands alone be the destruction of this great nation. Our armies have weathered the storms of winter well. Or supporters grow in number as each longer day passes and we have enjoyed our merry walks across the fields of England keeping a watchful eye on those who would do Parliament’s bidding. But soone as that strengthening sun rises higher each day drying the mud and bakes it hard to rutted waggon ways then the guns will roll once more. Be afraid Parliament of god for in his infinite wisdom there is no doubt that cometh the hour, cometh the hour when the King shall enjoy his own again. But gentlemen we are friends, there is no need for such fighting talk let us lay down our arms bore against one and other and let us together throw back the hissing, spiting, vengeful Scottish manticore. For should you not bid this, my forces rise ever stronger in the west, in the north, in the far north where a thorn grows ever sharper and yet even closer to Parliament and I shall not bid my soldiers to stop until we knock on the very doors of the house itself and then gentlemen those that are most well shod having grown fat and rich through the needs of supplies to and the spoils of this war, then those gentlemen be best running the fastest away but I fear there are not enough fields in England for them to cross and yet make distance between those themselves and those that god favours." Charles I England, March 1644

parliament's report 28 March 1644

Quarterly Report of the Committee of Both Houses This year of 1644 shows great promise for the true and glorious cause of Parliament against the King's advisors. Our allies the Scots have started thier march to the south to assist us in liberating ourselves from the yoke of the advisors oppression. Our commanders in the north, namely Manchester and Fairfax have met the enemy in battle and roundly beaten them. The junction of these combined forces will give us overwhelming superiority to the forces of our enemies and the whole of the north will flock to our banners. It will then only be a matter of time before these forces advance on the heartlands of the enemies to deliver the final blows of this war. In the south of the country we have actively harried our opponents and delivered them some mighty blows. We are still strong and have the capacity to advance upon their so called capital at Oxford when the time is right. Meanwhile our fleet is active and has swept the sea clear of royalist privateers. We control the Channel and continue to supply our forces in coastal garrisons which in turn hold down far larger forces of our enemies. In this way we weaken our foes while building up our forces under Waller and Essex to take part in what we are sure will be the final acts of this tragic war.

Published in the broadsheet " ARGUS PANOPTES

"A brief but balanced account concerning the Branham fight (3/3/1644)" " Following an overheard conversation by a French merchant (Monsr.Junot) and further discussion with the aforesaid individual it appears that Lord Newcastle's reported speech to his troops glosses over certain facts that when known give a very different slant on what actually happened at Branham on 3rd. March. While sheltering in the Golden Lion tavern at Branham, Monsr. Junot (aged 38 from Calais) had a good view of the action on the Parliamentarian left flank and left centre.He reports that he personally saw 4 Royalist regiments of Horse and 5 regiments of foot routed with heavy losses and in the process taking at least 3 other foot regiments with them. Monsr. Junot also reports seeing a high ranking officer (Newcastle?) being carried from the field on a litter. Monsr. Junot is of the firm opinion that it was only advent of nightfall that prevented the total destruction of the remaining Royalist troops by the Parliamentary troops (who had only suffered light losses). Monsr. Junot made one final point about the outcome of the fight which was that it was the Royalist army that withdrew, under the cover of night, to Weatherby and subsequently to the safety of York's wall, while Parliament remained at Branham at least until it became obvious that the Royalists would not be coming back for more. Good reader we here at the "Argus" strive to provide the truth about this calamitous civil war and hope this account from a "neutral" source has helped you all to make your own mind up who "won" the Battle of Branham.

The Kirk's rallying cry

Scottish people, in the past few days, very bad news has come for You. The treacherous Marquis of Montrose has raised their arms against the true protestant faith and against his land itself. Allying with our ancestral enemy, the King of England, and with his eyes blinded by his ambition, he raised an army and marched against his fatherland. He take, thanks to surprise and brutal strenght, the city of Glasgow, where the few defenders are forced to leave to save our population from a blood bath and from destruction. Now, scottish people, the true faith and your lives are in great perilous. We call you, Scottish People, to flow to the flags of the Kirk to defend what your ancestors Robert The Bruce and Wallace has gained for you with their lives !! We call you, Scottish people, to raise your weapons against the traitors and the invaders, to claim the indipendence of scotland !! We are sure that you, the people of Scotland, you will know how to punish the traitors, and with God on your side, reaffirm the glory and independence of Scotland. The elders of the kirk.

20 March 1644

News is filtering through of momentous events across the land. The Scots have seized Newcastle after the captain defending the city accepted terms allowing his men to march out bearing arms- and so avoid unnecessary bloodshed. About the same time further north, Montrose was accepting the surrender of Glasgow as the merchants in the lightly defended city prevailed on him and his mainly English army to avoid spilling Scots blood. In Shrewsbury the undefended Royalist town was seized in a daring raid by Brereton. His next move in the largely quiet areas of the west midlands and cheshire or gloucestershire are awaited with interest

Wednesday 3 October 2012

9 March in Scotland

The Royal Standard was raised at Dumfries by Montrose. His army of 5000 men marches on Glasgow... or so they say The Declaration: Scots, I am now in arms for his Majesty on the same principle as I have been in arms for the Covenant: for the defence and maintenance of the true Protestant religion, his Majesty's just and sacred authority, the fundamental laws and privileges of Parliament, the peace and freedom of the oppressed and enthralled subject. Knew I not perfectly his Majesty's intentions to be such, and so real as is already expressed, I should never have embarked myself at all in his service. Nor, did I but see the least appearance of his Majesty's change from these resolutions or any of them, I should never continue longer my faithful endeavour in it. James Graham, Marquess of Montrose, Earl of Kincairn, Lord Græme, Baron of Montdeu, Lieutenant-Governor and Captain-General for His Majesty of the kingdom of Scotland Montrose

Friday 21 September 2012

The Battle of Bramham

Rports are coming through on the Battle at Bramham. 3.3.1644 After the Royalists retook Selby, march and counter march took place until Fairfax and Manchester chose Bramham near Wetherby to await an attack by Rupert, Newcastle and Byron. 12,000 men on each side stood to arms After a brief lull to dress ranks, the battle commenced at 2pm with a slow and cautious advance across the line by the Royalists. the Roundheads stood and awaited the attack. The Cavaliers made heavy weather of clearing the central and left flank woods. Their dragoons are currently fleeing from the large wood on the left, musketeers are fighting some commanded shot but not being able to force their way through. In the central wood it is the same story with 200 commanded shot holding up 500 Royalists. To the Royalist right of the central wood, newcastle and Byron have been trying to launch a coordinated foot and horse attack. A foot firefight has seen Talbots regiment rout, with Dacre’s also on the verge of collapse. The parliamentary regiment of Walton was shot and routed though. It will remain to the remaining second line Royalist foot to hold off any Parliamentary advance. However on the far Royalist right the round head regiment of Crawford was shot and routed leaving a hole in the roundhead line. But the royalist loss of Mylot’s horse has balanced things there somewhat. This flank remains very much in the balance. Royalist horse are due to charge in during the next quarter of an hour. Things are also uncertain on the royalist left of the central wood. Royalist infantry are outnumbered and losing the firefight and it remains for the best three regiments of Newcastle’s horse to charge roundhead foot in the next quarter of an hour. The result of this charge could decide the fate of the roundheads on the royalist left. In the gap between woods on the royalist far left Rupert has taken the cream of the royalist cavalry and is about to charge through the tight gap into a solid line of parliamentary horse. Numbers favour the roundheads but quality favours the Prince. It’s 3.45pm and all along the line battle is about to be joined in hand to hand combat........ Photos and further reports to follow.. altho i fear it will be sunday when the battle will be able to be concluded. any further orders do let me know but i suspect the die is cast Darkness will begin to fall between 5 and 6pm so there remains an hour an a half of fighting to gain a result before both sides will break off I fear the next hour will however decide the fate of both armies 4pm On the royalist left Rupert’s gallant charge has not yet effected a breakthrough. parliamentary horse is wobbling but sheer numbers, in a tight space between the woods, are meaning they are holding on- leaving events elsewhere to decide the day. To the right of the inner left flank wood royalist horse has burst through and is into the last line of defence against some poor foot and the last reserves of roundhead cavalry... however royalist foot in this sector is outnumbered and outgunned and is going down... on the royalist far right tempest’s foot burst through only to be routed by cromwells last reserve cavalry unit. Newcastle himself joined tempests to help win the day but instead was wounded and had to be helped from the battlefield. charges and pursuits are many in this sector, royalist foot is wobbling but decisive charges are bout to happen the day looks like it is swinging the roundhead way but there is still much fighting to be done and whoever wins it looks like any pursuits will be limited by the darkness and fatigue 4.15pmruperts cavalry begin to effect a breakthrough on their left when the roundhead general boynton is wounded and all the roundhead cavalry disrupt in consequence. on the royalist right cavalier cavalry breakthough too. However counterattacks in the centre mean these victories are hard fought and may not be enough to hold back the now advancing roundheads. the next half an hour will decide whether there is a decisive outcome. more royalist than roundheads seem to be leaving the field 4.30pm well the end game is approaching the royalist infantry have collapsed in the centre and they have just a few remnants holding up the roundheads. The royalist cavalry on the right is pulling back to cover any retreat. on the left however Rupert’s cavalry have broken through and beginning to try chase down the remaining roundhead cavalry half an hour to go before it gets dark so things look nearly done! 5pm and darkness falls its all over looks like rupert’s cavalry swept the left flank and into the parliamentary rear too late ! the royalist centre fled but was covered but some stable foot regiments together with the remnants of newcastle’s horse will finalise the write up tomorrow and leave you to decide what happens next... but its dark but in the gloom it appears Fairfax and newcastle’s armies have been badly mauled. Both sides break contact and retreat, The Royalists to Wetherby and Roundheads to just south of Bramham battle photos are on my new flickr account – you may need to start at the last photo as i cant work out how to get views from the first pic http://www.flickr.com/photos/1644campaign/

from Newcastle's bed in York 9 March

A proclamation at York to the Royalist army there... Brave fellows, the king is grateful for your service in the victory at Bramham, on the third of this month. It was only nightfall that prevented Rupert from delivering Fairfax and Manchester to us in entirety. Although it fell to you men to endure the worst of the enemy’s work, do not be dispirited: you held well, against greater numbers, and if God chose nightfall to spare the traitors to their king the ultimate sentence it is surely only to give us another chance to gain even greater glory Newcastle

Friday 14 September 2012

Selby changes hands again 1 March 1644

After the Roundhead storming of Selby under Fairfax, the Royalists in York marched cautiously to the town. Byron led and was supported by Newcastle At first light on the morning of 1 March Fairfax received the summons to surrender from Byron. Barracades and defences were made ready to withstand a siege but straightaway the Roundhead troops filed out of the town on the other side of the river from the Royalists. A daring overnight Royalist cavalry overnight failed to show as hoped for on the south of the town so the retreat of the parliament forces was not noticed immediately. By late morning Royalist cavalry entered the town from the south and eventually alerted the embarrased Byron and Newcastle north of the river. Through a fantastic feat of marching Fairfax's troops marched into Wetherby on the evening of 1 Mmarch- almost 17 miles in one day. It is thought that Royalist cavalry was just few miles behind - leaving the main Royalist army at Selby to ponder its next move.

Tuesday 21 August 2012

York running low on supplies...

It's been several weeks since York played host to the armies of Newcastle and Byron. Rumour has it that supplies in the town are being depleted rapidly leaving some troops to go hungry and dissatisfaction begin to spread through the ranks of troops and local residents alike.... It does not appear that the lords Newcastle or Byron are going hungry yet though!

Scots take Berwick late Feb

In clear skies, Scots cavalry advanced to Berwick reaching the environs on late 22 Feb. The main Scots army advanced from Eyemouth on 24 Feb yet marched in such a disorganised fashion that they did not arrive in good order until 27 feb. Some troops took up positions north of the town whilst others marched west to seek a river crossing. They finished the 29 feb 5 miles west of the town, south of the Tweed. The army was unable to find any suitable places east of the town to camp. The artillery formed up in two Batteries opposite the North gates of the town. On the 28 Feb a message was sent into Berwick offering free passage southwards. The garrison commander seeing that all attempts at resistance would be futile, duly sent a message out at dusk on the 29 Feb saying he would surrender the town as long as the trained band within the town were allowed to return to their homes within the town without duress. The gates would be open at dawn on 1 March to allow the Scots passage through the town.

Rupert and Manchester miss their chance at Newark 20/21 Feb

Vermuyden's Rgt. of Roundhead Horse patrolled south of Newark came across a small Royalist cavalry force advancing north at Radcliffe on Trent on the 20 feb. After brief skirmishing the Royalist cavalry grew in considerable number with several regiments marching into view. Parliament's cavalry pulled back and throughout the 21 feb were pushed further north until they took safety and retreated into Leadenham on the 21. They were not pursued past Newark but the size of force implied it was Rupert in person who had marched into Newark. Rupert chose not to pursue the Parliamntary cavalry passed Newark. Instead he marched off north. Had he pushed East he would have located Manchester's main army just a few miles from Newark. Had Manchester been more confident and aggressive he could have pinned Rupert's men at Newark..... missed chances on both sides!!

Earl of Essex fails to take Reading 22 Feb

The Earl of Essex arrived with his parliamentary army outside Reading on 22 Feb Despite being heavily outnumbered and his men urging him 9:1 to surrender, the garrison commander decided to defy the odds and haughtily rejected Essex'x offer of surrender and the honours of war. His men busied themselves in strengthening the defences and awaited Essex's next move. Uncertainty spread through the Roundhead ranks. It was unclear whether an assault was planned or not. Eventually after a day's delay Essex's main body marched away towards Henley leaving a regiment of foot and horse to shield Reading on its east side

The fall of Selby 23 feb

Fairfax's army arrived at Selby in North Yorkshire south of York on 23 Feb.Selby was held by only 400 Royalists so the town was assaulted straight away. Fighting lasted most of the day and casualties taken on all sides. Fairfax lost 600 men. But, eventually the Royalist trained bands were overcome and serious slaughter took place. The Roundheads also had to fight off Goring’s cavalry regiment sent from York to see what was going on. They retired north as night fell.

Wooler sacked 20 Feb

Scots forces put the English border town of Wooler to fire and sword on 20 Feb... a taste of things to come?

Battle of Winchester 28 Feb

Waller’s Roundhead army marched out of Farnham on 22 feb and marched through Alton to New Alresford. The outskirts of Winchester were reached on the evening of 27 Feb. The town was already in a state of readiness as Hopton's Royalist army was almost ready to march out of the town anyway. Lack of scouting though meant Hopton was taken by suprise. Dawn on the 28 feb saw Waller attempt a surprise attack on Winchester. Hopton's men were completely thrown off guard and the surprise assault saw Waller’s troops gain entry to the town. However victory was within his grasp when one final sortie by the Royalists pushed his troops back out of the town and outside the town walls. The attack came within a miniscule of succeeding but in the event Hopton held out and the town remained in Royalist hands. Much powder was used in the fight. Waller’s losses amounted to almost half his army, 3000, in injury death and desertions following his assualt. Royalist casualties were less severe with around 400 dead and injured. Both sides spent the 29 feb licking their wounds.

Poole falls 23 Feb

Maurice and his Royalist army besiged Poole in Dorset in mid Feb . After besieging the town Maurice made a daring offer to a roundhead officer in the town - money and freedom in return for opening the gates to the town. The officer reseived the offer on 22 Feb but was uncertain. He stood on the battlements torn by his conscience not knowing which way to turn. He could not decide whether to betray the town or take the money and flee the country. He decided to trust God and place his fate in the throw of a coin. He tossed it in the air, if it landed with the Kings head face upward he would know he was meant to side with the King and open the town gates and deliver the town to Maurice’s men stood outside. The coin flew high in the air, twisting and turning and fell to the floor. Maurice spied the movement and wondered what was happening. He realized a coin was falling and guessed which way up it had fallen…. He chose heads and wondered what it meant. A few hours later he received a message from the officer asking him to send troops to the town gates and they would be opened for them At dawn on the 23 feb maurice’s men marched to the gates to find them open. They charged in to catch the defenders off guard. After much fierce fighting the town was taken. The unnamed officer received his reward and then intended to slip away into the English channel heading for France. However Maurice had other plans and the officer was intercepted on his way to the sea side and not seen again. As word spread through the town of this act of ungentlemanly conduct Maurice’s men grew restless and many decided to desert and leave for home. Fighting losses were 700 for Maurice’s men and 300 deserting in disgust The 2000 troops holding Poole for parliament were either killed or routed from the town and have scattered as a fighting force.

Sunday 22 July 2012

News to 14 February 1644


In the north the Scots advance on England is extremely slow. Heavy snow and rain impedes movement but eventually the army arrives in Eyemouth close to Berwick. The Marquess of Newcastle has sat quivering in York awaiting the Scots. His army has been swelled by reinforcements drawn from Newcastle and Derby.

In early Feb Byron’s army also arrived in York, swelling the troop count but also rapidly depleting food stocks in the area.

Fairfax and the Earl of Manchester have been content to let their men rest in winter quarters in Lincolnshire, although some troop movements have been made east from Lancashire. Parliamentary cavalry has also roamed unthreatened across East Yorkshire.

In the Midlands Rupert has marched east with a strong cavalry force and was last seen in Loughborough.  

The Earl of Essex has left his troops in winter quarters at Windsor leaving the King to march his troops from Oxford northwards to Coventry.

In the south east Waller for Parliament and Hopton for the King have both been content to keep their troops in winter quarters.

Prince Maurice in the south west had a spat with his brother Rupert but backed down and sent 2000 cavalry northwards rather than into Devon and Cornwall. Maurice’s army was gathered slowly from varying towns and was around Salisbury by 14 Feb.

 The weather has been mixed meaning that roads are muddy and marching times extremely difficult to predict. The trained bands in many areas have refused to leave the comfort of their homes despite the best entreaties of their lords and generals.   

29 Feb

The sack of Wooler on 22 Feb was a terrible thing to see. Those Scots are making things miserable for the border towns as they rape and pillage southward.

In the south, the Earl of Essex's army is at Reading, Parliamentary forces are in Knottingley in West Yorkshire and Selby too. Prince Maurice sits outside Poole with a substantial army. There are rumours of Irish reinforcements for the King landing in Devon.

The King's army appears to be at Banbury in the midlands
Little has been seen or heard of Fairfax or the Earl of Manchester's men.

24 Feb update

News is filtering across the land that the main Scots army is at Eyemouth just outside Berwick.

Byron and Newcastle appear to have 15,000 men under arms at York and have been in York since mid Feb

The Earl of Essex's army is at Reading

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Tavern talk

Recently overheard in a midlands tavern

Is there any clarification from my spies that Essex has moved SW from Windsor to Reading but thence to London docks?

Thursday 12 July 2012

meeting of the 3 generals in York mid feb

Rumours are spreading across the country of a meeting of three important Royalist leaders in York during mid February. The only quote overheard from the meeting so far is

"Ok, so three commanders, three different plans preferred.... almost
inevitable!"

Wednesday 11 July 2012

News to 21 january 1644

Terrible weather has made marching conditions extremely difficult. The Scots army remained bogged down in snow drifts somewhere in Scotland. In the north little seemed to stir except Byron took several thousand men from Chester and marched slowly through the peak district.
In the East Midlands, Fairfax and Manchester lay low but sent cavalry patrols north and west.
Maurice took several thousand cavalry south from Shrewsbury.

Elsewhere troops shivered and waited. And ships risked sailing north into the Scottish highlands and islands....

Saturday 7 July 2012

Revenue coming in....

It appears that the Royalist towns of Bristol, Newcastle, York, Newark, Chester, Oxford and Exeter hold the key to their morale and revenue.

Parliamentary towns of  Manchester, Northampton, London, Hull, Plymouth and Portsmouth also appear to have similar importance.

Irish support for the King

News is filtering through that Irish reinforcements are making their way across the channel into Devon and Cheshire; with Bristol and Chester being their points of arrival.

Thursday 28 June 2012

News to 14 Jan filtering through

As events reach mid February, news is spreading across all England about what happened in the first couple of weeks in January.

The calamitous Scots started the new year in  a debacle. It took a week to muster their army and when it began to march south the generals insisted upon marching through blizzards. The roads became quite impassable and the army was last seen billeted in makeshift tents on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

Parliamentary armies around Lincoln (Fairfax), Boston (Manchester), Windsor (Essex) and Farnham(Waller) have all been quiet with only small patrols pressing on through wind and snow.

In the North West the stout Royalist Byron force-marched his army passed hostile towns in the blinding snow to reach the midlands.

Maurice in Shrewsbury was thought to be heading south towards Gloucester yet his brother Rupert was seen heading north towards Shrewsbury with a picked band of horsemen. Hopton in the south east remained in quarters as did the King's forces around Oxford.

Parliamentary stronholds of Gloucester, Poole, Lyme and Plymouth remain under light seiges.

Montrose spent the new year whispering in the King's ear and was last seen boarding a ship at Bristol accompanied by gold and powder.

The terrible weather has made marching and the transmittion of news extremely difficult.      

Friday 15 June 2012

more january news

It appears Maurice left Shrewsbury with an army early in the month, marching south through rain and snow. Parliamentary troops under seige at Glouceser haven't seen any new arrivals in the area though.

Wednesday 13 June 2012

31 january

Well, the weather has been terrible across the Kingdom. Snow and rain have continued for the last two weeks making marching and even the transmitting of messages extremely difficult.

News is taking time to filter round the country. The Scots are quiet. becalmed by the snow drifts?
Rumours reach all corners of the Kingdoms about Montrose taking ship from Bristol in mid January.

And Byron has bravely taken his army out from Chester and heading south east bypassing Parliamentary held towns and braving the rough weather.

It is also rumoured that a strong force of horse led by Rupert has headed north from Bristol.   

Tuesday 22 May 2012

1 January 1644

There are clear skies across Scotland and the north. The Midlands and south west sees rain fall yet the south east is clear too. Messengers are seen leaving Oxford and London heading to all parts of the country.

Monday 21 May 2012

1644 Campaign underway

We have 14 players from around the world playing the game from 1 January 1644. More info to follow shortly.