Nunney Castle in Somerset (and more)

While en route to see family in the county of Somerset, Chris and I stopped off at Nunney Castle (DEC 28). This small castle, more accurately a keep, was built shortly after 1375, when King Edward the IIIrd granted permission to a Sir John Delamare to reconstruct and fortify his manor house. This knight had served in France during the Hundred Years War. After several family changes, it passed to the Prater family, who remained Roman Catholic, and loyal to the House of Stuart during the English Civil War. It was during this conflict that the castle was besieged and captured by Parliamentary troops. The Praters returned with the Restoration. There were plans to hold French prisoners of war there during the French Revolutionary Wars, 1789-1802. But by 1910 it was in a very bad way, and part of a outer wall actually collapsed! By 1922 it was under the care of the government, and later English Heritage.

I must say, although a ruin, this castle still has a lot of mystique. Unfortunately, the moat bridge is considered unsafe so internal views are presently prohibited. Not sure close-up photos are that important, it is the landscape view which is memorable. This attraction (and carpark) is free to the general public to visit.

In the quaint village of Nunney is the All Saints Anglican Church, which was built in the 12th century. It replaced a Norman church, which had replaced one which was Saxon, from which some items have survived. Sir John Delamare is buried in the church.

🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡🛡

RECENT ACQUISITIONS

Popped into my local collectables shop on December 30. Wasn't really expecting to find anything so soon after Christmas...... I was wrong. Could not resist these American Civil War figures. I have still to find out who produced the metal Confederate officer, and would welcome opinions. While the four artillerymen are plastic Britains. The price was £5 for the mounted, and £15 for the four gun crew. Not cheap, but I wanted them!

These figures are always useful as they can stand in for Italian, French or Danish gunners. I will tidy up the boot paintwork, but otherwise leave them as they are. 

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

ANTIQUE TIN SHIPS

While researching ideas for my retro fleet of gunboats, I came across an auction house listing for a large collection of tin or base-metal ships. Not sure of their date but suspect they were made between 1870 to 1910, and very likely German. While my instinct is always to restore, I'm drawn to the simple but attractive paintwork, and muse at the games they participated in over a century ago. 

I'm seriously tempted to reproduce some of these for my wargames, using plasticard or wood.

(Photos For Educational Purposes only, no profit)

The naval crew have hanging tassels at the back of their hats, so probably German or Russian. I do like this toy, deserves to be reproduced.

Another of the same, so mass produced.

And again.

You often see weaponry like this, at first I thought they were guns, but they are probably early torpedo tubes!

Worth noting how many of the ships are designed to ram the enemy.

I'm assuming this is a Russian flag.

Could this be a Japanese flag? They do have the appearance of ships in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5.

Just imagine what these toys looked like when they were new!

MGB

⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓

REPLYING TO COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS

Hello Donnie. I just love the archaic look of the tin gunboats. Have already decided to make a plasticard reproduction of number three, the troop carrier. I can see this being very useful in amphibious landings. The original carries ten, mine must carry a full battalion of twelve. It can then serve with at least five mid-19th century armies.

Hello Roger. It really is a nice castle to visit, probably even more so in the summer. I said to Chris, would have liked to have spent some time in the very attractive village, but we were en route to nearby Frome. Hope to make a second visit. The Confederate officer would pass as a Danish militia officer as some of their militia units wore grey in the mid-19th century, and the kepi was a popular headdress while on active service. I'm hoping to stage another 1848 Schleswig game soon.

WOW, Brad. I have viewed Gisbert Freber's site, which is devoted to Theodor Krause, Gotha tin and lead collectables. I noted the company made 1870s French and German infantry in 20mm, 45mm, and 60mm. The toys are pure magic. To see them is like stepping back in time. Concerning the troop carrier, I have decided to augment my reconstruction with some bolder artwork, and some internal detail. But it must remain appropriate for any nationality, and still claim its 'pedigree' or inspiration. (For purposes of education, some photos from Mr Freber's site, and a link.)

https://www.gisbert-freber.de/krause/

DOMINION WARGAME (Played DEC 24)

Followers of this blog will be aware that posts on the Dominion War (the fictitious American invasion of Canada in 1890) had gone quiet. The main reason was the United States and the British Empire had reached a campaign stalemate, neither wishing to risk a major action. The United States was in control of that part of Ontario adjacent to Detroit, but the Empire had successfully held on to Toronto, Montreal and Quebec. In British Columbia, the city of Vancouver was being besieged, but very unlikely to fall. While Ottawa had been evacuated by the Americans, its occupation having proved of little strategic value. The Royal Navy was still dominating the East and West sea lanes from North America, and had even secured southern Alaska and the coast of Maine, but it was stretched to the extreme. The entry of France and Spain, for their own motives, had not developed into an official alliance with the Empire, but it had seen the Spanish Crown reclaim Florida. However, France was now unhappy with its progress, and was willing to vacate the conflict if suitably remunerated, by anyone!

The US President was now willing to negotiate a peace treaty with the Empire which would recognise the pre-war borders, although he demanded a non-militarised zone should operate on the Canadian side, and no compensation would be recognised for war damages done during the invasion of Canada, 

These terms might seem unfavourable for the Empire, but the Imperial staff were all too aware that the American navy was increasing, the blockading Royal Navy was needing a serious refit, and the enormous natural resources and population of the United States could not be matched in Canada. And there were other risks to be considered. For example, the Indian Empire army looked good on paper but only one third was considered reliable enough for service elsewhere, another third were only suitable for protecting the borders of India, and the remaining third were exotic titled regiments of armed policemen.  

With all this to consider, the Imperial Staff concluded that the Empire should try and break through the American fortified lines in southern Ontario, and liberate the town of London. This would provide a good backdrop for peace negotiations. 

SCENARIO

In Lower Ontario two opposing lines of fortifications had been developing. Both stretched for miles, and were well adorned with batteries of guns. While to the rear of these defensive works, brigades of infantry and cavalry were encamped, ready to provide support.

Those new fangled flying machines had made an appearance.

THE ARTILLERY DUEL 

At 10am the Empire lines opened up on their American counterparts. MOVE ONE Yes, yes, yes... an Empire siege gun scored a D6, a hit on an American siege gun, and again, D6, the gun exploded, and again, D6, the five crew were taken out. What a start!!!!!! I normally play simultaneous fire for large games, so this gun was allowed to return fire. (Small or skirmish games work best with dice to see who may fire first.)

MOVE TWO One Empire casualty. MOVE THREE Empire aircraft dropped a bomb on an American field gun, knocking it out! MOVE FOUR Nothing. MOVE FIVE Empire aircraft took out a heavy gun. MOVE SIX Some casualties on Empire gun crews. MOVES SEVEN and EIGHT Some casualties on American gun crews. The Empire guns are totally dominating! MOVE NINE to TWELVE. Hardly a casualty, although a local church roof was damaged. But the artillery duel was over, and it was clear who had won.

United States losses, twelve gunners, one siege gun, one heavy gun, one medium gun. (Two units were lost.) Empire losses, five gunners, all guns still operational.  

THE ASSAULT 

With the cessation in artillery fire unemployed American artillerymen reinforced those guns still operational. While alarm bells rallied troops in the rear to take up frontline positions. All were aware this was no random artillery bombardment. And sure enough, red lines began to appear from the opposing fortifications, and bagpipes were clearly heard.

MOVE THIRTEEN and FOURTEEN saw some casualties on both sides from artillery fire and air support. With so many close order troops it was rather likely! 

MOVE FIFTEEN Yes, it looks suspicious, but it happened. The two 'roving' cannon (toy tanks) had been targeting each other. Then the Empire vehicle threw three D6, job done! But then the US aircraft retaliated with a direct hit on the Empire supper-siege howitzer, gone! MOVE SIXTEEN An American field howitzer was destroyed. MOVE SEVENTEEN and EIGHTEEN Small arms fire began to come into range. The Empire Roving Cannon suffered its third casualty, and stopped roving. 

As is usual in my games, you just can't help directing gun fire at your opponents artillery.... but this had allowed the Empire troops to advance across the open ground fairly unscratched.

MOVE NINETEEN Empire troops silenced a gun crew and crossed the enemy lines. Some soldiers even entered a few houses in London.

MOVE TWENTY Empire troops secured most of London. And they were certain to capture the American left flank, including the last operational artillery piece, a super siege howitzer. I felt this solo game had achieved a result. The Americans were granted full honours to depart the field, which included the right to remove their super siege howitzer and an unmanned field howitzer. Had I been playing an opponent, this game could have carried on for another three or four moves. Perhaps the Americans, with some luck, might have broken the Empire main assault on their right, but their left flank was fully turned. In my opinion, concluding on move twenty indicated an Empire victory.

CASUALTIES

The official game casualties were as follows. Americans totalled thirty-five (four American campaign units being deleted). Empire losses were nineteen (for one Empire unit). This excludes the losses from the earlier artillery duel. It was really quite uncanny just how many D6's the Empire side ended up getting! Give or take a figure, both armies started off with the same numbers, and weight of ordnance. And the Americans also had the advantage of defending 'declared' positions.  

RESULT

The Americans withdrew, but are not fully driven out of Canada. They are now establishing posts at Chatham and also at Sarnia. The Swiss Government is organising a conference to include representatives of the Empire and the United States. 

MGB

🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅 

                                         REPLYING TO FRIENDS COMMENTING BELOW

Hello Quinn, nice to hear from you. In the last six months the main addition to my traditional toy gaming has been the participation of aircraft, and the simplistic paper bombs...... great fun! A Happy New Year to you and your family. And all our kinsfolk in Australia. 

Hello Donnie. No way am I going to miss an opportunity to include biplanes in a wargame, lol. The break from dice throws to dropping paper bombs is hilarious..... and truly primitive, in a good sense. Have a great New Year!

Hello Tony. It was fun, but it lacked the fortified house element, which is a feature which always sparks my interest. But still nice to take out the old glory toy soldiers.... traditional lead. Best Wishes for the New Year!

Hello MJT. Looking at the Dominion campaign maps, I was genuinely fearful of attempting a major expedition as a defeat could leave adjacent territory open to a counter expedition. For example, had the Empire lost this wargame, with heavy casualties, it WOULD have left Toronto open to a counter-attack. So my answer was to leave both sides inactive. The only reason why the US hasn't swamped Canada with armies is the fear of Royal Navy coastal raids! But a major naval action near the Chesapeake is becoming more and more likely....... just requiring good weather conditions. This naval action will determine the outcome. Or, a peace treaty is agreed (by dice), very risky. Happy New Year!

Hello Brad. I think it is fair to admit, I want more planes, tanks, and ships in my 54mm gaming. They are such a compliment to shiny lead toy soldiers. I now feel paper bombs are on a par with matchstick firing cannon.... magic. (I picked up some more plasticard from a model shop in the town of Frome yesterday. More on this in my next post.) I do hope next year furnishes you with some happier home memories. Very Best Wishes.

Thank you Roger. I've had a fair break from my DOMINION campaign, so it was nice to see the British and American collections back on the table. I should also mention, my American army c1890 is in transition, from being a mixture of plastic and lead regiments, many are now home-cast pewter. A happy New Year to you and yours. 

That's very kind, Mark. I genuinely wanted to see the bold coloured figures back on the table. And putting off a Dominion wargame was not an option, regardless of the campaign risks. As it happens, the dice made it very clear who was the victor. Thinking about it, had the Empire lost, the Americans would have had a clear path to take Toronto. Most of the Empire unit-points were taken from the Toronto garrison. However, this game saw the Empire lose only one point, while the Americans suffered six points. This will actually balance out the numbers operating in southern Ontario...... but the Americans do seem to always raise new recruits! (Units, including artillery, that lose 60% are removed from the campaign, some 50% units can be amalgamated.)