"Norman Conquest of Southern Italy and Sicily" Topic

Howdy,

Southern Italy and Sicily … some illustrations and photos for an article I'm writing on Norman activities in the 11th Century Southern Italy and Sicily. The article provides a historical overview, and a scenario for "So Convenient for Hewing."

Should be fun.

Ponder on,

JAS

Interesting period

This is one of the periods upon which I concentrate. I have a number of units of Normans, Lombards, Muslims, and Byzantines in 15mm size.

I also have a number of 25mm size figures that are individually based. A description of your rule set would be beneficial prior to ordering them.

Thanks,

Jim

More info on the scenario could be interesting too. : )

Howdy,

A brief commercial and description of the mechanisms of play: The rules So Convenient for Hewing can be ordered from Lulu, are for Dark Age skirmish gaming. Six sided dice (d6) are used to resolve combat and morale. Units typically consist of from 4 to 12 miniature figures, individually based, and each unit rated as Green, Warrior, or Veteran. Veteran units get two command chits, Warrior units, one, and Green units, none. Thus, Green units are dependent on Senior Leaders to act. Senior Leaders get two command chits, and can activate a nearby unit.

Command chits are spent each turn to perform actions. The order of actions is dependent on the Action Deck. This makes the order of action each turn, unique and unpredictable. Cards drawn from the Action Deck determine the order and type of action. Action Cards include Move, Shoot, Charge, and Rally with additional cards for Free Choice of Action, and End-of-Turn. There are two of each card in the Action Deck, shown as Red and Blue, showing which side acts first on a given card. On a given Action Card, the opposing sides alternate action (i.e., spending command chits) until both pass in sequence.

A game turn ends when both sides agree, or when the second End-of-Turn card is drawn. Both sides would typically agree to end the turn when both have exhausted the command chits.

The scenario is a raid, the Normans must pillage and make off with Lombard cattle. There are several posts with AAR's with rules, down the queue, in the Dark Age Message and Medieval Battle Reports lists here on TMP. Most recently for the Musket Mod (still being playtested), showing a Frontier Skirmish.

Ponder on,

JAS

Long ago I read a book on this very subject by John Julius Norwich. A fascinating period.

Howdy,

Excellent books, he wrote two. I also liked Gordon Brown's book.

I'm hardly an expert, just a wargamer. As best I can, I like to get the history right.

Ponder on,

JAS

Howdy,

There is a facebook group for the rules.

facebook.com/groups/1182359682096011

Ponder on,

JAS

I have a page of Illustrations from Muslim Influenced, Norman and Lombard Southern Italy and Sicily

mirror site
Illustrations from Muslim Influenced, Norman and Lombard Southern Italy and Sicily

Druzhina
Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

Nifty – JAS

Howdy,

Hot off the press … Where the article will be published:

Edited from a post by Jason Weiser: "My next project…it's a big one. Please distribute far and wide.

New Wargaming Magazine Launching Q3 2021

Gettysburg, PENN. (July 23, 2021) – North American miniature wargamers will soon have another outlet to turn to for all their wargaming news and tips. Epoch Xperience (Epoch XP), a subsidiary of SJR Research, is launching a new magazine dedicated to historical military miniature wargaming in the United States. Military Miniature: The Voice of American Miniature Wargaming will cover a broad scope of topics within wargaming, from creating unique scenarios based on historical events to spotlighting the visionaries of the industry.

Military Miniature will start as a digital publication, with its first issue launching October 15, 2021. A print publication is planned for the future. …" -snipped, text of Facebook post continues, not shown -

Ponder on,

JAS

Howdy,

Updated in separate post with image of published cover.

I really like the presentation of my article in MM. The redraw of my scenario map is particularly nice.

Ponder on,

JAS