| mysteron | 16 Jul 2023 5:29 a.m. PST |
With the eventual release of the Epic Scots for Pike and Shotte ,I am looking for book recommendations for both sides for some background reading etc. The only book I have is the 48 page Osprey pamphlet Scots Armies of the English Civil Wars by Stuart Reid. Thanks in advance. |
KeepYourPowderDry  | 16 Jul 2023 7:35 a.m. PST |
The Osprey is a precis of Reid's Scots Armies of the C17th (3 volumes iirc). These have been edited and tweaked and appear as Scots Armies of the Great Rebellion (and is cheaper than the 3 volumes). Furgol's History of the Scots Covenanters is excellent, albeit out of print. Copies can be usually sourced from the usual sources for about £30.00 GBP How the Scots Won the English Civil War is excellent, concentrating upon Fraser's dragoons. Fantastic oxymoronic title too. Plus of course they appear in various battle specific volumes. |
| colkitto | 17 Jul 2023 2:07 a.m. PST |
Depending on which Scots you are interested in, Reid also does a book on Montrose, and there's Singleton's "Famous by my Sword". KYPD will know these, so the fact that he didn't mention them may be significant! |
| KeepYourPowderDry | 17 Jul 2023 4:54 a.m. PST |
There's a half decent Montrose book, out of print, sells for extravagant money. Can't remember the author. It has a green spine. |
| mysteron | 17 Jul 2023 10:00 a.m. PST |
Okay thanks guys. I will check some of those out . |
 piper909 | 17 Jul 2023 11:16 p.m. PST |
I found this book a valuable reference source, and it includes some good features and plates on Scottish soldiers: link |
| KeepYourPowderDry | 18 Jul 2023 5:03 a.m. PST |
Whilst the Haythornthwaite referenced by piper is very pretty, it is awful. Contained many factual inaccuracies when published (particularly with regard to the pictures), time has been very unkind to it. Sadly far too many figure designers use it as 'gospel'. |
| piper909 | 18 Jul 2023 11:18 a.m. PST |
Indeed? That's useful to be aware of, thanks KYPD. The ECW is not one of the periods I collect or game in; I just picked up that book to beef up my reference library. Looks like the proverbial Grain of Salt is required. So what are your picks if I need to look around for a replacement? The titles you mention above? I do like Stuart Reid's many books on Jacobite and Scottish subjects. I'm not having any luck finding this title on Scots armies and the great rebellion on Amazon -- do you have a link to a source? |
| KeepYourPowderDry | 18 Jul 2023 11:36 a.m. PST |
If you want info on the Scots, then Scots Armies of the Great Rebellion is the way to go – try On Military Matters (they seem to have a very similar stock list to Caliver). If it is general ECW then I suggest you wait, Helion have a Wargamer's Guide to the ECW in the pipeline. Probably the best information is available for free on the web. |
| Redinallways | 19 Jul 2023 8:54 a.m. PST |
As usual KYPD is being modest: try his blog (easily found using your pet search engine).
There is a good facebook group called The English Civil Wars and you'll find others. |
| KeepYourPowderDry | 19 Jul 2023 9:04 a.m. PST |
Thank you Redinallways, the cheque is in the post 😉 If I might be so bold as to suggest my ECW research post, lots of links to good stuff there. Couple of really good FB groups, C17th wargaming, and the pike and shot society. The Cheshire Civil War Centre is excellent too, but very Cheshire orientated (now there's a surprise). |
