A.D. 500 book

 

A window on the mysterious world of the Dark Ages by a brilliant young historian

AD 500 is written as a practical survival guide for the use of civilised visitors to the barbaric islands of Britain and Ireland. It describes a journey which begins in Cornwall and continues through Wales and Ireland, then across to Scotland and eventually down to London and southern Britain.

The Romans have left, and the islands are now fought over by Irish, British Celts, Picts and Saxons. It is a dangerous world, full of tribal war. The British Celts are enthusiastic head-hunters, while the Saxon gods require regular blood sacrifices, animal and sometimes human. There are social pitfals too (`Do not make fun of the Celts' beliefs about Arthur'...'Don't refuse a place in a Welsh collective bed.')

Cheviot bandits, bizarre forms of Christianity, boat burials, peculiar haircuts, human sacrifice, poetry competitions, slave markets, the legend of King Arthur - these are the realities of life in the sixth century AD.

Twrch Trwyth

Mythical wild boar of Arthurian legend. Wiki

See also here an article on famous boars of Arthurian romance.

ByBy Richard Hook Warriors of Arthur

Exciting news from Victrix

 Late Roman Armoured Cavalry - Out Now!

After the huge success of the recent Late Roman Armoured Infantry release, we are pleased to say that the heavy cavalry can now join them on the battle field...

This fantastic set of miniatures represents Roman heavy cavalry in mail and scale armour during the 4th to 6th Centuries.

There are many and varied head and arm options with spears, javelins and swords plus standard bearer and musician arms. We have some cloaks to make your command figures stand out from the troopers.

There are two sizes of shields, a large oval S1 and a smaller oval S2 as historical reference seems to depict two sizes in use by Late Roman heavy cavalry.

The versatility that we try and build into all Victrix sets means you can use all the heads from the previous Late Roman infantry giving you even more variety and you could also easily use these models as Romano British and Goth cavalry simply by adding the appropriate head, shield or cloaks.

You can use the new cavalry transfer sheets or you can also use the previous Late Roman, Byzantine, Goth and Romano British transfers on the larger oval shields.

What’s in the bag?

- 12 riders (with options for officer, musician and standard bearer)

- 12 horses (with javelin cases, water bottles and bedrolls)

Order Here:

https://www.victrixlimited.com/collections/late-romans/products/late-roman-armoured-cavalry

Coming soon from Victrix

 "Quick sneak peak of the new Late Roman Heavy Cavalry...

These should be ready to order by the end of the week!"

The Battles of King Arthur Tony Sullivan

 

The ninth century Historia Brittonum is the first source that mentions Arthur and lists twelve battles, including the famous Badon Hill. Much ink has been spilt debating the identity and location of Arthur. This book will demonstrate that some of the battles can indeed be located with some confidence. Rather than fit a specific theory as to his identity the battles are placed in the fragmenting provincial, political and military context of the late fifth and early sixth century Britain. At a time of rapid changes in cultural identity and a significant increase in Germanic material culture and migration.

These battles might be expected to be found along borders and in zones of potential conflict. Yet this is not what is discovered. In addition the simplistic idea of Romano-Britons holding back invading Anglo-Saxons is found wanting. Instead we discover a far more nuanced political and cultural situation. One with increasing evidence of continuation of land use and the indigenous population. The most Romanised and urbanised regions of the south and east are the very areas that experienced the arrival of Germanic settlement. The conclusion gives the reader a new insight into what sort of man Arthur was and the nature of the battles he fought.

Saga Aetius & Arthur

 

Got this supplement for the core Saga rules. Look good. A flip through is here

Saint Derfel's day

 April 5 is the day associated with this saint. From the wiki

Reputedly born around 566, Derfel is said to be one of seven warriors of Arthur who survived the Battle of Camlan.^[1] Three of the six other survivors were also said to have become saints. While others survived through good fortune, Derfel survived "by his strength alone".

Derfel is said to have been a noted warrior in medieval Welsh poetry. Tudur Penllyn wrote:

Derfel mewn rhyfel, gwnai'i wayw'n rhyfedd, Darrisg dur yw'r wisg, dewr yw'r osgedd.

("Derfel in war, he would work his spear wondrously, steel covering is the garment, brave is the appearance.")

According to Lewys Glyn Cothi:

"When there were at Camlan men and fighting and a host being slain, Derfel with his arms was dividing steel there in two".

After Camlan, Derfel is unanimously held in Welsh tradition to have entered the religious life. After a possible stint as a wandering hermit,^[1] he is said to have entered the monastery of Llantwit. He was also associated with Llandderfel in Gwynedd, named after and said to have founded by him. He is also said to have served as the abbot of Ynys Enlli, Bardsey Island, succeeding his cousin St. Cadfan. He is said to have died of natural causes on 6 April 660.

Magister Militum reenactment group

 Here. Worth exploring the article section. 

West Wind Arthurian 28mm

 Look good. Anyone tried them? Webpage

8th century warriors from Aberlemno in Angus

 Read about the carvings here