Napoleonic, WSS & ECW wargaming, with a load of old Hooptedoodle on this & that
Saturday, 25 July 2020
Featherstonia: Tony Bath's Medieval Rules
Another packet of gold dust from the Mighty Albannach. Have a look at this lot, then! Originally published by Don Featherstone's Wargamer's Newsletter.
Please enjoy - thanks again, Iain - you're a hero.
Another great blast from the past Tony. I remember buying a bundle of maybe six sets of wargaming rules from Donald Featherstone in the late 70's - he used to advertise them in his newsletter. All still playable today. Cheers Greg
Wonderful - thanks for republishing. Now all I need to do some time soon is dust off my Airfix Robin Hood and Sheriff of Nottingham, dig out my Sherwood castle ...
I (really), enjoyed reading these, although I can't say that in 2020 I'd want to play them; archers shooting up to three times, hits reduced to 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4, and then saving throws. The move distances and ranges are very long Many types of troops are likely to break and run just from being attacked, although I understand what he was trying to accomplish with those rules.
Splendid... Tony and Iain... Simple, straightforward and most likely enjoyable to play. I remember showing a friend ( who is a games designer and developer) my copy of War Games and being amused at his genuine surprise that there were three rule sets and three AAR’s contained within.... plus pictures...
Thanks for sharing a bit of Wargaming history. Not sure I could remember each rule bullet in a casual game without the aid of a comprehensive QRS. Writing styles have changed over the years.
Gentlemen all - thanks for your enthusiasm. Yes - times and styles have changed, no doubt. As for ease of remembering them in action, I guess these come from an age when the author of the rules usually won! I have ancient recollections of George Jeffrey arriving at club night with a hefty re-write of his house rules, for use at that evening's event (he must have lost last time out)!
These old rule sets are useful for nostalgic revisits, to try them out, and also to remind us how and why we got to our current state of perfection!
Another great blast from the past Tony. I remember buying a bundle of maybe six sets of wargaming rules from Donald Featherstone in the late 70's - he used to advertise them in his newsletter. All still playable today. Cheers Greg
ReplyDeleteWonderful - thanks for republishing. Now all I need to do some time soon is dust off my Airfix Robin Hood and Sheriff of Nottingham, dig out my Sherwood castle ...
ReplyDeleteI (really), enjoyed reading these, although I can't say that in 2020 I'd want to play them; archers shooting up to three times, hits reduced to 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4, and then saving throws. The move distances and ranges are very long Many types of troops are likely to break and run just from being attacked, although I understand what he was trying to accomplish with those rules.
ReplyDeleteSplendid... Tony and Iain...
ReplyDeleteSimple, straightforward and most likely enjoyable to play.
I remember showing a friend ( who is a games designer and developer) my copy of War Games and being amused at his genuine surprise that there were three rule sets and three AAR’s contained within.... plus pictures...
Simpler times indeed 😁
All the best. Aly
AH, nothing like a bit of Featherstonia with coffee on a Sunday morning. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Stokes
Thanks for sharing a bit of Wargaming history. Not sure I could remember each rule bullet in a casual game without the aid of a comprehensive QRS. Writing styles have changed over the years.
ReplyDeleteGentlemen all - thanks for your enthusiasm. Yes - times and styles have changed, no doubt. As for ease of remembering them in action, I guess these come from an age when the author of the rules usually won! I have ancient recollections of George Jeffrey arriving at club night with a hefty re-write of his house rules, for use at that evening's event (he must have lost last time out)!
ReplyDeleteThese old rule sets are useful for nostalgic revisits, to try them out, and also to remind us how and why we got to our current state of perfection!
They do make an entertaining read, have to say.