My second attempt at a hex-based miniatures game for the War of the Spanish Succession is coming along nicely, and we are getting to the point where it needs a name. I can't go on calling it Working Title, or even Plan B.
So I need a name. My own preferences are that it should be fairly short, not pompous or melodramatic. If it were apposite that would be good, and I like a bit of quirky humour.
I've had some good suggestions from friends already - here are a few
* Malbrook
* Corporal John
* Prinz Eugen
* Mitre [a headgear link with Tricorne, the Compass Games AWI Game, which is a substantial donor to my new game]
* Perruque [similar headwear reference, which is my own most serious effort thus far]
I also must admit that one of my working titles, the one I have used for short file names on the computer during the typing and desktop publishing phase, is TriWSS, which is not great, although it has the added appeal that I have patented the official pronunciation "Truss", which should be a big marketing plus.
Anyone like to contribute a few more? I'd be eternally grateful, it goes without saying...
What about....
ReplyDeletePaper Cartridge or
Powder on the plate or
Flint & Frizen or
Flintlock?
Great stuff Ray - thanks for these - I haven't heard of a frizzen in years. Excellent.
DeleteHmm. What about Fighting for the Nether Regions?
ReplyDeleteI like it Jon - dark!
DeleteGood! It has the benefit of a double entendre too.
DeleteI clocked that - it is very close to a triple entendre? Very good anyway - I like it.
DeleteJust occurred to me that the victor of Almanza and relation of 'Corporal John ' was of course Berwick - which might feel appropriate to you...?
ReplyDeleteAh yes - James Fitzjames! - he was duke of some town in England, I believe?
DeleteHa ha, I see a little cross-border 'needle' there, sorry for my Southern ignorance 😀
DeleteNo, no - no needle at all. Berwick has spent years in both countries anyway. The name has always intrigued (and confused) me. The word (Anglo-Saxon?) means "barley store" or similar. The little town where I live (North Berwick) is some 40 miles from proper Berwick, and is, of course, in Scotland. Between the two stretches the old county of Berwickshire, which contains neither of them! I believe that my town is North Berwick as an afterthought, to distinguish it from Fitzjames' place, and I guess Berwickshire may have been closer to B-upon-Tweed once upon a time.
DeleteMore seriously, Berwick (the man) is an interesting character - I'd like to read more about him. I saw a statue of him on the fortress walls at St Malo a few years ago - didn't know who or what he was at the time - still don't!
Berwick, of course, are the only Enfglish football club to play in the Scottish division (or used to be forty years ago when my mate Tam Smith and twenty other equally zealous Montrose FC supporters would hire a bus to travel about 350 miles round trip on a Wednesday night to witness a mid week scoreless draw!)
DeleteHi Keith - they were relegated out of the Scottish Football League a couple of years ago, but still play in Scotland, in the Lowland League. If you used to go from Montrose down to Shielfield Park on a Wednesday evening in the winter then you must have been very tough boys indeed! I've never been to a football match there, but I once went to watch the speedway racing (same venue) on a foggy evening, with the East wind coming in off the mouth of the Tweed, and I haven't quite got over it yet.
DeleteI still think Perriwig is an ace title!
ReplyDeleteIt does have a certain something. For no good reason, I am reminded that years ago my friend Allan Gallacher wrote some rules for an exhibition game, which he entitled "Battles with Soldiers in Really Silly Hats". I think it was changed under protest, as there were some who felt he was showing the hobby in a bad light!
DeleteI’m very boring if I were to write for this period I’d decide on Captain General.
ReplyDeleteVery dignified. I like it, as well.
DeleteThere was something nagging at me here - I think that Captain General was the Pike and Shot Society's offering for this period before they put their weight behind the "Twiglet" series. So you're right, Graham, it is a good name!
DeleteProf De Vries sent me a note pointing out that the portrait of Louis XIV (in his coronation robe) is not one of his best, and he looks like a tea-cosy. I bet nobody suggested it at the time.
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me of one of those dolls that my nan used to put over her toilet roll!
DeleteRay - I think my nan might have done that as well - great memory. Sort of Victorian attitude that it might be shocking to visitors if the spare toilet roil were on display in the bathroom; more likely that the visitors might be traumatised if they couldn't find the thing!
DeleteI don't know the subject very well, but 'Bullfight' seems obvious and would be easy to remember, where was the Pope on the matter and is a papal bull a different spelling, that might help . . . . I'll see myself out!
ReplyDeleteI have to say I don't recall reading of the Pope's views on the succession - just about everybody else had a horse in the race, so maybe he did as well? Interesting.
DeleteThanks for this Hugh; I shall have to think carefully about "Bullfight"...
Well, my other one, which I kept to myself earlier, but if I'm on a roll I might as well be hung for the whole flock, is Sing Ria! It'll take a moment and then you'll hate me!
DeleteHugh - I have been fretting at this one for a while - I confess I am defeated. More clues please?
Delete... alcohol-free Sangria?
DeleteIt wasn't even that clever, just a bad pun on Sangria, I told you you'd hate me!
DeleteRighto. I hate you.
DeleteTony I think Corporal John as a nod to Marlborough is a good one although Muskets & Mitres would be good too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ian - hope things good with you. Regret we did not manage to get to Le Caillou. Nor Ligny...
DeleteJust how many mistresses does he have under that gown?
ReplyDeleteAs for name suggestions how about one of these?:
On Beef and Beer.
In Top-Boots. (nudge, nudge...)
Sun-Block.
Good names Rob - thanks. I had a theory that Louis maybe used to steal harpsichords.
DeleteFor a really obscure reference, in the millinery theme "Corporal Trim's Montrero" I'd add "and Jenkin's Ear" but that's just me.....
ReplyDeleteNeil
That's a good name Neil - it has been suggested before, and I liked it then, but it's a little later than the period I'm aiming at initially. At the moment things are definitely (sort of) 1703 - my British units even carry pre-Union flags!
Delete