Fought between 1754 and 1763, this conflict saw the French and British empires fighting for dominance of Canada and North America. The European armies had to overcome harsh weather conditions and the equally unforgiving wilderness before fighting battles and skirmishes in which little quarter was asked for or given. “I never served so disagreeable a…
We’re taking a look at one of the most iconic periods covered by Black Seas – the Napoleonic Wars. This article provides an overview of the conflict. One of the most heavily studied eras of European history, the French wars which began in 1803 were effectively a continuation of those which had preceded them, involving…
The Black Powder stable of rules require little in the way of bookkeeping, and a jolly good thing this is too! The main thing that it is necessary to record is the loss of a unit’s stamina. In Black Powder, and Pike and Shotte, each unit typically starts the battle with 3 stamina, while in…
The armies of all nations were made from a series of building blocks – divisions from two or more brigades, brigades from regiments, and regiments from battalions or cavalry squadrons. For example, the following French division formed part of the VI Corps of the French Army of Portugal 1811. 1st Division (General de Division Jean Gabriel Marchand) 1st Brigade (…
The regimental music was divided into two sections: the Band and the Corps of Drums. Under the Chef de Musique (Bandmaster) the Tambour Major (Drum Major) led the Drums and the Band, while the Tambour Maitre (Sergeant Drummer) was responsible for the discipline of the Drums, which he led on those occasions when this section…
This week, dark clouds gather over Europe as the War of Spanish Succession begins. Defend the divine right of kings with our fantastic range! It is difficult to imagine a more powerful king in 1700 than the Sun King, Louis XIV of France, who had ruled over the most powerful state in Europe for 57…
This week, we’re visiting Black Powder’s arsenal to take a look at cannons, howitzers and mortars of all shapes and sizes. We’re checking in with the undisputed king of the battlefield – artillery! I thus allowed them to advance unmolested until the head of the column might have been about fifty or sixty yards…
Since the dawn of civilisation, the sea has been both a blessing and a curse to military planners. On the one hand, it allowed the rapid redeployment of troops across a continent-spanning empire, while on the other it provided a near-insurmountable obstacle, stronger than even the toughest fortification. At many points across history, it has…
The Hundred Days and the famed battle of Waterloo marked the end of the First French Empire. You can refight the campaign using the Black Powder rules, in conjunction with Albion Triumphant Volume 2. The shattering of the Grande Armèe in the snows of Russia in 1812, followed by two years of desperate fighting, forced…
Bossman John has been collecting Napoleonic miniatures for years. He’s unveiling yet more of his collection (though this is still just a snippet). Feast your eyes on this latest batch of photos!
Dan Hewitson
Tom Mecredy