Cesar's Gallic Wars in 28mm

Ancient lands of Gaul in Western Europe, date to the 5th to 1stc BC, a vast region 494,000sq k. Gaul was inhabited by independent culturally Celtic tribal groups living in the countryside, villages, and large defensive walled towns functioning as regional capitals. Caesar's gallic campaign commenced in 58BC. The Tribe of the Aulerci inhabited western Gaul, the confederation consisted of three tribes, The Cenomani, the Diablintes and the Eburovices. Lead by their chieftain Camulogéne they resisted the Roman invasion. First joining with the Unelli against Caesars Lieutenant Titurius Sabinus 56BC in Armorica. Then assisted the Veneti in Caesars Loire campaign. Finally, in 52BC the Aulerci joined Vercingetorixs rebellion. Camulogéne lead the confederation with the Parisii against Caesars lieutenant Labienus at the battle of Lutetia (Paris), where the Gaulois Federation was defeated and Camulogéne was killed in the fighting.

 

28mm Large scale battles, or the siege of a Roman camp or seige of Gaulois fortress. 

 Fall of Rome Rise of the Barbarians, Goths, Huns and Franks 28mm

383 to 600s  The slow depletion of legions from the Western Provinces leads to the collapse and final withdrawal of Rome from Roman Provinces- Gaul & Britain.

In 511 the Franks defeat the last Roman army and sack the capital of Soissons and the conquered territory The Final Roman stronghold of Angers falls, the region is divided between the sons of Clovis.

 

Clashes between the Franks and the  Bretons mark the region's history. In this period the rise of Uther Riothamus, King of Brittany, and Cornwell and the legend of King Arthur is born. The Visigoths settle into the lower Loire. The most powerful and dominant force to rise and fill the vacuum left by the Romans are The Franks who control most of modern France after the defeat of the Visigoths at Vouille. 

 

The rise of the Umayyad Muslim invasions next ravage the area until their defeat by Charles Martel at Tours in 711. The rise of the Carolingian empire finally conquers all of modern France except for Brittany. Around this time, the Carolingian Breton marcher legend is born Hrurodlan (of Song of Roland fame) and the first Bishop's palace of Mayenne is built.

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28mm Large battle Impetus or home rules.

Viking Age in 28mm Carolingian Franks-Vikings- Bretons 799-1180, and the Norman Invasions 799-1098.

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From 799 Viking raids commence along the west coast and followed up the Seine & Loire Rivers and their tributaries. In 841 the Danish Viking Oscher raided up the Seine, burning and pillaging Rouen.  In 845 Ragnor Lodbrok pillage all the way along the Seine to Paris. Departing after a ransom of 7000 pounds of Silver is paid. Raiding continues  Paris 856, 857, 866, 876, ad finally in 885-88.

In 911 after Rollo's attempts to sack Chartres and Paris, Rollo inherits the Carolingian charge of Jarl de Normandy, Count Rothomagensis, Count of Rouen or Marchioness, Marquis de Seine, changing the face of France forever. 

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By 907 the regions of Brittany, Normandy, Maine, and some of Anjou come under the Viking leader Hastein, ruling from his capital at Namsborg (Nantes). Viking influence continues for 30 years. A Breton alliance with the Vikings makes the Mayenne river the border between Francia and Brittany. Countless raids and large scale battles occur in the region until the defeat of the Vikings at the siege of Nantes and Trans in  937 by a combined Frank and Breton Alliance. The result is Brittany becomes a duchy of France.

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28mm Wargame Skirmish Saga or large battle Impetus

Plantagenet v Capetian War 28mm

1098 to 1259 Capetians and Angevin-Plantagenets. A dynastic clash between Capetians focused on seizing control of all Angevin-Plantagenet land and titles. The complex dynastic wars fought from the southern Spanish alliances to the northern Holy Roman Empire. embroiling all early medieval powerful counties and dukedoms.

 

Bonded through feudal fidelity to overlords. L’Hotel de Hercé is at the heart of the conflict. Laval, Saint Suzanne and Mayenne the power centres of the Count of Maine. In 1133 Henri II the First Plantagenet king was born in Le Mans the capital of Maine, the city  acted as a buffer zone between Normandy, Brittany, Anjou, Blois and Touraine.

 

28mm Skirmish Barons Wars or large battle format  Impetus

French, English, Bretons, Scots 28mm 1337 & 1453

French & English claimants to the French Crown seek power through control of land & forced allegiance of Castilians through sieges &  battle.

The region of Maine (today Mayenne) was predominantly allied to the French crown & was hotly contested by the English. Mayenne was the gateway between the English lands of Normandy and Aquitaine. 

• The Breton War of Succession 

• War of Earl of Buckingham 

• French reconquest; Joan of Arc.

The seiged Chateaux of Mayenne  still survive today; Saint Suzanne, Chateau Lassay, Chateau Laval, Chateau Mayenne, Chateau Vitré in Brittany

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28mm Large Battle Impetus or House rules

The Battle of Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier 28mm

Brittany, Burgundy, and England resist the expansion of the French state. After the death of Charles the Bold Brittany became the centre for resistance to the French. By 1488 Duke Francis was weakened by internal conflicts, as he sort alliances to secure independence for Brittany. By protecting French rebel lord Louis d'Orleans, the King French demanded the return of the lord, asserting that they had the right to take them by force and so it began. The Battle of Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier took place on 28 July 1488, between the forces of King Charles VIII of France, and those of Francis II, Duke of Brittany, and his allies. The defeat of the latter signalled the end to the Mad war', a feudal conflict as French aristocrats revolted against French royal power during the regency of Anne de Beaujeu.

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28mm Armies representing both armies using Impetus or House rules.

Vendee rebellion in the West  in 28mm  Battle of Entrammes Oct  1793

In the west, the French Revolution was defined by the rebellion of the Royal Catholic Armies v the Republicans. 

In 1793 the Royal Catholic Army suffered a huge defeat at Cholet retreating with 30,000 soldiers &  60,000 refugees, and the dramatic crossing of the Loire River. Heading north they retake their city of Laval. The Republican General Westermann and advance Guard of 4000 men gave chase. Chouan spies warn the Royal Catholic army, they meet the Republicans at La Croix-Bataille. The Republicans lose 1,300 men & retreat. Republican reinforcements arrive with General Léchelle, regrouping they advance to Laval with  25,000 men.

The two armies clash at Entrammes. 30,000 men of the Royal Catholic & Chouan Army defeat the Republicans leaving  4,000 dead & wounded, and capturing the baggage train and 19 cannons.

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28mm Large Skirmish game using House rules

From Skirmish to Grand Battle Full Day to Full Weekend Campaign Games. Wargame battles In the Grand Manner 28mm from using three different rule sets. Battalions from 24 to 48 figures, cavalry regiments 6 to 40 figures.

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Where my Wargaming passion all began and one of our largest collections. 

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Rule sets

"In the Grand Manner"

"General de Brigade"

"General d'Armee"

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Armies include

1805 campaign French, Confederation of the Rhine vs Austrians and Russians

1809 Campaign French, Confederation of the Rhine

1812 French, Confederation of the Rhine vs Russia

1813 French vs Prussia, and Germans states

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Napoleonic Naval using 1/1200th ships French, Spanish vs British

in 20mm

Our Largest collection from the Invasion of France, then DDay to Victory. Play from a selection of armies, French, Germans, Americans Canadians and British, the landings,  airborne operations and the Breakout​

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Rapid Fire rules, games can include 

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• Normandy June 1940

• DDay 1944 Gold beach

• DDay British Airborne  Pegasus Bridge 

• DDay American Airborne Sainte-Mère-Eglise.

• DDay American Airborne Brécourt Manoir. 

• Carentan American Airborne , causeway and ville. 9-14 June

• Operation Perch 7-14 June 

• Operation Epsom 26 June

• Operation Jupiter 10 July

• Operation Goodwood 18-20 July

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• Operation Cobra US 25th June

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• Operation Luttich German Mortain counter attack

• Battle for Mayenne river US 5th Aug

• Battle for Le Mans US 7th Aug 

• Operation Totalize 8-9 August 1944

• Battle Alençon French/US 12th August

• Operation Tractable Falaise Pocket 14 August

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Other WW2 options include Invasion of Poland 1939, Holland, Belgium, Russian front, Fall of the Reich and Arnhem 1944 campaign weekends