Late 17th Century Wars

By Mike W.

Where to begin with the vast array of conflicts that this period covers? For me I class anything after the restoration of Charles II in 1660 through to the early years of the 18th Century and the end of the War of Spanish Succession as being 'in period'.

Maybe not historically accurate but the look and feel of the period is relatively similar across the years, despite some big changes in military dress and competency of the commanders and units involved. this allows the collector / wargamer to use figures across the whole period, simply changing unit flags to allow them to appear one week as English in French Service and the next week as Dutchmen...

So for me the key focus areas are as follows:

Anglo Dutch Wars: here I have large collections for French & Dutch units plus their allies. These are primarily 28mm North Star 1672 figures with a smattering of Front Rank (particularly covering the Horse units). These are all colourful units, despite both sides being primarily clad in Grey, by introducing foreign troops in the mix then we get Swiss in Red, Germans in Blue and English/Scots & Irish in red'. With all I have deliberately oversized their flags to make them stand out in the tabletop.

Williamite Wars: Just getting into this major theatre with William of Orange looking to expel James' supporters from Ireland. Warfare Miniatures provide a wealth of materials & figures to develop anyone's collections. In my case I still have a large number of Front Rank figures fulfilling the needs of this section.

 

Eastern Theatre: in my opinion, by far the most colourful of the theatres of war and I concentrate on the Siege of Vienna, here I have Allied Austrian / Polish armies facing off against a large Turkish Army. Figures are again 28mm scale with Austrians mostly repurposed Front Rank figures used as Dutch Allies in the Anglo Dutch Wars section above, whilst the Polish are a myriad of different 28mm figures supplied by Warlord games, Essex, Warfare Miniatures. and others I have forgotten the names of! The Turks and their allies are even more diversely sourced, many again form Warlord Games, many conversions from Gripping Beast's plastic Arab figures and again many others I have no idea who the manufacturer was!

 

 

Apart from the above I have also dabbled in Pirate actions in the Caribbean where English, French and/or Spanish forces are trying to clear an island of a Pirate's Den.

 

We have also explored the actions of the Monmouth Rebellion and also used the 1672 figures and deployed them as James II's English / Scots Government forces in the suppression of the Covenanters during the Killing Times in Scotland in the 1680s.