Rage at the Armouries and a short break

The busy schedule continued with a visit last weekend to Leeds for the Rage event which showcased the Hundred Years War to mark the move of the Agincourt diorama to Leeds.  Several clubs attended with games and a good range of photographs can be seen on Will's blog.  The Lance & Longbow Society had two games on show;  Simon Chick's Agincourt game and Steve's Bauge game.  He had adapted the scenario to use our version of Lion Rampant so we could offer it as a participation game. Happily we had several 'willing volunteers'.  The two run throughs gave differing games.  In the first Clarence led the English knights across the bridge into Bauge and perished as in history.  The supporting force led by his illegitimate son was crushed by the French.  Fortunately, the archers led by Salisbury managed to drive off the Scots and recover Clarence's corpse.  In the second game, Clarence survived, his unit destroyed the Scots in Bauge almost handed and Salisbury arrived in time to make sure the Scots reinforcements were driven off.  The French were fought to a standstill by Clarence's son and so the result was a clear English victory.  Thanks to Dave, Will, Steve and Martin for making the game such a success.

Layout for the game

Scots in Bauge

Scots in Bauge form up

Clarence prepares for battle

During our short break in the Aylesbury area we visited Bletchley Park.  This was a fascinating day, with plenty of things of interest.  Having watched the film "The Imitation Game" the display on the 'Bombe' was particularly interesting. Museum staff explained the processes involved in trying to determine the settings of the Enigma machine.  One was left with admiration for the skills of Turing in envisioning how such a machine could be built.  If you get the chance the museum is well worth a visit and your ticket will allow admission for twelve months.

Enigma machine

Bombe machine used in the film

Set used for the film set up in Bletchley Mansion

We also had time to visit Oxford and whilst there went to the Pitt-Rivers Museum.  It is a treasure trove of artefacts from around the world.  On the top floor is a collection of arms and armour.  Amongst the exhibits was a grenade launcher from the 18th century.

I had never seen one before and assumed that any grenades used were thrown by hand.  On the ground floor are several cases with models of eighteenth century ships.

On the way home we stopped at Coughton Court a Tudor house with links to the Gunpowder Plot. The Throckmorton family have lived there for 600 years.  Among the exhibits is a relic from Edgehill