Welcome

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Welcome to 'Keep Your Powder Dry'. 

This blog is my way of storing a load of information that I have found whilst researching my British Civil War 15mm wargames armies. 

It is no way exhaustive, nor do I claim that it will be completely definitive. I expect to make errors, if you spot one please tell me. 

This blog is mainly a lesson in self-indulgence: it is mine, and it is primarily for me. But I do of course welcome visitors, and if it helps you out then I consider that a bonus.


Why is it called 'Keep Your Powder Dry'? There is a maxim often attributed to Oliver Cromwell ("put your trust in God and keep your powder dry") in a whole host of situations. The first time he was alleged to have said it to his soldiers was at Edgehill, only he arrived too late for the battle, indeed if he arrived at all.

The words first make their way in to print in 1834; the poem 'Oliver's Advice' appeared in the Dublin University Magazine, and was penned by Fitz Stewart. 'Fitz Stewart' was just one of many pseudonyms used by Irishman Lieutenant Colonel William Blacker.

Sadly no actual, real evidence that Cromwell ever said it exists. But Richard Harris did, in the film. Which is good enough for me.


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Newark's Defences - a town under siege

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Trees

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Houses of Interest: Staffordshire

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Houses of Interest: West Yorkshire

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For more Yorkshire 'related stuff' you can find North Yorkshire here ,  South Yorkshire here ,   East Riding here . See also the Rupert Travelogue  entry for Yorkshire, and the entry for Adwalton Moor Oakwell Hall    was the inspiration for Charlotte Brontë's Fieldhead in "Shirley". More recently it has been used a number of times as a film set, including "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell". Located close to the M62 and the Leeds branch of purgatory on Earth (aka Ikea), this Tudor manor house is beautifully maintained by Kirklees Borough Council. The hall is presented as a seventeenth century home. I really like this approach, as so often historic houses have different rooms decorated for different eras, so it is really nice to see a house presented from one era in it's entirety. Oakwell was in the ownership of the Batt family, who supported the King; John Batt was a captain and most probably fought at Adwalton Moor. The retreating Parli
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Coat Colours Part 1: Parliamentarian Regiments of Foot

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Lurkio ECW Range

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Pikes

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Adwalton Moor, 30th June 1643

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Houses of Interest: North Yorkshire

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