Keep Your Powder Dry

I've seen a few discussions along the lines of "how do I take good pictures of miniatures" on different fora over the past few months. I can't help you take good pictures, but I might be able to help you take half decent pictures. King Charles will be our model for the day. (Picture taken in portable studio mentioned below) I also like cameras. There I've said it. Now that is out in the open we can move on. I can happily drop phrases like 'macro', 'bokeh' and 'full frame' into a conversation, but my eyes glaze over when 'f-stops' get mentioned. As a glasses wearer of 40+ years I let the camera do the hard work, so it is 'automatic' all the way here. First we need to talk about cameras. Photography anoraks will drone on and on about cameras for ever, if you allow them. Simple answer is, got a smartphone? Answer yes? Then the camera in your phone will be more than adequate. No camera phone? Then you'll need a ca...

A jolly to Paris led to a slight painting detour via Napoleon's Rheinbund regiments, but I'm back in seventeenth century England again. What do we know about Tyldesley's Dragoons? In a nutshell - not a lot to be honest. We know that Thomas Tyldesley commissioned William Blundell to captain a company of dragoons. Blundell had got himself into trouble ''inciting riots" in the 1630s so was probably quite suited to a military life. Thomas has the dubious distinction of claiming the first recorded casualty of the First English Civil War. A street fight on 15th July 1642, claimed the life of Levenshulme linen weaver Richard Perceval, when Royalists tried to force the town to hand over its gunpowder stores. Perceval, was allegedly killed by Thomas Tyldesley. Proceedings were begun against Thomas for the killing; however, on 11th August the House of Commons ordered the judges in Lancashire to cease the action. Most likely raised in Lancashire, believed to have d...

...is the title of the latest in the Royal Armouries Arms and Armour Series. This book is absolutely fantastic. Well illustrated throughout, using portraits and period illustrations to introduce each section, then copious colour photographs of artefacts from the RA collection. Keith Dowen has penned not only an excellent primer to the period (if you are new to the Civil Wars) but also, a volume that a seasoned Civil War enthusiast would benefit from too. This is how an arms and armour book should be, take note Osprey and Helion! Available now from the RA museum shops or their online store. Remember you can always save the postage costs by picking it up in person, if you do you might as well have a look around whilst you are there. Be rude not to. Also available on Amazon from 1st April. Arms and Armour of the English Civil Wars K. Dowen, Royal Armouries Museums £12.99 Apologies to Mr Dowen, my autocorrect keeps turning him into a Mr Downton, all corrected now. (Must ...