My specialty is ‘Luso-Spanish’ Military History, that is, the wars of Spain and Portugal or, put another way, Iberian Wars. This specialty has pros and cons. The pros are that it covers a lot of history and I have an excuse to buy armies from some fascinating conflicts. The cons are exactly the same as the pros.
Spain
My specialty is the Military History of Spain and Portugal. The Spanish bits that seem to interest people the most are Carlist Wars, Rif Wars, Spanish Civil War and the Spanish involvement in WWII (mostly the Blue Division).
Second Carlist War / Matiners’ War 1846 – 1849
“Matiner” means early riser. The Matiners’ War was started by a group of Carlists who rose in rebellion before the majority were ready. Note: Spanish sources refer the the Matiner’s War as the Second Carlist War and to the 1872-76 affair as the Third Carlist War. Other, English, sources refer to the 1872-76 war as … Read more
Review of Maximilian Fast Play Rules
Maximilian is a set of fast play rules designed specifically for the Great Italian Wars.
Timeline of the Roman Conquest of Hispania
The main periods of significance in the Roman conquest of Iberia are:
Painting Guide for the Eighty Years War
The Eighty Years’ War and Thirty Years’ War so the troops were similar. The painting guide or the main protagonists of the Eighty Years War, Spanish and Dutch, is given here. See the Painting Guide for the Thirty Years War page for Swedes, French, Imperialist, etc.
Timeline of the First Carlist War
When Ferdinand VII of Spain died in 1833, his fourth wife Cristina became Queen regent on behalf of their infant daughter Isabel II. This splintered the country into two factions known as the Cristinos (or Isabelinos) and the Carlists. The Cristinos were the supporters of the Queen Regent and her government. The Carlists were the supporters of Don Carlos, pretender to the throne and brother of the deceased Ferdinand VII. The First Carlist War lasted over 7 years and the fighting spanned most of the country at one time or another, although the main conflict centred around the Carlist homelands of the Basque Country and Aragon.
In my timeline for the First Carlist War I outline the events and suggest wargaming scenarios.
Twilight of the Sun-King (2001 version)
This is a set of fast play rules for the War of Spanish Succession including the campaigns of the Duke of Marlborough.
Almanza – A Twilight of the Sun King Scenario
A Twilight of the Sun-King scenario for the War of Spanish Succession featuring the Battle of Almanza.
Design Notes for Twilight of the Sun-King
When writing Twilight of the Sun-King (specifically the original 2001 version) I kept in mind these principles.
Army Lists and Points System for Twilight of the Sun-King
Some suggestions for army lists for my Twilight of the Sun-King rules.
Alternative Army Lists for Twilight of the Sun-King
Some suggestions for army lists. They could be, but weren’t intended to be, used in conjunction with my Twilight of the Sun-King rules.
Sources for the First Carlist War
An annotated bibliography for the First of the Carlist Wars.
15mm Wargaming Figures for the Macedonian and Punic Wars
My figures are predominantly from Essex Miniatures although Chariot Miniatures (now owned by Magister Militum)appear frequently among the Roman Legionaries, Numidians, Italians and Spanish allies. The infantry of the two ranges are entirely compatible. The cavalry are not compatible. I opted for the large Essex Miniatures horses because all my other armies are that size. Magister Militum have more realistic but much smaller horses. The only exception is for the Numidians – the numidian horses of both ranges are compatible.
Personalities of the First Carlist War
A brief biography of some of the leading figures of the First of the Carlist Wars.