SoA News

Slingshot 281

2012-04-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

The latest issue of Slingshot (number 281, March 2012), the bi-monthly publication of the Society of Ancients, has gone to the printers.

The contents of Slingshot 281 are as follows

Editorial: Slings & Arrows
Guardroom
The Seventh Crusade, by Keith Hawkesford
The Role of the Master of Dragons (Part 1), by Jim Sye
East Roman Cavalry Warfare and Tactics, c. 410-641, Part 3, by Ilkka ‘Ike’ Syvänne
Ruleset Round Table, Version 2.0, edited by Mark Watson
The Third, Fourth and Fifth Dynasties of Ur will Emerge Victorious!: the 2011 Victorian Field of Glory Championship, by Steven Neate
Figure Reviews, by Aaron Bell & David Edwards
Book Reviews, by Mark Watson

For more information on the Society of Ancients, please visit www.soa.org.uk.

You can join the Society at www.soa.org.uk/store.

Warlord Games joins the SoA Discount Scheme

2012-02-26T07:22:00.000-08:00

We're pleased to announce that Warlord Games, manufacturers and purveyors of fine wargaming figures, have joined the SoA Discount Scheme.

A discount of 10% is available from the Warlord store at http://store.warlordgames.com/. To obtain the discount, you need to use a discount code on checkout. This code has been distributed to existing members by email, and will also be published in the March issue of Slingshot. The discount covers all goods available from their store - figures, rules, etc., including the newly acquired Immortal Miniatures ranges and in fact not only for the Ancients period. Many thanks to everyone at Warlord for this generous offer.

For more information about the SoA vendor discount scheme, please visit http://soa.org.uk/memberdiscounts/discounts.php.

To join the Society of Ancients, please visit http://soa.org.uk/store/

Karwansaray Publishers joins the SoA Discount Scheme

2012-02-14T14:26:00.000-08:00

We're pleased to announce that Karwansaray Publishers, publishers of Ancient Warfare, Medieval Warfare and Wargames Soldiers and Strategy, have joined the SoA Discount Scheme.

A discount of 10% is available from the Karwansaray store (http://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/shop/). To obtain the discount, you need to use a discount code on checkout. This code has been distributed to existing members by email, and will also be published in the March issue of Slingshot. Many thanks to Jasper and company at Karwansaray for this generous offer.

For more information about the SoA vendor discount scheme, please visit http://soa.org.uk/memberdiscounts/discounts.php.

To join the Society of Ancients, please visit http://soa.org.uk/store/

Back Issues Prices Reduced

2012-02-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

Some Slingshot back issue packages have been reduced in price on the website. Specifically:

2010 & 2008 have been reduced to £15
2007 has been reduced to £10

Back issue packages include print copies of all 6 issues published for the year in question.

Worldwide postage is included in the price. The higher prices for 2010 and 2008 reflect the higher size, weight and (therefore) postage costs for the issues in those years.

This is partly to reflect our policy of making back issue packages cheaper, and partly to ensure that all the various quoted prices (notably between the website and Slingshot) are consistent. There are still some inconsistencies with the prices quoted in the January Slingshot. We'll fix these in the March Slingshot and until then continue to honour prices quoted.

Also note, 2009 back issue packages have been unavailable (sold out) for some time, although some individual 2009 back issues may be available at shows. This is because we've completely run out of stock of two of the issues for the year in question.

Slingshot back issue packages are available from http://soa.org.uk/store/store_slingshot/

Slingshot 280

2012-01-08T11:42:00.000-08:00

The latest issue of Slingshot (number 280, January 2012), the bi-monthly publication of the Society of Ancients, has gone to the printers.

The contents of Slingshot 280 are as follows

War Elephant, by Patrick Waterson
East Roman Cavalry Warfare and Tactics, c. 410-641 Part 2, by Ilkka ‘Ike’ Syvänne
The Golden Age of the Franks (751-843 AD) Part 5, by Robert Heiligers
Sound the Trumpets, by David Edwards
Naval Battles of the Lamian War 323-322 BC, by Rob Brennan
A Moonlit Night at the Ilian Palladium, by Alastair McBeath
Do-It-Yourself Transfers, by Lawrence Greaves
Problems with DBA, by Richard Gill
Where Less is More: Improvements in the Use of Field of Glory, by Steven Neate
DBA in New Zealand - Reflections on 2011, by Keith McNelly
The English DBA Open, October 2011, by Martin Smith
‘On they went with loud shouts...’, Society of Ancients Battle Day 2012: Plataea 479 BC, by Richard Lockwood and Daivid Barnsdale
Rules, Book and Game Reviews

For more information on the Society of Ancients, please visit www.soa.org.uk.

You can join the Society at www.soa.org.uk/store.

Society of Ancients 2012 Committee Changes

2011-11-30T12:39:00.000-08:00

The Society of Ancients is pleased to announce the following changes to its governing committee for 2012.

The new president, as of 1 January 2012, will be Roy Boss. Roy takes over from Phil Steele, who has served as president since 2006. Roy is a long time war gamer, who can recall playing at Tony Bath’s house in the 1960’s. He’s also known the author of Montvert’s long out of print, highly sought after volume on Justinian’s wars.

Taking over as editor from Richard Taylor, as of the March 2012 issue, will be Mark Watson. This will be Mark’s second period as editor, in which role he served from 2008-2010, when he oversaw the revamp of Slingshot into a new glossy format.

Finally, also joining the committee will be Rick Priestley, Patrick Waterson and Paul Innes.

Rick Priestley is a long time member of the society and a well known games designer, probably best known for his historical, sci-fi and fantasy rules, which he wrote during a long and successful career at Games Workshop. His current historical rulesets, Black Powder and Hail Caesar, have been published by Warlord Games.

Patrick Waterson has been a prolific contributor to Slingshot over the last few years. He won the inaugural Phil Barker Prize, for his article “Amazed Was I Ere I Saw Zama”, published in Slingshot 262.

Paul Innes will be well known to members as the Society's organiser in Scotland and has been responsible for running the spectacular Scottish Battle Day "embassies" at Claymore over the last few years; Paul has also been part of the Tactica II project. He'll provide welcome representation for the Scottish members of the Society.

The members of the current committee who will remain in place in 2012 are: Richard Jeffrey-Cook (Treasurer), David Edwards (Secretary), Chris Helm (Membership Secretary), Richard Lockwood, Daivid Barnsdale, and Philip Sabin.

The Society would like to thank the outgoing officers for their time and efforts on our behalf. Phil Steele has been a tireless promoter of the Society, and an ever present face at wargaming events up and down the UK. Richard Taylor has spent two years in the post that is the face of the Society to many of us, and has been an outstanding Editor.

The early renewal incentive for 2012 (available to members who renew their membership before the end of February 2012) will be a game called “Call it Quids,” a two player board game of the Battle of Kadesh, designed by former SoA President Ian Russell Lowell, assisted by Graham Evans.

2011 Society of Ancient Doubles Masters - results

2011-09-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

DOUBLES MASTERS 2011

The Society of Ancients Doubles Masters was hosted over the weekend of the 3rd and 4th September in Abingdon by the BHGS and the Oxford club.

24 Teams competed in DBMM and Field of Glory for individual awards and for the Doubles Masters Alexander Trophy (which would go to the highest scoring pair over both events).

Field of Glory (Ancient and Medieval)
1. Terry Shaw and Simon Hall
2. Dave Handley and Nik Sharp
3. Keith Martin-Smith and Graham Evans
.... S Munton/G Briggs; D Fairhurst/L Fairhurst; D Pearce/H Pearce; D Bannister/M J Simpson; A Ellis/K Ellis; G Jamieson/R Jeffrey; D Morrisson/ J Patrick; J Akers/P Card; P Steele/C Ager; J Simpson/D Saunders ...

DBMM
1. Mike Bennett and Colin Sharp
2. Greg Mann and Mark Hare
3. Mark Priest and Lawrence Greaves
... T Richardson/K Nathan; J Morgan/T Childs; P Kershaw; J Saunders/P Saunders; S Rathgay/J Smith ...

DOUBLES MASTERS
1. Terry Shaw and Simon Hall (FoG)
2. Dave Handley and Nik Sharp (FoG)
3. Mike Bennett and Colin Sharp (DBMM)

The event also hosted FoG R and AK47 events: Alastair Harley won the FoG R and Peter Parker Harris won the AK47

On behalf of the Society of Ancients and all the players, many thanks to the hosts and organisers and congratulations to the worthy Champions

(2011 Doubles Masters: Terry Shaw and Simon Hall)

East of England DBA Challenge 2011

2011-08-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

CANCELLED

The Society of Ancients cordially invites you to the

A one day friendly DBA tournament taking place at Eastern Front Wargames Show, St Andrew's Hall, Norwich.
Sunday 21st August, starts 9:30am
Pleny of Games. Plenty of time to see the Show.
Great Prizes (Champion, Dux Britanniae, Junior, Newcomer, Best Presentation)
Counts towards the 2011 Society of Ancients UK DBA League

Please come along and join in. The cost is just £5, which includes entry to the wargames show. The fee is payable on the day, but please contact the organisers to book in, in advance. This should not deter late bookers (do come, even at the last minute), it is simply to speed up the organisation on the day.

Bring your own army in 15mm, any valid army is allowed from AD 410 to AD 1066. No terrain required. One list (all elements must be selected in advance for the event), normal dismounting rules etc. apply. Armies that actually fought in Britannia within the period also qualify for the 'Dux Britanniae' award. 'Newcomer' simply means you have not played in a SoA UK DBA League previously this year. Loan armies can be organised if needed.

This would be a great opportunity to get some games in whilst visiting a show, or for intrigued newcomers to tryout DBA (let us know and we will arrange the draw so you get to play an experienced player in the first round who can show you the ropes).

Enquiries and entries
yesthatphil 'at' yahoo.co.uk

The East of England DBA Challenge is sponsored by The Society of Ancients, Eastern Front and Monarch Military Books

Battle Day 2012 announced: Plataea 479 BC

2011-07-01T01:58:00.000-07:00

The ninth annual Society of Ancients Battle Day, Saturday 31 March 2012
Sycamore Hall, Drayton Road, Bletchley, Near Milton Keynes, MK2 3RR

Plataea 479 BC

"When he had so spoken, he crossed the Asopus, and led the Persians forward at a run directly upon the track of the Greeks, whom he believed to be in actual flight. He could not see the Athenians; for, as they had taken the way of the plain, they were hidden from his sight by the hills; he therefore led on his troops against the Lacedaemonians and the Tegeans only. When the commanders of the other divisions of the barbarians saw the Persians pursuing the Greeks so hastily, they all forthwith seized their standards, and hurried after at their best speed in great disorder and disarray. On they went with loud shouts and in a wild rout, thinking to swallow up the runaways."

Mardonius the Persian general begins the battle by pursuing the retreating Greek alliance. From Book IX of The History of Herodotus, this translation by George Rawlinson and found online at
http://classics.mit.edu/Herodotus/history.9.ix.html

For our ninth annual Battle Day, we once again invite you to a unique day’s wargaming.

The battle: Plataea 479 BC – the day the Greeks decisively defeat the invading Persian army to secure their freedom, and arguably define for the next 2,500 years the cultural basis of what we call today “the west”.

So stand firm with Pausanias the Spartan King against the barbarian hordes of the Persians, or join Mardonius and the Persian Immortals in demanding earth and water from these Greek upstarts!

As ever, the aims of the day remain the same:
· To have fun!
· To gather as many ancient wargamers as possible to refight a historical battle.
· To fight the same battle simultaneously on many tables, using a different set of rules on each table.

As usual the day will run from 9am until 5pm, with an hour either side to set up and pack away.

And of course, The Society of Ancients will be awarding a number of prizes (for various criteria, some more frivolous than others) to the wargamers on the day, including prizes for Best Game and Best Terrain. With luck the lazy figure painter (that would be me) will have painted the prizes beforehand this year…

To offer to stage a game – contact Richard Lockwood at battleday@soa.org.uk or else via his details in Slingshot. But in any case, come along and take part as a player.

The cost of participating in the Battle Day, to contribute towards hire of venue and tables, will be held at £7 (juniors free), as it has been for several years now.

Every year it just gets better and better – this really should be a regular event on your calendar. Don’t miss out – come and be part of it!

The Battle Day is open to both members and non-members of the Society of Ancients.

2011 Battle Day - Kadesh

2011-03-25T11:34:00.000-07:00

The eighth annual Society of Ancients Battle Day will take place on Saturday 2 April at Sycamore Hall, Drayton Road, Bletchley, near Milton Keynes, MK2 3RR. This year the chosen battle is Kadesh, and we have eleven games refighting this epic battle, using the following rule sets:

Armati - Command & Colours: Ancients - DBMM - Donald Featherstone - Giant DBA - Hail Caesar - Lost Battles - Peltast and Pila - Piquet Archon - Warlord - Warmaster Ancients

I am sure you will agree this is an impressive array of games for you to come along and take part in - most of the games are still looking for generals to join them!

The day is open to both members and non-members of the Society, all are welcome. We have to make a small charge of £7 to all attendees to go towards venue and table hire, although juniors are free.

The timetable for the day is approximately:

8am Hall available for set-up

9am Official start of the battles

9:15am Introduction to Kadesh: Ian Russell-Lowell puts the battle in context, and discusses the key moments and controversial issues.

4pm Prize giving. Oh yes. We give prizes. One for Best Overall Game and one for Best Terrain. And then we will be awarding the much-coveted and entirely spurious individual prizes for tales of derring-do on the tabletop.

5pm Official close

6pm Hall must be vacated

Contact Richard Lockwood (email: Richard@thelockwood.com or phone:07990 510492)

Armati by the Sea 2011 results

2011-03-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

ARMATI BY THE SEA 2011

Sponsored by the Society of Ancients, Armati by the Sea was held at the Hotel Royale in Bournemouth over the weekend of 12th-13th March.

The format followed the now traditional matched pairs, with all the armies and terrain pre-selected and provided by the organisers (and drawn by lot for each round). All players were given A4 booklets containing full army lists and notes for all armies available in the pool (52 armies for 26 scenarios covering the full period range from 'Biblical' to 'Age of Chivalry').

After all 5 rounds, Roy Boss came out on top, with Bruce Rollet and Malcolm King as runners up.

The full results: 1: Roy Boss (132); 2: Bruce Rollet (127); 3: Malcolm King (109); then ... Stuart Campbell (100); Alan Zanich (92); John Bradley (84); Ian Kerr (83); Mark Fry (82); Craig Tannock (77); Phil Steele (69); Tim Cull (68); Paul Collins (64); Richard Jeffrey-Cook (58); Matthew Bennett (53); Oliver Hutt (47); Mick Owen (36).

Many thanks to Peter Barham for organising the event, to Mark Fry who umpired, and to Mark and Roy for again achieving the huge task of organising and providing all the armies, and shifting them down to Bournemouth.

Bookings are currently being made to secure the venue for Armati by the Sea 2012.

(On behalf of the Society of Ancients, Richard Jeffrey-Cook presented the Armati trophy to Roy Boss (central), Peter Barham (lower inserts) presented further awards for notable achievements. Photo by Phil Steele)

For more information and pictures from Society of Ancients events, please go to our Shows North blog (Ancients on the Move) ...

Phil Steele
President

People Posts and Prizes

2010-11-18T08:52:00.000-08:00

New Membership Secretary

At the end October Peter Garnett stepped down after two seasons of invaluable service as Society of Ancients Membership Secretary. Chris Helm has volunteered to take on this key role, and joins the Committee with immediate effect. A big welcome to Chris - whom some of you may have met as part of the Shows North team at Fiasco.

The Society's warmest thanks are due to Peter, who took over as Membership Secretary in our hour of need. We wish him the very best of luck. Web-based contacts for Memberships and Postal Sales are already redirected to Chris ... other contact details will be announced in the next issue of Slingshot.

(Paddy Griffith, as remembered by the Doormouse)

The John Westwood Trophy

It was with a unanimous decision that the 2010 Committee awarded the John Westwood Trophy for outstanding achievements in ancient and medieval history and wargaming set therein to the late Paddy Griffith in recognition of his remarkable life long contribution to military history and historical wargames.

The awarding of the prize was announced at the celebrated historian's memorial event at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst on November 6th.

For more on the event, there are links on my P.B.Eye-candy page...

(James Roach with the Paul Morris Memorial Prize axe)

The Paul Morris Memorial Prize

During a quiet interlude at this year's Fiasco show at Leeds, President of the Society of Ancients, Phil Steele, was able to present 2009 Paul Morris Memorial Prize winner, James Roach, with the ceremonial axe. The Paul Morris Memorial Prize is awarded annually to the most innovative non-commercial wargame set within the periods of the Society's remit.

The Committee is always happy to hear nominations and citations, although the Committee cannot engage in playtesting and evaluation, so consideration normally goes to wargames released publicly or on show at events and conventions.

Phil Steele
The Society of Ancients
www.soa.org.uk
http://soawargamesteam.blogspot.com/

2010 English DBA Open Results

2010-10-19T05:03:00.000-07:00

The 2010 English DBA Open was held on 10th October at the Southsea Community Centre. Sponsored by Magister Militum and the Society of Ancients, thanks are due to Portsmouth and Allied Wargames Society for hosting the event.

Congratulations to Scott Russell, the new English DBA Open Champion, and to James May, the new English DBA Open Junior Champion.

(left to right: James May - Junior winner - Scott Russell - Open Champion - Arnaud Marmier - runner up)

The entrants played off in three pools of 6, the winners plus best runner up going into semi finals, the top four Juniors likewise into their own knockout phase.

In semi final A, Scott Russell defeated Lindon Paxton (Early Carthaginians vs Syracusans) 4-2; In semi final B, Arnaud Marmier defeated Mark Schofield (Pyrrhic vs Camillan Roman) 4-0.

Using the same forces, Scott Russell defeated Arnaud Marmier in the final 4-1.

James May won the Junior event.

Richard Pulley won the Plate Competition.

For an illustrated blog, please visit Ancients on the Move

Many thanks from the Society of Ancients to all those who supported the event. With a minimum of 5 games each, all the entrants had a busy and worthwhile day: we look forward to seeing everyone again in 2011 if not before.

Phil Steele
The Society of Ancients
www.soa.org.uk

Pool results: A: A Marmier 22; M Smith 16; M Myers 11; R Dowling 7; D Constable 6; R Walker (J) 5. B: S Russell 21; M Schofield 20; R Pulley 8; T Ellis 6; S Etheridge 6; P Myers (J) 5. C: L Paxton 20; C O'Shea 14; P Steele 13; F Schofield (J) 11; J Drury 11; J May (J) 0.

Armies and popularity: Viking (2); Ghaznavid (2); Early Burgundian (2); Patrician Roman (2 ... 1 East, 1 West) ... then 1 entry each: Early Sumerian; Minoan; Kushite Egyptian; Spring & Autumn Chinese; Asiatic Early Successor; Ptolemaic; Middle Imperial Roman; Feudal Spanish; Medieval French; Medieval Portuguese.

ENGLISH DBA OPEN 2010

2010-10-01T23:09:00.000-07:00

(one of last year's semi finals)

The Society of Ancients looks forward to next weekend's English DBA Open, hosted again by the Portsmouth and Allied Wargames Society.

Sponsored by the Society of Ancients and Magister Militum, the English DBA Open is a one-day event running from 9am on Sunday 10th October. To enter, or for more details, visit the English DBA Open information page
Junior, Senior and 25mm categories are available, and trophies and prizes will be presented.

For more information about the Society of Ancients, visit our website
www.soa.org.uk

SOCIETY OF ANCIENTS DOUBLES MASTERS

2010-07-30T07:03:00.000-07:00

Good luck to all the competitors in this year's Doubles Masters Tournament.

Over 40 competitors will be gathering over the coming weekend on Oxford Brooke's University's Wheatley Campus to contest the 2010 title.

Organised by the BHGS and sponsored by the Society of Ancients, the event, this year, consists of a single 'English Open' round in 15mm scale using Field of Glory rules. The south of Oxford venue will also be playing host to Flames of War and Field of Glory Renaissance (beta, singles) competitions.

(last year's champions with the Alexander trophy. Will they retain their crown?)

Details of 'runners and riders' etc. can be found on the BHGS website www.bhgs.co.uk

Update on Veni Vidi Vici discounts

2010-06-07T15:13:00.001-07:00

Justin Taylor of Veni Vidi Vici asked me to update you all that the 10% discount that he offers SoA members is against everything at VVV, not just shield transfers. We will of course amend the website Discount programme section and Slingshot accordingly. A reminder of the website:
www.3vwargames.co.uk. I advise contacting Justin by email before ordering via the website, to check how to claim your 10% discount.

More discounts for SoA members

2010-05-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

The Assault Group is offering our members a 5% discount, which on top of the free shipping that they offer customers, is very welcome. See their website at at http://www.theassaultgroup.com/
as ever, I advise you to email them before making th order, with your membership number.

More good news: Columbia Games is offering Society of Ancients members a whopping 20% discount on direct purchases through his website at http://www.columbiagames.com/
Please email Columbia ahead of making an order, so that the discount can be agreed.
Many thanks to Columbia Games for making this generous offer.

Armati-by-the-Sea IV Results

2010-03-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

Armati-by-the-Sea (2010)

Peter Barham has sent me the full results of the fourth annual Armati-by-the-Sea event staged in Bournemouth over the weekend of 6-7th March 2010.

Pos. Player ave score (max 32)

1. Phil Steele (25.4)
2. Bill Wilson (25.0)
3. Malcolm King (21.2)
4. Roy Boss (20.6)
5. Vincent Auger (20.4)
6. John Bradley (18.4)
7. Matthew Bennett (17.2)
8. Bruce Rollett (16.8)
9. Rodger Williams (16.4)
10. Craig Tannock (15.4)
11. Ian Kerr (15.2)
12. Tim Cull (14.6)
13. Michel Acloque (14.4)
14. Carl Luxford (14.2)
15. Peter Barham (13.6)
16. Mark Fry (13.2)
17. Stuart Campbell (12.2)
18. Kate Lake (10.8)
19. Paul Collins (8.2)
20. Mick Owen (6.8)

The event was managed by Peter Barham and (occasionally) umpired by Mark Fry. Peter and Phil Steele presented prizes on behalf of the Society. The 22 matched pairs of armies were assembled and provided by Mark Fry and Roy Boss. The Society of Ancients thanks everyone for a magnificent job.

There are pictures and comment from the event on the Society's Ancients on the Move blog (here ...)

Next Year? Peter has provisionally announced March 12/13th 2011 for the Fifth Annual Armati By the Sea event.

Phil Steele

The next Society of Ancients sponsored event will be the DBA Northern Cup to be held at Triples, 17th April at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield

2010 reshuffle

2010-03-12T10:21:00.000-08:00

Apologies to anyone who found contacting us difficult around the end of February. For reasons beyond our control, the website and associated mailboxes were out of action for an annoyingly protracted period - how long it takes the host to allow payment details to be updated!

The Society of Ancients Website is back and fully functioning.

The online subscriptions and payments services are available, and email contacts are live.

Behind the shop-front, there have been some changes. Mark Watson retires as editor with issue 268 that has just gone out. Many thanks are due to Mark for the fantastic job he has done; for masterminding the journal's makeover as well as two years of great content ... and then staying until we could find a new editor!

Richard Taylor takes over with 269 (and inevitably, thanks are also due to Richard who, in turn, is taking over earlier than originally planned) - please extend him all your support.

Daivid Barnsdale steps up from the Championship's leading advocate (and most prolific player) to Wargames Championship Organizer. Thanks go to Bill Thurlow for steering the Championship through its trial year in 2009. Contact Daivid at Championship@soa.org.uk and please start registering games via the website submissions form.

As well as kudos and crockery, the 2010 Championship boasts an attractive extra prize of £100 worth of 25mm figures donated by Hinchliffe. More sponsorship will be announced during the course of the year. The Championship is open to any current Society of Ancients members, and runs throughout the membership year. Computer games are allowed as well as traditional formats, and online games possible with the agreement of both players (check the website for more detailed rules).

A 2010 subscription to the Society of Ancients costs £20 and brings the full range of member benefits and discounts as well as 6 issues of the Society's celebrated journal, Slingshot. You can become a member by applying online (here ...), contacting the Membership Secretary, or meeting us at a show or event.

Slingshot 268

2010-03-05T16:48:00.000-08:00

The latest issue of Slingshot is 268, publishing date January 2010. This issue is running somewhat late in order to try and pick up the most complete version of the resubscription database and avoid subsequent one-off postings.

The next issue will be the March issue. The delay to January's issue will probably have a knock on effect on March. Also, from March Slingshot will have a new editor.

This issue is 56 pages long, not including the cover pages. It's published in the same format introduced with issue 258.

The contents of Slingshot 268 are as follows. For games articles, I've indicated the relevant rule set where it's not immediately obvious from the title; with historical articles I've tried to indicate period if a similar issue applies.

Zama 202BC, the 2010 SoA Battle Day Battlepack, by Richard Lockwood
The Manichaeans in the army of Alexius , by Jim Webster
“Let the magilum boats of Meluhha transport gold and silver”: Mesopotamian Warfare Notes X, by Alastair McBeath
Yongle’s Campaigns in the South: The Ascent of Yongle, by John Walsh
[ DBA ] III/46. Early Medieval Goídil (ca. 795-1297 C.E.), by Brian Girard
[ Armati ] Adapting Balaclava to Roman Britain, by Chris Hahn
Beating Shock Troops with Light Foot in FoG, by Christopher Webber
Naval Campaign Rules Using Naumachiae, by Christopher Webber
Mesopotamian & Chronological Notes from AMW, by Alastair McBeath
[ DBM ] The Wolf on the Fold, by John Graham Leigh
Impetus – a Very Brief Overview, by Mike Brian
New Year Review Feast!, by Various Voices
China: The Middle Kingdom, reviewed by John Graham-Leigh
Richard III – The Wars of the Roses, reviewed by John Graham-Leigh
Figure Reviews, by David Edwards & Mark Watson

New additions to the discount programme!

2010-02-19T03:26:00.000-08:00

We have several new vendors joining our discount programme:

Blaze Away can offer a flat 10% to our members on any sized order. Members will just need to indicate in the text box of the online order process that they are SOA members and to include their membership number, which Blaze Away can verifiy with us later. Alternatively, members can email their order and Blaze Awaw will send an invoice with the discount included. Check them out at blazeaway.com.au

Hinds Figures Ltd are offering members a 10% discount. Contact Ian at Hinds in advance of making an order, with your membership number. You can then agree with him how to make the order. This offer also includes the Hinchliffe figure range that Ian sells. Note this offer is not in conjunction with other discount offers that Hinds have. See the figures at http://www.hindsfiguresltd.com/

Tumbling Dice UK are also now offering members a 10% discount. As above, contact them first with your membership number. Find them at http://www.tumblingdiceuk.com/

10mm specialists Pendraken Miniatures will give SoA members a 10% discount on orders over £50. As usual, contact them first before ordering. They have a new website launching in February and have said they would welcome any feedback from our members. Have a look at http://www.pendraken.co.uk/

Nick Eyre at North Star is extending a 10% offer to our members for Crusader Miniatures UK, Artizan Design and North Star Military Figures. Note that Nick can only offer this to mail order customers, and not at shows. Again contact him in advance. See the ranges at http://www.northstarfigures.com/

Hopefully more to come!

Society of Ancients Roll of Honour 2009

2010-02-09T15:54:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the 2009 Prize Winners

The Society of Ancients would like to thank all the participants, organisers, and sponsors who made its 2009 events a success, and the authors and contributors without which Slingshot would not be possible.

The special award winners:

(the prize winning game pictured at Fiasco)

The Paul Morris Memorial Prize (for the most innovative new non-commercial wargame within the Society's remit):

James Roach and the Ilkley lads for 'Fleet of Battle' as seen at Fiasco 2009

(more on this at http://olicanalad.blogspot.com/2009/10/contemplating-my-naval.html)

Tony Bath Award (for invaluable contributions to running the Society of Ancients):

John Graham-Leigh for his sterling service on the secondary distribution of Slingshot to late subscribing members.

Deryck Guyler Award (a special award for assisting the promotion of the Society):

To Paul Innes for his support of the BattleDay in Scotland and in galvanising local shows support.

The Persian Helmet (The players' player award at Britcon)

Ray Duggins

... And to the Slingshot contributors:

Editor's Prize

Doug Melville 'Putting it All Together - the Sassanians Re-Examined'

Charles Grant Prize

Awarded for the best article covering a B.C. topic up to 500 BC:

Alastair McBeath 'Mesopotamian Warfare'

The Phil Barker Prize for an article in the period 500 BC to 1 AD

Patrick Waterson 'Amazed was I Ere I saw Zama'

The Ian Greenwood Prize

Awarded for the best article 0 to 1000 A.D: Stewart Hey 'Ambush at Callinicum'

The Alan Nickels Prize

Awarded for the best article post 1000 A.D.:Mick Hession 'Cogadh Gaedhil, Medieval Irish Warfare 600 - 1500 AD'

Best Wargames Article, sponsored by Gripping Beast:

Adrian Goldsworthy for his series 'Thinking About Romans'

And Congratulations to the Wargames prize winners:

SoA Doubles Masters

1. Graham Evans/Wayne Dare 2. Dave Handley/Nic Sharp, 3. Bob Amey/Andy Ellis

Society of Ancients/BHGS GB Armati League

Bill Wilson

Northern DBA Cup (Hosted by Triples)

Graham Fordham

English DBA Open (co-sponsored with Magister Militum)

Colin O'Shea

(Martin Myers and Colin O'Shea pose with their awards)

The Society of Ancients Championship

John Davis (top placed player in the 2009 trial year)

The Society of Ancients Armati by the Sea

1.Bill Wilson 2. Malcolm King 3. Matthew Bennett

The Society of Ancients Anderida Trophy

Kevin Large/Andy Rourke

Thanks also to the BHGS for administrative help, and to Gripping Beast, Magister Militum and Ancient and Modern Army Supplies for sponsoring prizes

Slingshot 267

2010-01-12T03:54:00.000-08:00

The latest issue of Slingshot is 267, publishing date November 2009. It still seems to wending its very slow way through the snow from printers to mailing house and thence to subscribers.

The next issue will be the January issue (which I actually hope to get to the printers in January).

This issue is 60 pages long, not including the cover pages. It's published in the same format introduced with issue 258.

The contents of Slingshot 267 are as follows. For games articles, I've indicated the relevant rule set where it's not immediately obvious from the title; with historical articles I've tried to indicate period if a similar issue applies.

Mercenary Genitors in the 1470s, by Duncan Head
Constantius II, Ammianus, and the Big Parade, Part 3, by Jim Sye
The Gladius vs. the Sarissa – The Battle of Heraclea 280BC, by Jeff Champion
The Battle of Pydna, by Richard Taylor
Battle of the Year: the Decisive Victory over Varus, by Robert Heiligers
AMW’s Lost Battles I – Marathon, 490BC, by Graham Evans
Combining ‘Empire’ and ‘Lost Battles’, by Philip Sabin
Army Choice in DBA – The English DBA Open 2009, by Martin Smith
Results of Legion 2009 DBA Tournament, by Martin Smith
Welsh DBA Open Championship, January 31st 2009, by Martin Smith
[ Armati ] AD 9 – “Give Me Back My Legions”, by Mark Fry
Clash of Iron, Flash of Bronze: FoG Ancients Campaign rules, by Christopher Webber
Games Reviews, by Christopher Webber
Book Reviews, by Robert Heiligers & Mark Watson
Guardroom

Monarch Books and Iceni Games join SoA Discount Programme

2010-01-11T15:10:00.000-08:00

I am delighted to announce that Monarch Books and Iceni Games are now offering a 10% discount to members on orders over £15 in value on purchases made either through the website or at shows. This includes both books and minatures.

The websites can be found at:
www.monarchmilitarybooks.com
www.icenigames.co.uk

The Monarch side will concentrate on the Publications area of their business eg Rules and Books etc, and Iceni will be the place to go for Xyston and other miniatures, boardgames etc.

As usual, email them in advance of making your order, telling them your membership number and your intnetion to order. They will help you through the process to obtain the discount.

Slingshot Editor's Prizes

2009-11-26T08:58:00.000-08:00

As sent out to the Society Yahoo! Group:

"Time once again for the announcement of the year's editor's prizes (i.e. the subset of SoA prizes which are within the grant of the editor), and following on from our esteemed president's announcement of the new Phil Barker prize. This year, I should mention, the list of potential prizewinners was significantly longer than the list of actual winners. To avoid various cats getting a good kicking, I won't list the articles and authors that just missed out. But it's a good thing to have such a large reservoir of quality material (and the amount currently "in the hopper" is actually more than at any other time when I've been editor), and it reflects the amount of new, high quality material that has come in over the past 12 months.

The prizes are awarded for articles published in the 6 issues running from November 2008 to September 2009 (reflecting the fact that they would have previously been announced at the AGM). Some "series" articles do cross the "consideration year" boundary, and those that do so this year will be eligible for consideration in the 2010 prizes.

• The Editor's Prize: Doug Melville, for "Putting it All Together: the Sasanians Re-Examined", S/s 260, 261, 264
• The Charles Grant Prize (for a historical article in the period pre 500 BC): Alastair McBeath, once again, for his Mesopotamian Warfare series, S/s 261-266 and ongoing
• The (inaugural) Phil Barker Prize (500-1 BC): Patrick Waterson, for "Amazed Was I Ere I Saw Zama", S/s 262
• The Ian Greenwood Prize (1-1000 AD): Stewart Hey, for "Ambush at Callinicum 531AD", S/s 263
• The Alan Nickels Prize: (post 1000 AD): Mick Hession, for "Cogadh Gaedhil, Medieval Irish Warfare 600-1500AD", S/s 263-265
• The award for Best Wargaming Article, kindly sponsored by Gripping Beast: Adrian Goldsworthy, for "Thinking About Romans", S/s 263-266 and ongoing

Congratulations to the winners. David Edwards will be contacting them individually to establish the how they'd like to receive their prize."