The 2024 Society of Ancients Convention will take place once again at Madingley Hall, Cambridge, over the weekend of the 25th - 27th October 2024.
Our keynote speaker on Saturday evening pre-dinner will be John Bassett OBE. John is an innovative game designer, stalwart member of Wargames Developments as well as being a sometime contributor to Slingshot over the years. And that is just his hobby bio! The subject of his talk is one of his long-held obsessions - the fall of the Roman Republic, and he will be running his own-designed committee game based on this the following day – so hear the talk, play the game!
We will have a talk from Dr Matthew Bennett on the poem and battle of Maldon 991 AD, based on material he put together back in 1991 for a talk to celebrate the 1000th anniversary. As a Society veteran, and indeed Convention veteran, Matt needs little introduction to members, so expect a stimulating discussion (including something on berserkers). And of course this will whet the appetite for the 2025 Battle Day, where many of us will be refighting our versions of the battle.
We also have a talk confirmed from Ian Piper on the subject of the Numidian general and prince Masinissa. Ian says: Masinissa was considered quite an action hero by later generations of Romans if Appian is any guide, but who was he and who were the 'Numidians?' In addition, Ian will be running a related 28mm game featuring Numidians.
As for other games, we already have some crackers lined up!
If you were hoping to book a place at this year’s Convention, you are unfortunately too late. All bookings had to be made by 31st August. However, we will be running another Convention in October 2025.
The 2025 Society of Ancients Convention will this year take place at Missenden Abbey, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, over the weekend of the 26th - 28th September 2025.
Packages available are:
| Full weekend package | Friday dinner, bed and breakfast, Saturday lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast, Sunday lunch; plus all teas and coffees | £290 |  |
| Conference package | Saturday lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast, Sunday lunch; plus all teas and coffees | £200 | |
| Single day - Saturday | includes Saturday lunch; plus all teas and coffees | £45 | |
| Single day - Sunday | includes Sunday lunch; plus all teas and coffees | £45 | |
The Convention is very much an opportunity to participate in a plethora of battles using a variety of both new and well-worn rulesets. In many cases, the rules’ authors and various experts are on hand for discussion. A full programme of events and games will be published nearer the date.
Bookings can be made using the links above or by cheque sent to the Treasurer made payable to the Society of Ancients.
Please note that bookings must be made by 30th June. After that date we cannot guarantee that places will be available.
The annual Conference is where the Society of Ancients gets together for a weekend to exchange ideas on wargaming in the ancients and medieval periods. And to enjoy playing some good and varied wargames!
As in previous years, things kicked off on the Friday evening with a boardgame session that went on until midnight when even the ragged band of Viking raiders decided it was time to pack up and go to bed. The rest of the weekend consisted of a presentation followed by breakout sessions where Conference participants were invited join one of several games.
When was it: 2nd - 3rd November 2019
Where was it: Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth
The annual Conference is where the Society of Ancients gets together for a weekend to exchange ideas on wargaming in the ancients and medieval periods. And to enjoy playing some good and varied wargames!
The weekend contains a mixture of presentations and wargaming sessions in small and larger groups. There are options to join the various activities, some of which will run more than once, so that you can choose what you like the look of, and what you don’t! It’s an opportunity to try new things, be they new rule sets that are under development, multi-player games with political elements, or more traditional games – all will be well-represented.
As in previous years, things kicked off on the Friday evening with a boardgame session that went on until midnight when even the ragged band of Viking raiders decided it was time to pack up and go to bed. The rest of the weekend consisted of a presentation followed by breakout sessions where Conference participants were invited join one of several games.