Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Italian Campaign Begins

Scot and I have now commenced the Italian War Campaign and I must say that I enjoy trying to work out Scots next moves. So far the situation is as follows:

Scot represents France and Venice, yours truly represents Spain and The Papal States.

France A1 army of 120 florins under the command of the French King is based in Naples, A2 Army recruited in France and now marched onto Nice. (No doubt enjoying the Sunny climate)
Venetain A1 army of 59 florins is based in Venice, A2 army of 41 florins commenced the campaign in Ravenna and as now moved to Pasaro.
Papal A1 army of 72 florins under the command of Prospero Colonna a condottiero, mustered his army in Rome and as now moved onto Terni.
Spain A1 army 82 florins under the command Fernando d' avalos, Marquess of Pescara landed at Cosenza and as now marched onto Barletta.
The Spanish army draw a Campaign card denoting a plague in the region. On a throw of 5-6 a plague breaks out but fortunatly the Spanish commander throw a 2 "Phew"
The Papal Commander picked up a Russe de Guerre card with a Fabian Tactic which means my Papal General may avoid having a battle forced on him until the start of the next campaign phase.
Let me say "For those who wish to follow the campaign, why not get out a map of Italy and track Scots and my movements".
Campaigns are not everyones "Cup of Tea" but I find them challanging, in trying to out wit ones opponant and reading the Historical aspects of the period.
Now I'm waiting for Scot to make his next move(s).

First Trail Game for Italian Wars

Goodevening to you all, just a short post. Today, Scot and I played a trail game in preparation for our Italian War Campaign. The game was for the soul purpose to get an idea of the "Piquet" Rule set "Band of Brothers". We may have made some minor errors, having not played them on a regular bases before but when all is said and done, we both had a very good game. I dont know about everyone else but the more I get used this game mechanism the more I enjoy playing these rules. You either hate or love "Piquet", as for me, the more I play "Piquet" the more I'm able to gain an understanding of the philosphy that underpins this system. This is coming from someone who in the past did not wish to play them. Iam no expert yet in how to use the rules to benefit the armies I game with but given time I should beable to hold my own with the more experienced players.
Ho! by the way, Scot won the game, his Gendarmes performed very well on the day. No! it was not an easy victory for him, he had to work hard to win, especially when he had to take on 1 unit of Household Cavalry and 2 units of Heavy Lancers. I apologise to all those readers expecting photographs, only there was no camera available (The Newspaper people, forgot to pack it hA!). Scot has very kindly given me some Landsknecht Pike and Arqurebusiers, these will look good form either my papal guard or a Landsknecht pike block, once again Thanks Scot! and thanks Russ for lending me your figures for the day.
We are now ready to start the campaign, so when Scot and I set a date, I shall commence writing up the background on events and I do hope the "Newspaper people brink the camera Ha!". "What you my ask were Scots Units like?" I can sum in one word "Fantastic!!!!" and with that I shall sign off.

Up and coming "Pike and Plunder Italian War Campaign"

Before I continue with the news, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone who reads my Blog sight "A Happy New Year" with plenty of gaming. Now for the news, yes! I know it as been a long time since I put fingers to the Key Board, only I have been busy painting figures, for the Itallian Wars, Franco-Prussian War, World War 1 Russians etc; etc;
At this moment in time it will be Scott and me playing the Campaign. Scott will represent France and Venetian States, as for me I shall represent the Spanish and Papal States. The Rules for the campaign are "Pike and Plunder, Wargames Campaign Rules for the Italian Wars Version 2" by James Roach. I purchased these rules in 2009, for a princly sum of 5 Pounds, I must say a bargain. Having studied them they are well structured and easy to follow. The rules for the Table top gaming are "Piquet Master Rule Set" by Bob Jones and "Band of Brothers 1200-1600 A.D 2nd Edition" by Peter Anderson and Ken Baggaley. These Rules are what Scot and I will be using but I see no problems if a gamer wishes to substitute anothor set of Table Top Rules covering the Late Medieval Period.
Scot has been busy painting figures, Pike and cavalry units etc; the finished figures I shall get to see this coming Friday 15th when we will have a game. If I know anything about Scot's standard of painting, they will be Magnificent! It will also give Scot a chance to the Map of Italy, which I have had enlarged and laminated.
So! for those who wish to get into this colourful period, then I recommend you visit James Roach's Blog Sight "Pike And Plunder", where you will see photographs of his figures, gain an insight to the Italian Wars, plus read some very interesting Senarios.
In the future I shall be posting the progress on the Campaign and poblish photographs of the Battles.