Guardroom
The debate continues over the credibility (and availability) of primary sources.

Zhizhi's Last Stand by Nicholas Spratt
Gan Yanshou’s victory in 36BCE is famous, not just because it was the only time a Chinese army would kill a Chanyu of the Xiongnu Empire, or because the Han army would have to travel 3400km from the capital to get there, but because a hapax legomenon in the Hanshu’s description has been interpreted as suggesting that China faced Roman Legionaries on the battlefield that day.

An Alternative Rant by David Kay
David Kay follows Simon Watson’s lead and has a look at the more problematic elements of current wargaming play mechanisms, troop classifications and other bones of contention.

Have at Thee, Varlet! by Anthony Clipsom
For most of us, ‘varlet’ is just a quaint, old expression for an example of degenerate scum. Anthony digs up the fascinating Mediaeval origins behind the word.

The Red Dragon and the White Boar by Chris Hahn
In the absence of a Battle Day with subsequent battle reports, here are several home games of Bosworth using Armati, l’Art de la Guerre and To The Strongest! Chris Hahn makes it clear that if Richard doesn’t throw away the battle with his charge, Henry is in real trouble.

Tactica II: A Ruleset Analysis by Paul Innes
A former editor makes a good case for why Tactica II is one of the most historically accurate and playable large battle rulesets out there, among other things creating nuanced troop types using troop category and quality, and catering for details like Roman line relief.

Slingshot Book & Game Reviews
Battles and Battlefields of Ancient Greece: A Guide to their History, Topography and Archaeology
Cities of the Classical World
The Wars of Alexander’s Successors 323-281 BC. Volume II: Battles & Tacticsblurbs

Editorial - In Memoriam Patrick Waterson

Guardroom

Bosworth Field 1485 Battle Pack - by Richard Lockwood

Bosworth Field is one of the most significant battles in English history, yet some details of the engagement are frustratingly unclear, even to the location of the battlefield—until recently. Richard Lockwood gives the findings of contemporary research.

The French at Bosworth - by Duncan Head

The French contingent at Bosworth was an important part of Henry’s army, but how large was it and how was it equipped? Duncan trawls through the sources to give a nuanced picture of mixed-arms infantry that were the beginnings of a French standing army.

Tactica II - A Personal Perspective - by Simon Watson

For Simon Watson, Tactica II strikes the ideal balance between ease of play, historical feel, the player’s decision-making, aesthetics, and the richness of troop diversity.

Providing Your Warhorses - by Jim Webster

Heavy cavalry has always been expensive, but Jim Webster shows just how expensive it was for the Frankish kingdom to raise good quality warhorses.

Numbers in Some Roman Battles - by Julian Lorriman

The standard wisdom is that Gallic armies consisted of vast numbers of warriors. But reading between the lines in the sources, Julian Lorriman comes up with a different picture.

Trouble in Paradise - by David Beatty

A good bout of bloody warfare in the peaceful islands of Hawaii where visitors in the 15th century were more likely to be met with spears than wreaths.

In One Side, Out the Other - by Chris Hahn

Interpenetration—one unit passing through another—in most wargaming rules is limited to psiloi and sometimes light horse. But in the past other troop types possessed this ability. Chris Hahn examines the evidence to see which ruleset best replicates the historical record.

Containing articles on

• Committee Report - by Roy Boss
• A Wargaming Rant - by Simon Watson
• From the Ground Up - by Chris Hahn
• The Field of Cynoscephalae: Battlefield Archaeology using Google Maps - by Richard Taylor
• Chances Are - by Nick Harbud
• Early Mediaeval Picts - by Hugh Coleman
• Wargaming My Way - by Gordon Lawrence
• Slingshot Book & Game Reviews: Battles and Battlefields of Ancient Greece: A Guide to their History, Topography and Archaeology - by Richard Taylor
• Slingshot Book & Game Reviews: Armies of Celtic Europe, 700 BC-AD 106: History, Organization & Equipment - by Duncan Head
• Slingshot Book & Game Reviews: The Pope’s Army. The Papacy in Diplomacy and War - by Jim Webster
• Slingshot Book & Game Reviews: The reign of Emperor Gallienus. The Apogee of Roman Cavalry - by Jim Webster
• Slingshot Book & Game Reviews: Lost Legion Rediscovered. The mystery of the Theban Legion - by Jim Webster
• Slingshot Book & Game Reviews: The Battle of Edgcote 1469 - by John Curry

As well as all the usual features.