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Sunday 20 August 2023

Anglo-Dutch Wars books

 


As you maybe aware if you're a regular reader of my blog, The Rejects are going Mad for Barry Hilton's Mad For Rules naval rules, we all have, let's just say a few ships each to paint up. I'm concentrating on the English and Dutch, now I have to admit to not knowing much about the Anglo-Dutch War, so thought I should buy a book or two to give me a little background on the naval battles.
I saw on the Mad For War facebook page,  back on July 12th , a chap called Ernie Fosker added a list of Must Read books, 
I chose the two above, Ernie wrote 

* ‘Warships of the Anglo-Dutch Wars 1652 – 74’ author Angus KONSTAM; publisher Osprey Publishing, New Vanguard 183; ISBN: 978 1 84908 410 9 – yet another excellent book, highly recommended. When I was organising the demonstration game of ‘The Battle of Solebay 1672’ back in 2017 this became my ‘bible’ for information about the warships.

* ‘The Four Days Battles of 1666 – The Greatest Sea Fight of the Age of Sail’ author: Frank L FOX, publisher: Seaforth; ISBN: 978 1 84832 044 4 – I cannot recommend this highly enough, it is absolutely fascinating, a superb book, a MUST READ!

What follows isn't a review of the books, but a few photos and lists, just to wet your appetite, because they sure wet mine!!



Early Dutch Brederode 1653


The Restoration HMS St Andrew 1673


The Commonwealth Naseby 1652


The Sovereign 1662


Later Dutch Eedracht 1666 & Gouden Leeuw 1672


Raid on the Medway 1667












16 comments:

  1. The images of the ships look very nice Ray - I can see the attraction from the aesthetic standpoint but naval warfare just really doesn't excite me at all. I have played a few games - even tried Cruel Seas a couple of times, but I am pretty certain I won't ever get the bug like you guys have for Mad for RULES (sic)!
    (The Rejects are going Mad for Barry Hilton's Mad For Rules naval rules)

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    1. To be totally honest, I've never been into any naval games myself. Postie has some Napoleonic ships, that we've played several times, but its never really took my fancy. Its all Barry Hilton's fault, after seeing his Battle of Medway game at Partizan a while ago and getting involved with the game at Chatham Dockyard and having 2 days worth of really fun games, how could we not go mad for Mad For War, the really good thing about it, is you can have a great game on a 4x4 board, so you don't need that many ships. Of course the Rejects have gone the whole hog and bought tons of ships, we're not called the Rejects for nothing you know!

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  2. Never got involved in naval wargaming but very tempted I must admit, be good to see your groups project and see where it goes, very interesting.

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    1. Give them a go Donnie, its a really great game, and very easy to play, but with a good historical backbone.

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  3. I was hoping to find a book when I visited the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich last week. They had a great little exhibition space dedicated to Tudor and Stuart naval warfare but the bookshop was a little disappointing to say the least.

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    1. Two great books Lee, I know you've got 1 of them already, paying a £1 for it you lucky sod!

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  4. The Anglo Dutch wars are fascinating reads, the books look like wonderful resources.

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  5. The Four Days book is a gem! Lots of great info and colour.

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    1. I've only had a quick flick at the moment, gotta finish one of the 4 books I'm ready at the moment before I delve into it properly.

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  6. I have read a little about these battles in an abbreviated form in a book called 'Maritime Supremacy' years ago but that is about it for me. These look like great reference books.

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    1. They are Lawrence, they're both extremely helpful into getting to know the period.

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  7. I do like the age of sail though I focused on the Napoleonic wats; as I grew up reading those Hornblower (and all the others) books. These look like a good reference though. 😁

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    1. They are essential ready for the period Stew.

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  8. Great to see the enthusiasm for this new [project doesn't look like waining any time soon. Books look great btw,

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    1. No, it doesn't Joe, just wish I could finish the other projects I've got going before I dive in head first to the next one. Oh well, I suppose we all do it, don't we?

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