Noverre

Military Intelligence?

2009-06-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

The Duke briefs his loyal agent Jacques le Pegge before he goes to the border.

Jacques and his sister Jean leave to discover the truth in the rumours of Troops massing on the border with Els.

After many frenzied hours of discussion with the Chancellor it seems obvious that the Duke can only afford to raise forces very, very slowly.

True he has those troops raised by Herr Fiks and Messrs Zvesda and others, that were his original intention, they are however too small in stature to perform joint manouvres with those of Wittenberg.

It has been decided that the existing troops will be armed and equipped to defend the nation, whilst a start is made on searching for a suitable agent to provide men who can take the field to the greater glory of his realm.

Messieurs Green would seem the only viable option at this stage for Line troops at least.

The Grand Unveiling

2009-05-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

The Court outside the Town House

The Dowager Duchess

Brown Stikk, The Chamberlain

The Very Grand Duchess

An Old Retainer

Mr. S.B.J.Vauban

Great Aunt Lucy

The Russian Ambassador

And Finally

The Grand-Duke Himself

As promised, Thanks Allan.

An intercepted message.

2009-05-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy day for the Duke, Starting with his poseing,( again) for his court picture, for a long while he has managed to avoid all appointments made for sittings by the Duchess, but today failed. His likeness has now been captured in oils by the renowned artist Pierre Kodak.
and an official viewing has been promised for this very evening.
Barely had he risen, when a member of the household approached with a waterlogged package, found on the body of a Courier from Els to the Monrovians.
It is believed that the man met his death at the infamous Risenbach falls, high in the high hills to the North.
Retiring to his chamber, he opened the blood and water soaked package and studied the contents.
It was obviously a government document, written in bureaucratese, and much was illegible.
With the aid of a glass,he copied out the documents for study by his advisors.
Although fragmentary, some phrases could be clearly read.

" Whilst at first glance, this may appear to be a parodoxical dichotomy, the reality is far more complex"
" This term may not be used in future as it has been discovered that 4% of the population can no longer be considered a minority"
" I`m not here to work, I`m in charge."
"Can you not accept that your use of the word Americanism, might be taken as being rude and disrespectful"

Clearly in code:
He must pass it over to the experts, that little band known as " The Followers"

Better pics?

2009-05-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

The Duke was in his Counting House.

2009-05-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

The Grand -duke sits with his head in his hands,

The cause of his distress;

The price of brushes, more than 2 ducats apiece.

The costs of civil improvements, clothing for the Duchess, subsidies for University students, upkeep of the Ducal carriage combine to make his treasury resemble that of Grand-mere Hubbard.

How is he to pay the commissioning agents to increase his field army, clothe them, provide horse and Baggage, fortifications, Cannon, a new palace?

Time perhaps to look at the taxation system;

For many years it has been the custom to receive half of all taxes due in the form of labour or services.

The people of the towns and countryside, whatever their rank, serve their nation for one day a week, building and maintaining roads and bridges, forts and palaces. Or serving where their expertise is most needed. The cash paid, less costs of collection are thus available to purchase the raw materials, and services of experts like Monsieur Vaubum, or Leonardo the Handyman.

A simple system, half the cash collected, requiring half the costs of collection.

So labour is no problem,

many of the neccessary materials lie within his realm,

but money, aye that is a problem.

Sipping at a glass of Amber nectar, gives him pause,

The entire population is known for its inventiveness in turning fruit and vegetable into liquor, (in the widest possible sense at least.)

If control could be established, many a neighbouring state could enjoy(well endure)

Noverrian brews and vintages, Barges could travel continent wide, bringing much needed revenues to his coffers.

Then troops could be raised to circumvent the machinations of Els, Monrovia and others.

Then too could he afford paint, yeah and brushes too.

He steps outside, turns and admires the newly decorated facade of La Bete Noir.

Bon nuit mes amis, he calls to the world .

Time to Reminisce

2009-04-26T09:26:00.000-07:00

Exhausted, the Grand Duke slumped in his chair, leafing idly through his journal, he sees that more than a year has passed since he last had time to enter his thoughts and actions, no surely that cannot be true. Those vile Monrovians have agents everywhere, it must have been they who stole the missing pages.

Thinking back he recalls how the demands of state and those of the Dowager duchess have left him little time, but now with a glass of single malt from his ancestral home, sits at his side, he has some time to detail the happenings of the past months.

The cartographers at the university have taken much of his time, but with little to show for the efforts. In virtual desperation the Corps d`engineers and Articifers have been set the task of surveying the duchy. Much progress has been made and many tasks of civic improvement set in motion as a result of their passage. The most impressive of which must be the construction of a canal on the River Grosstinkel, which runs northwards to the provinces of Wittemberg and unfortunately the vile Monrovians. Bypassing les Roches Noir, which made that stretch of the river un-navigable has opened communications with the north and hopefully customs duties on goods passing along the river will help boost the duchy`s poor financial status.

Much will be needed if he is to put the plans of Monsieur Vauban into practice,
not The Vauban of course, such expense would be beyond all that his duchy could afford, but B.S.(Johnson) Vauban.
The Duchess has unfortunately seen the plans for the new palace, which will make that of Wittemberg look like some Saxon Great Hall, and is adopting the strategies of her Greek heroine to inspire him to move forward with their implementation.

Hence his presence in the back room of La Bete Noir.

Sitting with a second glass in his hand, his thoughts go back to his early years on this imaginent, indeed his first independant command in the army of Wittemberg.

A beautiful early April morning, Captain D`oyly Carte surveys his own little kingdom, unaware that hidden in the early morning mist are vistors from two foreign powers.

Both Wittemberg and Monrovia, in need of provisions for the forthcoming fighting season, have sent forces to his fair village.

The Wittemberg Light Cavalry arrive first and make the Captain an offer, even he cannot refuse, and he rushes to tell the villagers to get the stores out into the streets to load the Wittemberg wagons. They then take up position to deny access to the Monrovians who have just appeared.

They must buy a little time, with their lives if neccessary, until the infantry and wagons arrive.

The Monrovian Cavalry commander takes in the situation at a glance and orders a charge to sweep away the enemy cavalry screen, whilst his infantry enter the village to snatch the supplies from beneath the noses of the Wittemberg command.

His troops misunderstood his command and rally back to reform ready to charge later.

The infantry continue into the village.

Although dissapointing, there seems little problem as the Monrovian forces sweep into the valley, with only a screen of cavalry facing them
the supplies are as good as theirs.

The Wittemberg cavalry, seeing the advancing enemy, prepare for glory and charge into the milling Monrovian cavalry driving them from the field. and prepare to strike deep into the Jaegers protecting the enemy wagons.

They take casualties, but job done they retire in good order, behind their own Jaeger who have occupied Windmill ridge, whilst the infantry take position to defend the village.

Leaving the 2nd Regt to enter the village, The 1st make a flank march to protect the supplies from any attack from that direction, only to come under fire from villagers who seem to believe them the enemy.
To the troops disgust, orders are given not to return the fire even though their colleagues are falling wounded in the ranks.

As the 2nd Regt enters the village accompaning the wagons, they too come under fire and again are given orders not to fire back or raze the village to the ground.
Field -Major Douglas knows that the neutrality of this province will be vital in supplying his troops in the future, whatever the provocation to respond.

The 3rd Regt arrives and takes fire from two sides as they enter the village.
The villagers are firing at all and sundry now and advancing Monrovians start to fall to the villagers fire.
Chaos is looming, villagers fire in all directions, the village livestock escapes from its pen and races down the main street, obstructing the loading of the wagons still further.

The field Major keeps calm, his outflanking regiment, turns to face the flank of the only Monrovians in the village. The volley is relatively ineffectual, but combined with the fire from the villagers, is enough to convince the Monrovians to retire.

Screened by their own chastened light cavalry, who return to the fight. ( The pep talk from the Commander in Chief seems to have had an effect, they now seem ready to face the Devil himself.)
The Monrovian forces march away in search of supplies elsewhere.

Seeing this, the Field major orders the loaded wagons out of the village with their infantry guard. The cavalry and Jaeger will form the rear guard to cover against any pursuit by the Monrovians.
The villagers, seeing both sides march away, believe they have won the day, much Ale will flow tonight and the tale will grow with the quaffing.

Yes, it was a glorious day, mission accomplished, minimal casualties, and one in the eye for the vile Monrovians.
It was to be the first of many encounters with them, and not a fewMonrovians bore him ill will.

Only last week a report came from the Corps of Diplomatic Guides that plans are being hatched for an attack on fair Noverre.
Tomorrow he must to the dockyard to view progress on the fleet of Xebecs he has commissioned.
But now, to sleep, perchance to dream,but, please, not that 9-5 nightmare that has occupied many a hour of recent time.

Home at last.

2007-08-08T13:37:00.001-07:00

No not the French, it was worse than that. It was La presse, and the poor duke found himself all at sea in the flagship of the fleet. True, he had ordered la presse to engage a volunteer crew for Le Cochon Noir under the command of Capitaine Chienlave. An informative experience for him to become a member of that crew and one that will not be repeated.

Once he had established his identity to the Captain, it was not an unpleasant voyage, and indeed gave him time to review his handling of the country to date,and indeed on how he came to become head of state.

The crucial incident came on the evening of 16th April 1746, when surrounded by a few survivors he realised that not only was the battle lost but the country too;
determining , in the words of The Bruce, " Never , in any way to submit to the domination of the English" He led his small band, by torturous route to the coast, whence a fishing boat took him to the coast of the continent. Service in the armies of the area, led him slowly south west, until he reached the borders of Wittenburg in whose army he played a minor but important role, before entering the service of Noverre,

His romance and marriage to Milady de la Nuit was very much the stuff of romantic legend,and it was a series of unfortunate accidents, (to other people,) that left him as heir presumptive to the throne.
Now he has a county to rule, the maps have not yet arrived from the engravers, but the overview of the area is to be appended to this document.
The armies are to parade later this week for a Grande review and it is to be hoped that woodcuts will be available for distribution.
The navy too is busy preparing, painting and scrubbing for the occasion.
For now a glass of Bordelaux wine, and he will seek his bed.

The Roads to Noverre

2007-06-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

.

Again the G-Duke sits in his favorite chair at La Bete Noir, letting his thoughts run back over the events of the past week. A week of celebration, The betrothal is anounced between his youngest son Charles Edward and Mimi, the youngest daughter of the Burgomeister of Endorre. It is hoped that this will further cement relations with our neighbour and facilitate communications with Wittenburg which lies beyond and whose envoy is expected to arrive, early next week. The Gendarmerie de Marin, who garrison the exits of the passes from the mountains have been warned of his arrival, and although it is early days, communications indicate a level of rapport and it is hoped we can work together to maintain peace in this part of Urop.

Good news also from the General D`ordinance, the first cadres have reported for duty and equipping has started. The early samples of the new uniforms have arrived and do look good.

Furthermore a search of the storerooms have discovered a batch of uniforms left over from the `76 celebrations. The historians inform me that following the arrival of an emissary from The Americas, a grand ball was held. troops were dressed in what was believed to be the correct uniforms and The Bostonian Tree party was re`enacted in his honour. The uniforms, although a little strange, even futuristic to our eyes are still in reasonable condition and will be used to re-equip our forces pending arrival in sufficient quantity of the new.

On paper we have a formidable force to defend our realm against any aggressor, but it has to be admitted that the knowledge of formation, drill and tactics is still sadly lacking at all levels.

I have requested a copy of General Du ffy`s instructions to the army, but until that can be found in the dusty recesses of the library, we must muddle through as best we can.

Joint manouevres are planned with the forces of Wittenburg.

Alarums and more Alarums, prevented the Grand -duke from continuing.

Cries of TheFrench are at the Gates, sent him leaping from his chair and racing into the night.

Just one week?

2007-06-22T12:32:00.000-07:00

The Grand-duke sits alone in the back room of La Bete Noir, a glass of Calvadros at his elbow, he has escaped from the city, northwards, over the old Roman Bridge and for the first time in a week he is alone.
Is it just a week since he acceded to the throne, a week of meetings, with the Council to discuss his plans for the future, with the Royal college, to set the Archivists and Cartographers to work, Can it really be possible that no map exists of these realms?
Of course everyone knows that the breakaway province of Els, lies across the river of the same name to the East. It was the Grand-duchy of Noverre -Els for goodness sake.
They know that the great lake lies to the south, indeed some refer to it as La Grand Mer, and that the forest La Bois du Noir borders the North East. But how far is it from Soupcon to Doyenne? For what distance is the River Midden navigable?
As for the people, No not the peasantry, all we need to know there, is how many there are, and how much we can raise in taxes, but the Nobility.
Any man in the street could tell me that the Lady Sarah de Bechemel is the dowager Countess of St Pierre, but could they name her 15 children ( or even their fathers)?
Then there were the meetings with the costumiers, Messrs Funcken to decide on which particular shade of Grey the army should be wearing, What army? The palace Guard and a handful of trained bands in each province. Even the promised Cadres had failed to muster.
History may well talk of The Grand old duke, with his ten thousand men, manouevering up hill and down dale, that seems only a dream at present.
And then the sutlers, that hideous man Le clerc with his samples of mottled green cloth for the Coureurs duBois , Camoflage he called it, I`m prepared to agree with General le, "A man wouldn`t be seen dead in it."
The treasurer was no better, demanding money for a new handbag and shoes, whilst my army goes without soldiers. What is a man to do? Is Noverre to remain a Realm of split infinitives, mixed metaphors and massacred franglais?
At least we have managed to avoid an interview with the editor of that dreadful newsletter Le Soleil, he will no doubt have some ideas that the old Arch- Duke did not ,as the populace believe, trip and impale himself on his own Boar spear. But that it is the hand of the Dastardly James Comte de Els, my cousin and ruler of what once was and will be again part of my duchy.
The only light relief has come from the Midsommer celebrations, although the participants from outside our Realm were few, I think all enjoyed the contests of Riding, swordplay and shooting. Personally I feel that the exhibition of William le Kidde with his pistol and five playing cards was brash in the extreme, but the crowd loved it.
The interior pursuits of cardplay was well received, But the Cruet manouvre and Monologue was spoilt somewhat when the present champion Major Toutpourune, whilst halfway through the seventeenth word perfect repitition, picked up the walnut, that represents" Young Farquarson Don`t ye know" Crushed it between his fingers, mumbled "Half a League" and rushed from the room. Most ungentlemanly to blame Comtess Lucy, who was merely leaning over the table to admire his dexterity.
The highlight as ever was on the Tarte de Creme Anglais range, where points are awarded for the combination of Range, accuracy and burst pattern.
For now the Grand duke will enjoy his wine, tomorrow, well tomorrow is another day.

Where to Begin

2007-06-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

Day 1.
The duchy of Noverre has sprung Phoenix like from the ashes of a long wargaming history, The wheel has gone almost full circle.
My first wargaming figures were Airfix Infantry Combat Group at 1/10 a box. Before that I just played with Toy soldiers, now I`m not too sure which I do.
Next came Airfix Guards colour parties, with paper bicornes, and red and blue uniforms and articles in Battle magazine about the joys of The Game. See where this is heading?
Now I have a teenage son interested in playing with Dads toys.
History may well repeat itself,