historical

Henry VIII – Intrigue In The Tudor Court Game

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Garry Stevens offers a free downloadable board and card game called Henry VIII – Intrigue in The Tudor Court. Garry writes:

In this rambunctious but historically accurate game you scheme and connive to win influence with the King, so that your faction will control his chosen heir and rule all England when the King dies.

The game contains all the important characters of the time, rated for religion, ability and guile. You play Court cards to improve your own standing and confound your enemies. Can you marry a woman of your faction to the King? Perhaps your Ladies of the Bedchamber can persuade Henry of her charms. Your future seems assured if she gives Henry a son. But woe betide you should the King tire of her.

Rich rewards are yours if you can convince the King to give you high office. But how long can you stay in power? You may be placed under secret investigation at any time, only awaiting a dreaded Warrant of Arrest from the Lord President of the Council to send you to the Tower. If the Principal Secretary sends you to the rack, your entire faction could be implicated. Of course, you can avoid the plots that surround Henry by travelling to Europe, but if you are there when the King dies, all your influence is to no avail.

And where do you stand if the King demands a divorce?

Donning The Purple Print and Play

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Donning the Purple is a 1 – 3 player print and play game about political intrigue in ancient Rome. I have the physical kickstarter game and enjoy it as a solo endeavor.

Tactical Game X: Panzer Leader / Panzer Blitz Game Update

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Tactical Game X is a modern take on the classic Panzer Leader / Panzer Blitz games, which now are pushing fifty years old. They’re still great, though, and if you love them, you might want to take a look at Tactical Game X.

Maeshowe Solo Print and Play Game

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Maeshowe is a solo print and play game about tomb robbers in AD1150. From the game’s description:

According to the Orkneyinga Saga, Earl Rognvald Kali Kolsson broke into the chambered tomb of Maeshowe, on Orkney, in AD1150. In AD1153, Earl Harald Maddadson and a group of his men sheltered there during a snowstom. The sagas tell us that Rognvald found treasure there and that two of Harald’s men went mad. When the Victorians opened the tomb in 1861, they found Runic graffiti demonstrating that both of these episodes were based on real tomb-breaks. This game combines the two events from the 1150’s and casts you as Harald and Rognvald.

Th game uses standard playing cards (or you can print specialized cards) a board and a few tokens.

Sham Battle

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Along with H.G. Wells’ Little Wars, Sham Battle stands as one of the earliest examples of published miniatures gaming rules. You can see a copy online here.