Highs and lows...

Dr Smollett called upon Duke Peter this afternoon. The celebrated author and physician found the Duke to be in good health considering yesterday's surgery. Duke Peter was well enough to hear about Dr Smollett's latest novel based upon the ups and down of life in the Stagonian Court. It will no doubt be another salacious and scurrilous tale quipped Duke Peter to Smollett,who smiled quietly and drank deeply of his wine.
Meanwhile in the palace dungeon the young prisoner was shown a gift given by the Emperor of China to Duke Peter's late father - the Chinese torture chair. The mere sight of it was enough to loosen the tongue of the prisoner who rambled on and on about vile Stagonians, a character called Von Bergmann and a woman in black. Half an hour later ,still rambling on and on ,the prisoner was thrown into the deepest dungeon to await his fate...

Surgery

Only by the timely intervention by the Ducal Surgeon ( a low German fellow by all accounts ) was the life of Duke Peter saved. He had been feeling unwell during Sunday service and had to be rushed to his private apartments. There, with in attendance only Wilhelm ,the Duke's brother, was surgery performed by the aforementioned doctor. The Duke is said to be recovering excellently in the company of his faithful hound and with his beloved gallery of painting of KarlXII aiding mind and spirit...

This concludes a rather vexing few days for Duke Peter as on Saturday he survived an assassination attempt by a mysterious youth ( working in the Palace kitchens) who was discovered adding Deadly Nightshade to the Duke's breakfast. The wretched young man is being questioned at this very moment within the Palace Dungeons. The hussars continue to pray for the Duke's recovery and their hymns can be heard rising heavenwards from the camp near by.

Huzzah for the Hussars!

Will's hussars have arrived safely- thanks Will.They will form the first unit I will paint up for the Saschen-Vindow Ducal army. I have 2 squadrons of 10 figures to paint. I have not been successful with my last attempt to paint plastic figures . What advice would you give me? The figures have come with some of them undercoated in white. It seems to flake easily. I look forward to your ideas...

Camp

The Army of the Duchy of Saschen-Vindow will gather in the camp being prepared for them by the Duke's pioneers. The camp is near Duke Peter's castle and will be an occasion for the annual Review of the Army prior to the arrival of Winter.

It will be a chance for us,dear reader, to discover more regarding the forces available to the Duchy...

Tracts for the times?

The first squadron of the Saschen-Vindow hussars has been causing concern once more to Duke Peter. Loyal subjects of the Duke ( a staunch Lutheran by conviction as well by family tradition) have brought to his notice the Pietist tracts handed out left,right and centre by hussars as they cross the Duchy. Duke Peter is an ardent admirer of the late KarlXII of Sweden and cannot abide the propaganda put about by the pietists here in Saschen-Vindow and in Sweden. No doubt a stern word will be needed in season when Wilhelm arrives...

Out of character...

I am awaiting some hussars from Will. They will form two squadrons of the first unit of the Saschen-Vindow army. I am looking forward to seeing the figures and deciding upon uniform colours. Hopefully they will arrive over the weekend and I can get started. I am still undecided upon the best undercoating for these gallant plastic chaps...

Contents of a despatch...

"Wilhelm,brother of Duke Peter, will be bringing two squadrons of his Huzzar regiment to camp in the castle grounds within the next few days. It is hoped that they will take the opportunity for exercise of body, mind and spirit..."

An accident?

Duke Peter was in the habit of taking a morning walk around the lakeside at dawn. He ,as ever ,was accompanied by his two faithful deer hounds. The walk had started in the usual fashion when a calamity struck! A stone gargoyle in the shape of a griffin ( an heraldic beast that features in the Coat of Arms of the Duchy) plunged from the castle roof and narrowly missed Duke Peter! After calming his dogs, the Duke carefully removed the gargoyle dust from his coat and carried on with the walk. Surely an unfortunate accident had occurred?

Welcome ...

Welcome to The Duchy of Saschen-Vindow! Follow the ongoing story of Duke Peter and his small Duchy adjacent to the Duchy of Tradgardland. Visitors are most welcome and ambassadors are urged to present their credentials to the Duke at his lakeside palace...