Diceni Wargaming Show Norwich 2023

Hello There! There was a show last week at the Forum in Norwich called Diceni. It is held in the entrance hall of the forum and includes many different forms of wargaming and gaming, including Historical.

The New Buckenham Historical Wargamers were asked to put a game on and as it had a local connection they did a small part of Ketts Rebellion when Norwich fell to Robert Kett, a member of the minor gentry, after a previous attempt at taking the city had failed.

Considering the small venue the show had a very good turnout with the public showing a lot of interest in the games

The game by the New Buckenham Historical Wargamers included the club scenery and some newly scratch built city walls which held two of the old gates of Norwich

Norwich was then the second largest city in the country, next to London, so the seizure of it by the rebels represented a big gain in their position 

The club display included a small display case which held figures from other periods of history that the club wargames.

Proof that the sun does not just shine on the 'righteous'!

The game was full of small vignettes and farm animals which moved round during the game, which the public were invited to participate in.

The ubiquitous flock of sheep were also included which have now appeared in many games at the club over many centuries of warfare!

Some of the walls were manned by various figures to show off the clubs painting talents

The local clergy were also involved in placating the rebels

The Government forces which managed to enter the city to try and take back control

There were plenty of baggage and carts on show which remind me |I have plans for a feature for WSS on logistics in wargames. 

Further photos are here but there follows a brief description of the game:

These actions were all based on real events within the medieval walls of Tudor Norwich, including the Royal army's assault and breaking in of the St. Stephen's and Brazen gates, and then the many bloody brawls within the streets and alleys of England's then second city as the Royal troops fought to regain control by taking the market place in the centre ; and unfortunately losing a number of their cannon to a rebel counter-attack as they cleared the city! This second, larger, Royal army under the Earl of Warwick eventually defeated and routed the rebel host on Dussindale heath. The first Royal army, under Northampton, had been driven from the City a month before, when there had been more bloody fighting for various gatehouses and throughout the city.