"Armies of the Sixteenth Century" is published by Foundry Books; author is Ian Heath. Available from The Foundry, Hubert's Lane, Off Doyle Road, St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, GY 11 RG, UK. Library Number is ISBN. 1.901543 005.

A book by Ian Heath is always worth any historical gainer - or any historian come to that looking at. Wargamers who are interested in this colorful era should be very grateful to Foundry Books for publishing this one. Works on the 16th Century are not very, numerous. George Gush did a good one - and many years ago. Oman, of course, is the standard work, but Ian Heath's book is full of drawings and costume details, and colour details and flag details.

This is a tastefully produced hardback of A4 proportions. It has 160 pages and not one of them is wasted; there's no "padding" here. I'll give a run-down on the sections of the book to whet your appetite. Best thing: get hold of a copy and see for yourself

The book deals with the Armies of England, Scotland, Ireland, the United Provinces and the Spanish Netherlands 1487-1609, their organization, tactics, dress and weapons. There are 123 figure drawings and 105 flag diagrams.

After a short introduction Ian Heath begins with a "Note on Firearms". This is a brief glossary explaining the hand-held firearms of the period, covering the most common.

The next section gives you short resumes of the major battles of the period, forty in all. These give you enough information to recreate them or even use them for a campaign.

The armies sections starts with England 1487-1603 and the Army of 1544 (Henry VIII) with its small retinues and mercenaries. After the section on the Militia there are some very informative tables - again a boon to campaign creation. The next big consideration is "Organization under Queen Elizabeth (I)". There's an excellent command structure table on page 41 asking for a Role Play and "Diplomacy" game. Internecine strife!

Next comes "Guard units, henry VII to Elizabeth I". "The Northern Marches" come in for good coverage, as Scotland and the Auld Enemie bickered across the Borders, where law was your sword, spear and garron and your house had a stout tower and strong yelt to keep other thieves out. Artillery and tactics are covered with a good drawing of a "shoympe", of which Henry VIII had 50 at Boulogne in 1544. There's also a drawing of a "war wagon" very un-Hussite and shades of Leonardo da Vinci - who is actually mentioned. Then comes the excellent figures (i.e., drawings each with long descriptions with some indication of colorings where known). Ian Heath is not one to make things up. The section ends with flag diagrams and descriptions. Again where a colour is not known, a question mark is added to the one suggested.

Next "Scotland 1500-1603". Indications are given to how much his Grace the King's subjects had to provide for war depending on what they owned. 'Mere are sections on The French in Scotland (The Auld Alliance). Did you know in May 1548 the Scots army was reinforced by 1,000 horsemen and men at arms, 3,000 French infantry and 3,000 Landsknechts plus artillery commanded by Andre de Montalembert, Seigneur d' Esse'? Well, ya do now! A few Frenchmen were still to be found at the Battle of Langside 1568. The Borders - East, Middle and West Marches - have a substantial section. The Scots always liked artillery and there's a section on that. Tactics are well covered and then come the drawings with good descriptions. Flags and a section of notes on the text end that 'chapter.'

"Ireland 1487-1603". This follows the format. I'm interested in the appearance of the use of the word 'mere' meaning pure (Latin "merus" = pure) because Queen Elizabeth I used the word, I think at Tilbury describing herself as "merely English" - meaning "pure English" of course. Living in DaIriada as I do (Argyll) I'm very interested in the Irish armies. I have just relinquished a 15mm Frei Korps army and I have a few examples of Redoubt's kern and galloglaich in 25mm. I hope the Foundry will produce some 28mm examples eventually - enough aside. Organization and costs are well covered and "Scottish Mercenaries" from the Western Isles - Redshanks. More chances for court intrigue, diplomacy and murder for Tony Bath-ites amongst us. The English Garrison is covered plus Irishmen and Polesmen in English service. Drawings and flags with notes end the section ('Chapter').

"The United Provinces 1566-1609". William the Silent, Prince of Orange and his army - or confederation more like are laid out simply for you (read "William the Silent" by C.V. Wedgwood, publisher Jonathan Cape for a very readable biography). The layout follows the preceding format and covers the army under Maurice of Nassau - who succeeded to command on William's assassination, and it's organization. Foreign troops, Scots, English, Germans and Huguenots (French Protestants). Artillery and tactics and sieges come before the excellent drawings, ending with flags and notes on the text.

"The Spanish Netherlands 1556-1609" - The Bandes D'Ordonnance and the Army of Flanders have a section each, and organization is covered clearly and well, a table helping this on page 129. "Tercios" are explained very well. Non-Spanish troops are covered next. Italians, Albanians (an exotic group - speaking Greek!), Burgundians, Germans, Walloons and British. "Mutinies" also rates a section owing to the Spanish inability to pay punctually. "Manjana" got the Spaniards endless trouble. "Artillery" and "Tactics" are then treated; tactics particularly well. Then come the drawings, descriptions, flags and notes on the text. There is an appendix of "Sixteenth Century Artillery" putting "this Greate Sponge" into perspective; of added interest are contemporary prints of "Greate Gonnes." Finally a massive bibliography ends the book.

A really tremendous addition to wargames literature and well worth having. The price 24.95 pounds plus postage and handling. If you can't afford it, make sure your club can or order it from your local library giving them the ISBM shown at the start of the review. One further point; Ian says in his introduction that it's a good idea for those with an interest in the period to join THE PIKE AND SHOT SOCIETY. Membership Secretary is Ian Wilson, 66, Westbury Rd., Coundon, Coventry, CV5 8HY, UK. Their journal is THE ARQUEBUSIER.