Whenever I sit down to start a new army, I always like to start with research on the army and its era. A handy practice I've found to stimulate research and concentrate your findings in one place is to start a spiral notebook for the army. In my notebooks I collect all the relevant material I can gather on my army's composition, historical tactics and appearance. I then add notes as I game the army, creating a sort of "living history" of the army.

This approach is particularly handy when it comes time to paint up the troops, because before I set brush to figure I have collected all of the material I can find on the army's appearance and organized a painting plan to produce the army's historical appearance. Since I have recently completed a new Burgundian Ordonnance army (WRG list 180), I thought I would share this method that I have found so useful.

The basic requirement for creating an army notebook is the notebook itself. These can be found in the stationary section of most department or drug stores, or any office supplies store. I like the type which come with pockets built in, so I can keep pre-written army list forms in the notebook, ready for my next game.

My starting place for filling in my ancients army notebooks is the army list itself. I usually start the book with copies of the relevant WRG, NASAMW and other army lists covering the army in question. This saves having to drag out the book if you have a quick question during a game.

I next try to compile as many sources as possible containing material on the army. This is then condensed into a bibliography, so I know which sources I consulted or plan to consult. A good method in unearthing sources is to use the bibliographies or sources cited in magazine articles or other books on your period. I'm not going to go into the relative merits of primary versus secondary sources, but in general I've found that the more sources you can uncover, the better feel you'll have for the period and the more valid your research will be.

After compiling a bibliography, I try to locate as many of the sources as possible. As I go through them, I make notes on everything of interest. particularly information on dress/costume (essential for painting), army composition (it helps when putting together a list) and tactics/battles (using historical tactics is not only the best way to enjoy the historical aspect of gaming, its also often the most successful approach).

Once the data gathering is complete, I compile my notes in a coherent manner by section within the notebooks. The sections can vary depending on the material uncovered, but at least I always have research sections on:

Painting Plan
Army Composition
Tactics & Battles

To separate the sections I use index tabs, which are available from any office supply and many drug stores. I like the gummed variety, which fold over and attach to the end of the page. These allow me to flip easily to the section desired without a lot of page flipping to find it. 

I generally tend to work on completing the painting plan data first, so I can get started on the painting while continuing work on the remainder. I find the research stimulates my desire to paint, and let's face it, painting a new army takes strong motivation and a significant time commitment.

Once I have completed all of the above, I usually have about the last half or third of the notebook remaining unfilled. This is the area I use to create a record of the army's history. I try to note each game played using the army, the result (even if I'd rather forget), new tactics tried and their results, and any lessons learned from the encounter. I find this creates a great study tool when preparing for a game, and aids significantly in mastering the art of fighting an army to its maximum potential.

As well as the overall performance of the army, I also notate the exceptional performance, both heroic and cowardly, of any units which distinguish themselves. Over time, this allows units to develop personalities of their own. My Sassanid levy spearmen, for example, have failed only three waiver tests in their entire (47 games) career. The Royal Cataphracts, during this same period, failed 17 waiver tests and NEVER once rolled up in melee. Needless to say. Shapur's palace is generally guarded scruffy-looking levies with long spears, not polished, gleaming cataphracts!

I have spent many an enjoyable evening going back over my armies' histories, reliving their ups and downs, my stupid mistakes and moves of brilliance, the types of tactics which worked and those other noble failures, etc. From time to time I get a hold of additional material, and add this in to the varying sections, perhaps modifying or clarifying some of my conclusions.

Overall, I have found the creation and maintenance of an army notebook to add significantly to my enjoyment of our hobby. While I developed the process for my ancient armies, I have found it applies equally well for the other periods I game as well. If it sounds at all interesting, try it. You'll soon develop your own style and approach, and I bet you'll find that it adds to your enjoyment level as well.