I can't believe I haven't listed these yet

Slowly over time, I have been collecting historical films.
So far I have:
Barry Lyndon
Robin Hood (2010)
Rob Roy: for me, by far the best sword fight ever!
Braveheart (a good story but not historical)
Master and Commander: pretty interesting view of boarding fighting ships
Horatio Hornblower, interesting series of films,
The Trench,
Saving Private Ryan: the only thing to mar this flick is dispariging remarks about the British and Canadians. We took most of our objectives that day, advancing farthest of all the allies.
The Last Samurai: a little slight interpretation, it was the French not the Americans who helped the Japanese fight
Revolution
The Scarlet Letter (1994)
Last of the Mohicans (1992)

Historical Literature which I can't get enough of

A ways back, I mentioned Bernard Cromwell. My posting may mislead readers into thinking I do no care for his work. On the contrary, I devour all of his Sharpe novels.
I recently bought Sharpe's Battle, which I will begin reading shortly. My reading habits generally follow a pattern. I will read all of the books of a series which I have, then I will begin reading another series. (Eventually in the fall of 2018, I sold all of my Sharpe novels to my former Battery Sgt Major from the Halifax Citadel)
For example, I have read all of Julian Stockwin's Kydd novels. Being stuck in Japan, this is a close as I will get to reenacting. I plan to collect all of his works until he stops writing.
Cromwell's Sharpe series likewise, I will slowly collect.
The only series which I couldn't really tuck into was the Master and Commander series by O'Brien. I think it was the fact that he was writing his work from the perspective of an officer which put me off.
I admire officers, but not the 18th century high society types.
The Horatio Hornblower series I have not read, but I did collect the first four films of that series.

(Ian with some of our Pirate and sailor books. Thanks to Julian Stockwin for his works)

The other series which I have read is the Harry Potter novels and I also collected the films. As well the Osprey Military books I also collect. I may soon have to ship some of my books home.

To add ambiance to our bedroom, I have a poster of Bluenose II on my wall.

 And Ian has two pirate ships in our bedroom window sill to add his own touch.

I read before I go to bed. It helps calm my mind from all of the stresses of life. (Command card courtsey of Julian Stockwin)

Battle of Barossa 1811

The Battle of Barossa 5^th March, 1811

RA: Maj. Duncan 10 guns

Wheatley’s Bde: 28^th Foot, 67^th Foot, 87^th Foot

Dilkes’ Bde: 1^st Foot Guards, Composite Battn 2^nd/3^rd Foot Guards, 2coys 95^th

Brown’s Light Battn: Light Companies of 9^th, 28^th, 82^nd   VS   

French Army

1eme Bde Ruffin                            2eme Bde Leval

9eme du Linge                              8emeX 2

24eme X 2,                                 54eme X 2                                

96eme                                     45eme

Les Grenadiers 1 battn                       Les Grenadiers 1 battn

3eme Bde Artillery: 3 guns

The refight 8/6/12

This was made into a video clip posted on youtube.

The battle began with the French drawing cards first to begin. Leval’s brigade quickly established themselves in the wood. The British began the game by advancing on Barrosa ridge. The Light Infantry brigade hit first but were unable to stand up to the French line’s volleys. The Royal Artillery was unable to make any headway during the game. The French guns amazingly destroyed the RA and the French took a gamble and charged a battery. They captured these guns. Wheatley's Brigade were unable to regain the momentum despite clearing Leval’s brigade from the woods but these were challenged by Ruffin sending in extra troops. As Dilke’s attempted to hit Barrosa ridge, the French charged down. The British morale collapsed and the line fled. The French won this battle.

Historical fiction that gets it wrong!

When I tuck into a historical fiction novel, one written in the time period I enjoy (1690-1815) nothing bugs me more than an author who just didn't put that little extra bit of research into making sure he/she has gotten the terms right.

For example, I'm reading Phantom Ships, an English translation of a French-Canadian novel set in the Seven Years War in Atlantic Canada. Every time the dialogue mentions "rifles" I want to through the book out the window. French Canadians, and the majority of British and Colonial American soldiers used MUSKETS up until about 1840.
Now, it may be that the translator got it wrong, but then again, the author may have used the French word for rifle and the translator just copied it into the English version.

It's like when I read Bernard Cromwell's "Redcoat" novel. It went along great until he mentions the British army marching into Philadelphia wearing "Shakos"!
British soldiers according to the 1768 clothing pattern wore Tricorns if Battalion/Hat companies or Bearskin Grenadier caps if Grenadier companies. Then you had the Light Infantry companies who wore a short cap while Highland Regiments wore bonnets.

It's the little details that really can through off a readers image of a good book.