16th to 18th October 2026 Cranfield University England
Greetings Chris,
The annual Society Convention is a weekend residential gathering held in the autumn in the UK (so far), and is a chance for wargamers and those interested in military history to gather and share ideas and enjoy new wargames rules and ideas with like-minded wargamers. There are various ticket options with or without residential accommodation.
The 2026 Society of Ancients Convention will this year take place at Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL over the weekend 16th-18th October 2026.
We are delighted to say we are able to maintain the prices from last year, as follows:
· Full weekend package: Friday dinner, bed and breakfast; Saturday lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast; Sunday lunch; plus all teas/coffees – £290
· Conference package: Saturday lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast; Sunday lunch; plus all teas/coffees – £200
· Single Day only Saturday: includes Saturday lunch; plus all teas/coffees – £40
· Single Day only Sunday: includes Sunday lunch; plus all teas/coffees – £40
The Convention is an opportunity to participate in a plethora of battles using a variety of both new and well-worn rulesets. In many cases, the rules authors and various experts are on hand for discussion.
Our Keynote Speaker this year is Anne Curry, Emeritus Professor of Medieval History at the University of Southampton and the author of several books on Medieval history including her Agincourt: A New History which re-shaped views of the battle. At our Convention her subject will be I counted them all out and I counted them all back: The problem of numbers in late medieval battles.
Games already confirmed include:
· A refight of the battle of Dara 530 AD from Simon MacDowall using his new version of his Comitatus rules which are being officially launched at the Convention.
· Nick Harbud is staging his The Day After Cunaxa so you can find out what (may have) happened next after this years Battle Day battle
· And I will run another Romans in Britannia adventure, with possibly some returning characters from those who survived last years bloody denouement
As usual, a full programme of events and games will be published nearer the date.
Booking is now open on the Society website <soa.org.uk/convention/> or by cheque sent to the Treasurer made payable to the Society of Ancients. Please note that bookings must be made by 31st August. After that date we cannot guarantee that places will be available.
If you have a game for the Convention and for all other enquiries, please email Convention@soa.org.uk <mailto:Convention@soa.org.uk> .
See you there!
Richard Lockwood
Other Society of Ancients News
Come visit the Society of Ancients at the following shows:
· Attack! <ddwg.org.uk/?page_id=341> at Devizes, 18-19th July.
· Colours <www.nrwc.org.uk/demo-participation> at Newbury, 5th September.
· Warfare <wargamesreading.co.uk/warfare-2026/> at Farnborough, 14-15th November.
· SquareBASH! <www.formsquaregames.com/squarebash> – at the Europa Gatwick Hotel, 29th-31st January 2027.
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