“Here I stand. I can do no other.”

Words attributed to Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms, 1521

A welcoming global community for lovers of historical strategy games — from seasoned veterans to complete beginners. Whether you're here to learn, organise a friendly game, or compete for a title, you belong here. We track results and run tournaments for Here I Stand, Virgin Queen and Tanto Monta — the acclaimed series by Ed Beach (GMT Games) — but above all we're here to have fun, share a passion for history, and play great games together.

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— Players with recorded games
— Nations at the table
3 Games: HIS · VQ · TM
1470–1598 A century and more of history

Where the community lives

Join our WhatsApp community

Our main and preferred communication channel is WhatsApp. We strongly recommend all players join the group — it's where games are organised, tournament news breaks, strategies are discussed, and the community lives. Don't miss out!

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From the federation

Latest news

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Players from around the world

Our Global Community

Players from around the world playing HIS, VQ and TM

The series

The Games

HIS

1517–1555 · The Age of Reformation

Here I Stand

The defining political, religious and military struggle of the early 16th century. Six great powers clash across Europe for supremacy. Luther's Reformation shakes papal authority, the Ottomans sweep into the Balkans, Spain conquers the Americas, and England and France manoeuvre for dynastic advantage. Every card played, every battle fought is a step toward victory — or ruin. The game that started it all.

Ottomans Hapsburg England France Papacy Protestants
6 players Up to 9 turns 6–9 hours Ed Beach
GMT Store
VQ

1559–1598 · The Elizabethan Age

Virgin Queen

The acclaimed sequel to HIS, covering the second half of a turbulent century. The Spanish Armada sails, the Dutch revolt against Habsburg rule, the French Wars of Religion tear a kingdom apart, and England rises as a maritime power. Six powers navigate espionage, piracy, New World exploration and royal succession in one of the most dramatic eras of European history. New mechanics, same epic scope.

Ottomans Spain England France HRE Protestants
6 players Up to 7 turns 6–9 hours Ed Beach
GMT Store
TM

1470–1516 · The Iberian Peninsula

Tanto Monta

Named for the motto of Los Reyes Católicos — Ferdinand and Isabella — this game captures the decisive era in which a unified Spain was forged. Muslims, Portugal, Spain and France compete for dominance of the Iberian Peninsula in the fateful decades that preceded Columbus's voyage and the beginning of Europe's global expansion. A tightly balanced four-power struggle full of diplomatic intrigue and shifting alliances.

Muslims Portugal Spain France
4 players Up to 7 turns 6–9 hours Carlos Díaz & Ed Beach
GMT Store

Governance

IHISF Council

The council members who govern the federation

Chun Yik Lim
Jason Leggett
Peter Tierney
Aaron Lipka
Aaron Friberg
Davide Piazzoli
Luis Rubio
John Riston
Justin Rice
Jamie Lear

Resources

Links

Community channels, the tools we play with, and the rules, manifests and FAQs worth keeping to hand.

Join the Community

HIS & VQ WhatsApp Groupchat.whatsapp.com Tanto Monta WhatsApp Groupchat.whatsapp.com Reivers & Reformers (Facebook Group)facebook.com

Tools & Software

CASTLECard-based Asynchronous Strategy & Tactical Log Engine ACTSAutomated Card Tracking System Vassal Enginevassalengine.org Vassal Module – Here I Standvassalengine.org Vassal Module – Virgin Queenvassalengine.org

Rules

Here I Stand – Rules (2023)PDF · GMT Games Virgin Queen – Living Rules (2024)PDF Tanto Monta – RulesPDF · GMT Games

Card Manifests

HIS Card Manifestrozzwell.com VQ Card Manifestrozzwell.com TM Card Manifestrozzwell.com

FAQ

Here I Stand – FAQGoogle Docs Virgin Queen – FAQGoogle Docs

The standings

Ranking

Every recorded game moves the ratings. Choose a title, then search, filter by country or narrow the period.

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The record

Games

Every table played under the federation, finished or still under way.

Find a Game

By the numbers

Statistics

Who wins, how, and when: the whole archive of the federation, read faction by faction.

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Learn the game

Help & Game Guide

Competition

Tournaments

Leagues, cups and opens organised by the federation.

Your record

My stats

Register new game

Administration

User management

Administration

Activity Log

Your account

My profile

Administration

Registration requests

Honours

Achievements

Administration

Upcoming birthdays

Game

Player profile

Tournament

Achievement